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 into the match, they came up short as the Bears won the game 32-20.

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

In the 11th minute Manly was able punch through the middle of the Bears defence, playing their last tackle five metres out, Manly fullback Tex Hoy attempted a chip that was knocked on in the contest by Manly.

An error from Hoy off the next set gifted the Bears a fresh set 10 metres out from Manly’s line. A kick was chipped into the in-goal, however the Bears were unable to take the catch.

A great run from Centre Beau Newlands set up Manly to attack again, but they were unable to add to the scoreboard as another loose error occurred.

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

Five minutes later, the Bears were able to add to the score with lock Matthew French providing clean ball for backrower Riley Meyn to run 30 metres and 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 the backfield however there was no further cautioning for the players. Hayman was successful with his third conversion of the day, 18-0 to the Bears with 10 minutes left in the half.

With six minutes to go in the first half, Manly winger Blake Metcalfe was hit with a high tackle giving them the opportunity to kick deep into the Bears territory. Unfortunately, they knocked it on five metres out from the tryline.

The Bears then returned serve making 70 metres downfield, almost crashing over if it wasn’t for a forward pass. Despite the last few attacking sets from the Bears, they weren’t able to score as Manly’s defence held strong. The Bears led 18-0 heading into the break.

Manly completed their first set in the second half finishing with a bomb, pinning the Bears inside their own 10 metre line. They were then gifted an attacking opportunity 20 metres out from the Bears line, after an unnecessary contact penalty was conceded by winger Ethyn Martin. Manly unfortunately turned the ball over knocking it on trying to push the offload, still without a point five minutes into the half.

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 last pass to Blake Metcalfe who slid over untouched in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful from Tex Hoy, Bears lead 18-4.

Manly continued to show a lot fight, making 60 metres on their set. Tex Hoy applied the pressure with a grubber earning a repeat set. Off the next play it was that same man that showed his elusiveness crashing over from five metres out. Hoy successfully kicked the conversion from the sideline. Manly trailed 18-10 with 23 minutes left in the game.

A penalty allowed Manly to attack once more deep into the Bears half. Manly used the width of the field spreading the ball and finding winger Samuel Loizou on the outside who beat a couple of defenders to the tryline. Another difficult kick from the touchline from Hoy was unsuccessful. With 20 minutes to go the Bears led 18-14.

In the 65th minute manly put on their fourth try in row after a break from hooker Zaidas Muagututia who then chipped infield to a waiting Miles Elder. The Manly lock took the bounce cleanly and scored under the posts. Hoy added the extras and the away side had the lead for the first time in the game, 18-20 to Manly.

Manly were unable to hold off the Bears after defending for two sets on their own line. Bears prop Phillip Makatoa was the beneficiary of a short ball that saw him crash over to put the Bears back ahead. The kick from in front went through, Bears led 24-20 with less than 10 minutes to go.

On the next set, the Bears made a break through the middle, as reserve hooker Josh Cook found space and then found Hayman back on the inside who scored his second try for the match. Hayman remained perfect for the day kicking five from five taking the lead to 30-20 with seven minutes remaining.

In the dying seconds of the match, Manly backrower Viliami Fifita was put on report for a high tackle. Hayman had one final kick which was successful. The full time score 32-20 in favour of the North Sydney Bears.