Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have suffered a 10-point defeat today in round 12 of the NSW Cup, going down to the Parramatta Eels 36-26 at Kellyville Park.
Match: Eels v Sea Eagles
Round 12 -
home Team
Eels
3rd Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
Venue: Kellyville Park, Kellyville
Five tries to the home side in a 25-minute period proved to be too much for the Sea Eagles to fight back from as they slipped to their seventh defeat of the season.
The two sides traded possession in the opening five minutes. The Sea Eagles were set back momentarily when prop D’Jazirhae Pua’avase was sin-binned for high contact, leaving his side with 12 players for the time being.
The home side capitalised with a try one minute later through Te Hurinui Twidle for an early 6-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles didn’t take long to reply and bounced back quickly with a try to Jordan Swann in the 16th minute. The centre used his speed and strength to fool defence for a well deserved try in the corner, cutting the deficit to 6-4.
It was end-to-end football for the next ten minutes, with both sides surging downfield with strong attack.
Parramatta finally cracked through Manly’s tiresome defence, with tries in the 24th and 33rd minute for an 18-6 scoreline at half-time.
Three tries in the first ten minutes of the second half saw the Eels shoot out to a 32-6 lead.
Sea Eagles’ full-back Clayton Faulalo sliced through the right side defence with a smart dummy pass to score in the 55th minute and cut the deficit to 32-12.
Momentum continued to build for Manly as they scored again two minutes later through Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega. A quick shift to the right edge and a smart cut-out ball by Faulalo freed up space for the winger to crash over in the corner for a 32-16 scoreline.
Manly’s chances were cut short when Volkman scored for the home side in the 65th minute, pushing their lead back out to 36-16.
The Sea Eagles scored two consolation in the last ten minutes to help their points difference.
A spectacular off-load by hooker Zaidas Muagututia that flicked over the head of a Parramatta defender sent Tommy Talau over in the corner in the 70th minute.
Faulalo bagged his second try of the match on the stroke of full-time after taking a good pass from Joey Walsh, who freed up enough space for him to dive over untouched. Brandon Wakeham converted for a final scoreline of 36-26
The Sea Eagles host the North Sydney Bears in round 13 of the NSW Cup on Saturday May 31, 5:15pm, at 4 Pines Park.
