Match Report: NSW Cup Round 19 vs Bears

It was a picture-perfect afternoon at North Sydney Oval as Manly looked to bounce back from last week’s loss to Parramatta. Prior to the match, a moments silence took place in memory of Noel Cavanagh, a North Sydney Bears legend.

There was nothing to separate the two sides in the opening 20 minutes of the match. Both sides completed their sets and made substantial metres downfield.

The Bears were able to put on three tries in nine minutes for an 18-0 lead heading into the break.

Despite a valiant fightback from Manly, who held a two point lead late in the match, they came up short with the Bears prevailing to win 32-20.

Manly chanced their arm early shifting the ball to their right edge, giving centre Blake Wilson early ball which he turned into a 40 metre line break. The Bears, however, managed to scramble well in defence to prevent points from being scored.

In the 11th minute Manly was able punch through the middle of the Bears' defence. Manly fullback Tex Hoy then attempted a chip from five metres out that was knocked on by Manly.

In the 17th minute the Bears capitalised on good field position, spreading the ball to their left edge, where winger Kieran Hayman grubbered a kick which he regathered to score in the northwestern corner. Hayman converted his own try to put the Bears up 6-0.

Five minutes later, the home side were able to add to the score with lock Matthew French providing clean ball for backrower Riley Meyn who ran 30 metres to score under the posts. The conversion was successful taking the score to 12-0 with 15 minutes remaining in the half.

Manly winger Blake Wilson was put on report in the 26th minute for a late tackle.

The Bears then kicked downfield and were able to score off the next play, with second rower Matt Stimson receiving good ball on the edge to score in the corner.

A push and shove ensued in backfield however there was no further cautioning for the players. Hayman was successful with his third conversion of the day to put the Bears ahead 18-0 with 10 minutes left in the half.

Six minutes out from half time, Manly winger Blake Metcalfe was hit with a high tackle giving them the opportunity to kick deep into Bears' territory. Unfortunately, Manly knocked on five metres out from the tryline.

The Bears went into the break up 18-0.

In the 50th minute on the last tackle, Manly chose to run the ball to great effect, shifting the ball to the left edge, with halfback Tyler Melrose breaking through the line providing the final pass to Blake Metcalfe who slid over untouched in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful from Tex Hoy, with the Bears ahead 18-4.

Hoy then applied pressure on Norths with a grubber kick which earned his team a repeat set. Off the next play it was that same man who crashed over from five metres out. Hoy added the extras from the sideline to have his team trailing 18-10 with 23 minutes remaining.

Manly reduced the deficit to four points on the hour mark when winger Samuel Loizou beat a couple of defenders to find his way to the line. Hoy was unsuccessful with the conversion attempt from the sideline with the Bears leading 18-14.

In the 65th minute Manly put added their fourth unanswered when try when lock Miles Edler collected an infield chip kick from hooker Zaidas Muagututia.

Hoy added the extras and the away side had the lead for the first time in the game, Manly ahead 20-18.

Bears prop Phillip Makatoa then crashed over from close range to put the Bears back in front 24-10 with less than 10 minutes to play.

On the next set the Bears were in again when Hayman scored his second of the match after a break through the middle by replacement hooker Josh Cook.  The centre added the extras, his fifth conversion from as many attempts, to give his team a 30-20 lead with seven minutes to play.

In the dying seconds Manly backrower Viliami Fifita was put on report for a high tackle. Hayman had one final kick which again was successful to round out a 32-20 victory for Norths.