Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 17 vs Bulldogs

After a nightmare start, Manly led 12-4 going into break off the back of some solid defence and some strong kicking. It was three tries to the away side in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, that made it too much for the Sea Eagles to come back as they were beaten in yet another close game.

It took just two minutes for points as Bulldogs fullback Latrell Fing went over in the right corner, however the conversion was unsuccessful.

Off the back of a penalty the Sea Eagles go close but were gifted with another set due to a Bulldogs mistake.

The Sea Eagles do get their first try after Charlie Boyle puts through a soft grubber and despite the wet conditions, Quinn Timperon, cleanly grounded the ball. Oscar Crotty nailed the conversion from the sideline.

Bulldogs were given good field position but the defence from the Sea Eagles was too strong for the away side to capitalise.

Manly quickly turned defence into attack as halfback Tyler Melrose kicked a clinical 40/20.

In the following set, Manly extended their lead through Tom Summer, who beat multiple defenders to the ball, after Zaidas Muagututia sliced a grubber through.

Half way through the first half, it became a grind for both sides. Unforced errors and ill discipline gave the Sea Eagles more opportunities to extend their lead but the Bulldogs held on going into the break.

Manly led 12-4 at half time.

The Bulldogs came out firing in the early minutes of the second half and were rewarded with a try as Bronson Reuben fooled defenders with a show and go. He converted his own try.

The pressure continued to mount as the Sea Eagles were made to defend set after set. It was déjà vu as Reuben went over again for the Bulldogs giving them the lead.

They went over again in the 60th minute through Aaymon Fitzgibbon, extending their lead to 10 after Reuben converted close to the sideline.

Bulldogs continued to attack but the desperate defence from the Sea Eagles kept the margin within two converted tries going into the final 10 minutes.

With five minutes remaining, Manly didn’t give up and fought back with a try off a Bulldogs mistake.

Max Davies scored late in the set and with Crotty’s conversion, cutting the margin to four, setting the game up for a grandstand finish.

It was late heartbreak though, as the Bulldogs scored in the dying seconds through Fitzgibbon, who crossed for his second and converted his own try.

It ended 28 points to 18 in favour of the away side.

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles take on the Parramatta Eels next Sunday at the James Hardie Centre of Excellence as they look to bounce back after tonight’s loss.

Written by Jed Smith Schryver

Sea Eagles Sports Business Academy Student