Match Report: Round 11 vs Cowboys

It was an eventful first half that saw both teams with scoring opportunities, Jake Trbojevic left heavily concussed, Jazz Tevaga pass a HIA, with a 6-6 score-line after 40 minutes.

The Sea Eagles almost scored a length of the field try in their very first set from the kick off. 

A break by Ethan Bullemor provided the opportunity with Tom Trbojevic unable to handle a poor pass inside from Lehi Hopoate.

Tevaga was the first Manly player to leave the field involuntarily, sent for a HIA after a split above his cheekbone from a head clash. The nuggety Kiwi was passed fit to return and was a dominant force in the middle.

A minute or so later his team posted first points of the match when winger Jason Saab finished off a near length of the field effort. 

After pressuring the Cowboys defence into an error, Haumole Olakau’atu scooped up the loose ball and raced 50 metres before sending Saab on his way to the line.

The game was brought to a stop 25 minutes into the first half when Jake Trbojevic was left heavily concussed after a collision with the shoulder of Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi. The NSW captain did not return.

The Cowboys continued to pressure the Sea Eagles line and almost found their first try only to be denied by some great scrambling defence from Turbo and Cherry-Evans, the later dislodging the ball with his boot before it was grounded.

The Cowboys crossed for their first and only try in the 32nd minute when winger Robert Derby scored in the corner, after a dropped ball by Tolu Koula in the preceding set.

The Cowboys missed a penalty attempt at goal just ahead of half time after Reuben Garrick tackled a player off the ball, to leave the scores level after 40 minutes.

The Sea Eagles were first to cross after the break, about five minutes into the second half, when Saab latched onto a neat Cherry-Evans cross-field kick to bag his second of the night.

It came following a strong run through the middle from substitute forward Corey Waddell.

Garrick landed the conversion from the sideline to put his team up 12-6

Manly looked to be in again not long after Saab's aerial effort when Caleb Navale cut a path through the middle only for Turbo to drop the pass with the try line in sight.

The Cowboys went back on the attack and almost scored after Olakau’atu was penalised and put on report for dangerous contact. 

The right edge wrecking ball clipped the head of Cowboys winger Murray Tuilagi with his foot while trying to free himself from the tackle. 

The visitors went up 14-6 with about 15 minutes to play when Garrick slotted a penalty goal after Cowboys hooker Reece Robson was pinged for off-side.

Manly gave themselves a 14-point buffer with about 10 minutes to play when Lehi Hopoate found himself on the end of a nice shift to the left involving Luke Brooks and Cherry-Evans, with Koula providing the finishing pass.

The match-sealing try for Manly came with about four minutes to play when Ben Trbojevic powered through to earn a well-deserved four-pointer in his best match of the season so far.

The result secured Manly their second win over the Cowboys this season, and fourth win from four games at QCB Stadium.

The Sea Eagles play the Parramatta Eels for a second time this season when they meet at CommBank Stadium on Friday night.