Match Report: NSW Cup Round 22 vs Roosters

The curtain-raiser to the NRL fixture showed glimpses of promise for the home side who held the lead after 37 minutes, but struggled to get back into the fight.

Manly scored the first and last try of the match but suffered on the flip side, conceding three tries in a 13-minute span on either side of the break to fall to an eight-point loss.

Despite the loss, the Sea Eagles still sit two points above the last-placed Rabbitohs' side after their disappointing 52-4 loss this round. 

Manly kicked off the match in fine fashion with a try after five minutes through Michael Chee Kam to take an early lead.

A switch to the short side and a smart grubber kick through the defensive line by Joey Walsh found Chee Kam who burst through to score untouched, taking a 6-point lead.

The wet weather proved to be costly for the visitors as they turned over possession set after set. Despite getting deep into the Sea Eagles' half, they weren't able to capitalise with the ball being too slippery in the rain.

Simple hit-ups seemed to be the way to go as both teams played to the conditions for the remainder of the half.

The Roosters took advantage of a Manly mishap in their own half to score on the stroke of half-time through Xavier Va'a for a 6-all scoreline. 

The Roosters started the second half with strong intent, scoring tries in the 43rd and 52nd minute for an 18-6 scoreline.

A conceded penalty deep in their own half gifted the Roosters an easy shot at two points, which was converted to push the lead out to 20-6 with 13 minutes to play.

Manly were on the back foot and looked to concede another that would all but confirm defeat, if not for an intercept in the 69th minute by Navren Willett.

The winger burst out of the defensive line, latched onto the ball and streaked 75 metres downfield to score under the posts for a 20-12 scoreline. 

The Sea Eagles fell short of a comeback in the final ten minutes, confirming an eight-point defeat.

The Sea Eagles host the Newcastle Knights in Round 23 of the NSW Cup at 4 Pines Park next weekend.