Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 13 vs Sharks

After breaking through for their first win last Saturday against Canberra away, Manly produced their best performance of the season to run in four first half tries to lead 24-8 at half-time at Ocean Protect Stadium.

It was Manly’s second win in 2026 and a fine reward for the hard work this young team has put in despite the results.

Manly Coach Chris Crotty had a focus on improving the team’s attack for the Canberra game but would have been extremely happy with his side’s defensive effort to nullify many opportunities from the sixth-placed Sharks.

Boosted again boosted by SG Ball players in hooker Zaidas Muagututia, centre Max Davies, prop Freddie Benson-Sparkes, and second-rower Beau McKee, the Sea Eagles also had winger Navren Willett make his first appearance after coming down from the NSW Cup team.

The Sea Eagles got off to a superb start against the sixth placed Sharks when talented young hooker Zaidas Muagututia took off from dummy half to step his way past the defence from 10 metres out for a 6-0 lead after 11 minutes.

The Sharks hit back two minutes later with a try in the corner to winger Pharrell Gray for a 6-4 scoreline.

Manly extended their lead in the 20th minute after five-eighth Charlie Boyle got on the outside of centre Prestyn Laine-Sietu to score in the corner. Full-back William Herbert converted from the sideline to make it 12-4.

The Sea Eagles were in again a short time later when Boyle leapt high to take a Tyler Melrose bomb to offload to Herbert to send second-rower Beau McKee over in the corner. Herbert again converted from the sideline for an 18-4 lead after 30 minutes.

Muagututia then produced a short dummy half kick for Manly prop/captain Sebastian Piukala to score under the posts for a 24-4 lead after 35 minutes.

Gray then crossed for his second try after Laine-Sietu beat Boyle to send his winger to the line just before half-time to leave Manly with a 24-8 lead at the break.

Herbert then crossed for Manly’s fifth try when he ran onto a pass from Willett after the winger took a towering bomb from Melrose for a 28-8 lead after 53 minutes.

The Sharks scored two late tries through Gray to give him four for the game for the 28-18 scoreline.

The Sea Eagles will be looking to make it three straight wins when they host South Sydney at 4 Pines Park on Saturday, June 6, at 1pm.