Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup R1 vs Raiders

Under new Coach Chris Cotty, the Sea Eagles team featured four Manly juniors in pathways players Amyn Hamilton, Benji Keene-O’Keefe, Charlie Boyle, and Tom Klem.

Cotty wanted to see plenty of energy and resilience in defence and his team did just that early in the first half to take an 18-10 lead into the break.

However, things quickly changed with the Raiders crossing for five consecutive second half tries to take the two competition points.

The Sea Eagles got off to a dream start after centre Keene-O'Keefe defused a cross field kick in the third minute for a 6-0 lead.

Canberra responded quickly with two tries in six minutes to winger Sylas Simon and centre Luke Tuialii for a 10-6 lead after 14 minutes.

After some desperate scrambling defence on their line, the Sea Eagles capitalised when a smart grubber kick from hooker Billy Thompson saw forward Francis Tuimauga dive on the ball to score for a 12-10 lead after 30 minutes.

Manly extended their lead to 18-10 at half-time following a converted try to Boyle after the five-eighth stepped his way to the line.

Boyle got Manly off to a superb start to the second half through a pinpoint perfect kick for half-back Cameron Robertson to score for a 24-10 lead after 42 minutes.

Just like the repeat of the first half, Canberra crossed for two tries in seven minutes through lock Malachi Smith and centre Cooper Johnston to trail 24-20 after 56 minutes.

The Raiders made it three straight tries to take a 26-24 lead with 20 minutes remaining through a try out wide to captain Braydan Darmody.

Canberra then crossed twice to make it five tries in 20 minutes after Smith and Simon each scored their second for a 38-24 lead with 11 minutes left.

The Sea Eagles stopped the Raiders’ momentum when Boyle combined with centre Mitchell Heather for the former Penrith player to cross in the corner for a 38-30 scoreline.

Manly full-back Will Herbert showed plenty of exciting moments with the ball and capped a fine game off with five goals from five attempts.

The Sea Eagles return to 4 Pines Park on Sunday, March 15, at 12pm against the Newcastle Knights in the first game of a triple header.