Match Report: NSW Cup Round 8 vs Eels

Trailing 14-12 at half-time, the Sea Eagles led with 20 minutes to go before two late tries to the Eels saw them secure a 24-18 win in round eight.

Exciting Jersey Flegg Cup players William Herbert and Mitchell Heather were promoted to the Sea Eagles team on the wing. Prop Nicholas Bilsborough backed up after playing strongly for the Manly Leagues’ Ron Massey Cup team on Friday night.

The match also marked a successful return for Aaron Schoupp after undergoing   ACL surgery at the end of last season.

The Eels got off to a quick start when a chip kick from half-back Joseph Nohra sat up perfectly for centre Araz Nanva to dive over in the corner for a 4-0 lead after five minutes.

Manly hit back in the 14th minute when full-back Blake Metcalfe jumped over from dummy half to make it 4-all.

The Sea Eagles went back-to-back immediately when second-rower Hugo Hart latched onto a perfect ball from half-back Joey Walsh to race to the corner to score for an 8-4 lead after 17 minutes.

It became three tries in six minutes when Manly five-eighth Tex Hoy broke free to beat three defenders to score next to the posts for a 12-4 lead. It came off a great break down Manly’s left side by centre Semisi Kioa on the previous tackle.

Parramatta forward Zack Visconti then crashed through two defenders to score next to the posts to leave the Eels trailing 12-10 after 28 minutes.

After Eels winger Jake Tago stepped on the sideline in trying to score two minutes later, Parramatta grabbed the lead just before half-time when right winger Richard Penisini crossed in the corner for a 14-12 scoreline at the break. The Sea Eagles missed three conversion attempts in the first half.

After Parramatta were denied a try eight minutes into the second half on an obstruction call, the Sea Eagles regained the lead when Hoy swooped on a drop ball 15 metres out from his line to race away for an 18-14 scoreline.

The lead changed again when Penisini dived over in the corner for his second try for the Eels to make it 20-18 after 61 minutes.

Penisini dived over for his hat-trick with 13 minutes remaining to stretch Parramatta’s lead to 24-18.

Hoy was set for his third try a few minutes from full-time only for the referee to call a forward pass from centre Blake Wilson.

The Eels held on to secure the six-point win. It was Manly’s sixth straight loss with their only win coming in round one at home.

Manly now play Penrith Panthers at Parker Street Reserve, Penrith, on Sunday, May 3, at 1pm.