Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have suffered a disappointing 20-point defeat to the Kaiviti Silktails, going down 36-16 in round 24 of the Jersey Flegg Cup at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji.
Match: Silktails v Sea Eagles
Round 24 -
home Team
Silktails
14th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
12th Position
Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka
The home side were just too good on the day, capitalising on errors and playing to their strengths to outscore the Sea Eagles seven tries to three.
Lautoka's weather, with high temperature, rain and humidity, proved difficult for the Sea Eagles, who flew into the country on Friday.
Defeat sees the Manly remain in 12th place for the time being, with the Rabbitohs having a chance to jump depending on their results this round.
The Silktails' shocked the Sea Eagles with a charge down try by Seru Kalounivalu in the fourth minute to take an early 6-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles switched into gear to score their first of the match. A quick shift through the hands and a timed pass to beat the opposing winger saw Oliver Lawry score in the corner to level the scores at 6-all in the 14th minute.
Strong runs from the determined Fijian side found them deep in Manly's half. A chip kick on the last tackle sat in the watery in-goal area for Maikeli Ratukabu to dive on, giving his side a 10-6 lead with 19 minutes played.
Errors by the Sea Eagles' in their own half proved costly, with the Silktails' capitalising to score in the 27th and 31st minute to push their lead out to 18-6.
Manly utilised their strengths and passed the ball through the line quickly to form gaps in the opposition's defence. A final pass by Max Hayley saw Lawry fly over in the corner to score his second of the match in the 37th minute for an 18-10 scoreline at half-time.
Poor defence by the Sea Eagles and determination from the Silktails saw the latter score their fifth of the match through Wanisi in the 52nd minute to take their lead to 24-10.
Tries to the home side in the 62nd and 69th minute pushed their lead out to 24 points with just over ten minutes to play.
Manly bagged a consolation try in the final stages of the match. Captain Broden Konz took a pass metres out from the line and dummied the ball out wide before spinning out of a tackle and scoring under the posts to cut the deficit to 34-16.
A late penalty to the Silktails saw them convert a penalty goal from in front of the posts for a final scoreline of 36-16.
The Sea Eagles travel to Victoria to take on the Melbourne Storm in round 25 of the Jersey Flegg Cup.
