Match Report: NSW Cup Round 16 vs Magpies

The Magpies, coming off a 60-point win over the Roosters last round, led 16-6 at the break, before scoring five unanswered tries in the second half to notch their fourth straight win.

The home side were first on the board, scoring in the ninth minute when winger Luke Laulilii was provided clean ball from Solomon Saukuru, before scoring in the north-western corner.

Forced to defend back-to-back sets Manly found themselves under pressure but kept the home side at bay until midway through the first half.

It was a long-range effort which started from the halfway line and was finished off by Magpies winger Faaletino Tavana.

Javon Andrews, who was partnered in the halves by Latu Fainu, added the extras to give his side a 10-0 after 20 minutes.

The Sea Eagles were able to force an error in the next set and hit straight back. 

Fletcher Baker, who only recently joined the club from the Roosters, stormed onto a short ball from close range to make it 10-6 after 23 minutes.

Replacement hooker Jermayne Cook added some spark off the bench, as Manly began to play with added confidence.

Aaron Schoupp went close to scoring in the 32nd minute but was thrown into touch just short of the line, and minutes later the Magpies were in for their third try of the match.

Left centre Saukuru beat a couple defenders from about 20 metres out, with Andrews adding the extras, to put the Magpies ahead 16-6 at half time.

The Sea Eagles found themselves under pressure very early in the second half after conceding a penalty for high tackle, and a subsequent set restart. 

In the 45th minute the Magpies turned that pressure into points, taking advantage of an overlap out wide on the left, with Laulilii crossing untouched to score his second of the match. The try was converted from the sideline to put the home side in front 22-6.

The Magpies continued to dominate field position and increased their lead to 28-6 in the 55th minute. Winger Fiohiva Siale Fainga'a scooped up a loose ball from a fumbled cross field kick to score his team’s fifth try of the afternoon.

With a 22-point lead, and camped in Manly’s half, the Magpies became even more adventurous in attack, with halfback Fainu creating several opportunities.

On the hour mark the Magpies were in again when fullback Jack Attard scored after backing up a break through the middle by replacement hooker Jared Haywood.

Wests stretched their lead to 40-6 with about 17 minutes remaining when Tavana bagged his double.

Trailing by 34 points, it was 13 minutes from full time before Manly had their first set of the second half in their opponent’s half.

The Magpies added their eighth and final try of the match in the 70th minute when prop Peter Taateo scored next to the posts after another break through Manly’s middle.

Manly scored their second try of the match in the final minute after clever leadup work by halfback Braith Alexander.

Schoupp found himself on the end of a cross-field kick to score in the corner with fullback William Herbert adding the extras after the siren to make it 46-12 at full time.

Next up for the Sea Eagles in the NSW Cup is a match against the Bulldogs in Tamworth on Sunday 28 June.