Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have suffered their heaviest loss of the season in the NSW Cup with a 52-12 defeat to St George-Illawarra Dragons in Wollongong.
Match: Dragons v Sea Eagles
Round 6 -
home Team
Dragons
1st Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
13th Position
Venue: Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong
The Dragons totally dominated the first half to run in five tries to one to lead 30-6 at half-time at Collegians Sporting Complex before adding four more in the second.
It was the opposite of the last two weeks for Manly after the Sea Eagles were in the games at half-time before a second half collapse.
Unfortunately for Manly, it was their fourth straight loss in five games.
The Sea Eagles were boosted by the return of Clayton Faulalo and Josh Feledy from the NRL team as well as Tex Hoy and Nathan Brown from injury and illness respectively.
The fifth-placed Dragons opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Tyler Peckham-Harris after the Dragons broke through the middle to score a long range try for a 6-0 lead.
Half-back Kade Reed crossed under the posts for a 12-0 lead in the 16th minute after backing up in support from a break down the left edge.
The Dragons scored their third three minutes later through Jarrah Treweek after he dived over from a fifth tackle kick for an 18-0 lead.
Reed then crossed for his second after backing up from a break down the middle for a 24-0 lead after 22 minutes.
The Dragons made it 30-0 through a try to Tom Kirk four minutes later after the winger dived over in the corner from a floating cut out pass.
Manly finally got on the board in the 37th minute when Feledy swooped on a grubber kick from Joey Walsh to cross for a 30-6 scoreline at half-time.
A try to David Afu out wide gave the Dragons a 34-6 lead after 51 minutes before lock Jacob Halangahu powered his way to the line to score next to the posts for a 40-6 scoreline.
Manly had a missed opportunity to score after a great play down the right side saw speedy winger Blake Wilson in the clear only for his high pass inside to be dropped.
Reed then put through a great kick over the top for Jacob Webster to dive on the ball to score for a 46-6 lead after 71 minutes.
Manly then scored a try through winger Navren Willett after he toed through a high pass to score next to the posts for a 46-12 scoreline after 73 minutes.
The Dragons brought up their half century through a try five minutes later through the middle to prop Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga for the 52-12 win.
Manly now play the Warriors at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, on Saturday, April 18.
