Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 18 vs Eels

It was a dream start for Manly, awarded a penalty when Parramatta were caught offside from the kick-off.

In the next set Sea Eagles' half Lachlan Metcalfe put in a kick to his left centre Benjamin Keene-O’Keefe who crossed for the opening try of the evening after just one minute of play.

Fullback William Herbert was unsuccessful with the conversion leaving Manly ahead 4-0.

Manly extended their lead moments later when Tyler Melrose found the line but again the conversion attempt sailed wide with Manly ahead 8-0 .

Parramatta responded swiftly when prop Jordan Miller crashed over on the back of a penalty and quick ball movement. Halfback Lincoln Fletcher added the extras to make it 8-6.

The Eels struck again three minutes later when Fletcher took the line on and delivered a slick flick pass to left edge forward Christopher Petrus. Fletcher added his second goal to put the Eels ahead 12-8.

After a few unforced errors from both teams, it was Parramatta who gained the ascendency.

A flick pass from Miller was gathered by Fletcher who slid over the tryline to claim Parramatta’s third try. He added his third goal of the evening to push the Eels out to an 18-8 lead.

Manly reduced the deficit to six points when they scored in the final minute of the first half.  Melrose was heavily involved, providing the final pass down the left edge for winger Nathaniel Robinson to score, with the Eels up 18-12 at the break.

The second half was littered with errors from both teams before a long stoppage in play. With just over 20 minutes remaining Manly hooker Billy Thompson was carried from the field on a stretcher.

Parramatta finished the match with 12 players after Miller was sent to the sin bin for high contact on Metcalf.

A scrappy second half saw no points added to the scoreboard with the Eels in front 18-12 at full time.

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles take on the Kaiviti Silktails next Saturday at Churchill Park in Fiji as they look to bounce back from a hard-fought defeat.