Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 13 vs Storm

The Melbourne side showed why they’re a top four side this season, outscoring Manly ten tries to two in what turned out to be a one-sided affair.

Manly had first use of the ball but threw it away almost immediately with an error. Melbourne prop K-Ci Newton-Whare capitalised in the second minute after breaking through the defence with a strong run to score for a 6-0 lead.

Sea Eagles’ captain Broden Konz pulled his side back into the match with a try five minutes later. The lock took a simple pass from the ruck, spun out of a tackle and grounded the ball to level the scores at 6-all.

The scores were tied for eight minutes before the visitors ran rampant, scoring four tries in an 18-minute period to propel to a hefty 26-6 lead at the break.

Manly were denied tries on two separate occasions in the first five minutes of the second half, with the referee ruling that the ball wasn’t grounded on both occasions.

Melbourne capitalised on the home side’s continued misfortunes en route to four more tries in 23 minutes for a 46-6 scoreline.

Manly centre Benjamin O’Keefe scored a late consolation try in the 74th minute to soften the blow. O’Keefe broke through the defence and raced 35 metres to score in the right corner, cutting the deficit to 46-12.

The Storm brought up their half century with a try on the stroke of full-time for a final scoreline of 52-12.

The Sea Eagles travel up the coast to take on the Newcastle Knights in round 14 of the Jersey Flegg Cup on Saturday June 7, 1pm, at the Newcastle Knights Centre of Excellence.