The Sea Eagles looked to continue their undefeated start to the season when they travelled to Gosford on Easter Sunday to face the Canberra Raiders.
After dominating the opening five minutes the Raiders were the first to get on the board with winger Thomas Cronan crossing over from out wide to give the boys from the ACT the first four points.
The Sea Eagles responded minutes later when a high awkward kick from Nicolas Hynes fell kindly for Jesse Maxwell to level it up under the posts for the Silvertails. Hugh Pratt was on hand to convert the kick and Manly went in to the lead 6-4.
Only minutes later, the unbeaten Manly men produced some more quality as Lucas Price playing at fullback finished a silky team move to double the lead.
The good play kept continuing as Will Pearsall banged down a 40/20 to keep the pressure building, which was again rewarded through Mitch Britton getting his first of the afternoon.
Adam Lucas pulled one back for the Green Machine but Britton was in the mood and crossed over for his second of the afternoon to send the Sea Eagles into the sheds with a 22-10 at the break.
The second half started with the Raiders capitalising on a Lucas Price spill inside the in-goal line to pull the score back to 22-16.
Price wsa to soon make amends for his mistake with some help from the big-hitting Addison Demetriou. His heavy collision knocked the ball loose and on the restart, Price crossed over to peg-back his costly error.
Scott Moran and Kyle Saunders further strengthened the Sea Eagles lead as they scored from out wide to almost put the game to bed but the Raiders were able to pull one back with Cameron Booth crossing late for the boys from the ACT.
The game finished 36-22 with the perfect start to the season continuing for Dave Heath's men. The side head to the foot of the mountains to take on the Penrith Panthers next weekend.
