Match Report: NSW Cup R1 v Raiders

Manly also welcomed home former centre Josh Feledy from the Wests Tigers and half-back Zach Dockar-Clay from the Sydney Roosters.

Promising youngster in Manly junior Braith Alexander, the son of Greg Alexander, made his NSW Cup debut for the Sea Eagles at full-back.

The Sea Eagles got off to a flying start with a fine try in the corner to new winger in former Bulldogs’ NRL player Blake Wilson in the second minute for a 4-0 lead.

A perfect inside ball from half-back Dockar-Clay saw prop Paul Bryan crash over next to the posts for a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes.

The Raiders opened their account when winger Sione Finau defused a crossfield kick from half-back Coby Black before Feledy pounced on a well-timed grubber kick to make it 16-6.

Some entertaining play from the Raiders down the right flank caught the Sea Eagles napping, resulting in a try to hooker Owen Pattie off a grubber kick for a 16-12 scoreline after 45 minutes.

Dockar-Clay then split the defence to race downfield to send Zaidas Muagututia over for a 22-12 lead before Finau scored his second to reduce the margin to six.

Manly hooker and captain Brandon Wakeham gave the Sea Eagles some comfort when he put up a kick for winger Navren Willett to score from a Raiders fumble for a 28-16 lead.

Canberra centre Chevy Stewart dived over for a soft try from dummy half for a 28-22 scoreline.

The Raiders then set up a grandstand finish with a 78th minute try to Shaun Packer for a for a 28-26 scoreline.

To the sound of heavy booing, the Raiders failed to convert the try to level the scores after the siren, giving the Sea Eagles a well-deserved win.

The Sea Eagles now play the Newcastle Knights in round two at 4 Pines Park on Sunday, March 15, at 1.45pm, prior to the NRL match.