Caption: Addison Demetriou offloads in the win over Wests Tigers at Campbelltown. Photo: Wayne Cousins
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded a 44-24 victory over Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium today in round 15 of the Holden Cup.
In a remarkable clash between the sixth placed Wests Tigers and the eighth placed Sea Eagles, Manly Warringah dominated the first half before holding off a ate fightback to secure the two competition points. The match was transferred from Brookvale Oval last night.
The win moves Manly Warringah to 18 points (two ahead of Wests Tigers) and into fifth place subject to weekend results.
The Sea Eagles made the most of their possession in the opening 10 minutes and were rewarded with a try to hooker Hugh Pratt when he dived over under the posts from dummy half. He converted his own try for a 6-0 lead.
Manly Warringah then committed a terrible mistake when they allowed a last tackle bomb to bounce. Just when it appeared the Wests Tigers player would surrender near the sideline, he popped a pass for centre Watson Heleta to score. Half-back Veiru Mapesone converted the try for a 6-all scoreline after 20 minutes.
The Sea Eagles then put on the first of three tries in the space of five minutes when prop turned centre Addison Demetriou steamrolled three defenders to score out wide. Pratt failed to convert for a 10-6 scoreline after 33 minutes.
Full-back Nicholas Hynes then backed up a fine play to score in the 35th minute. Pratt converted for a 16-6 lead.
Two minutes later, winger Jesse Ramien finished off a fine attacking raid on the right edge to dive over in the corner. Pratt converted the try from the sideline for a 22-6 lead after 37 minutes.
Pratt then converted a penalty goal from 30 metres out to give the Sea Eagles a 24-6 lead at half-time.
2ND HALF
The Sea Eagles quickly picked up where they left in the first half when ‘The Steamroller’, Addison Demetriou used his strength and size to score his second try. Pratt failed to convert from the sideline for a 28-6 scoreline after 48 minutes.
Two minutes later, half-back and captain Riley Travers got in on the tryscoring act when he dived over in the same corner as Demetriou. Pratt converted to give the Sea Eagles a 34-6 lead after 53 minutes.
Just like the unpredictable nature of the U20s competition, it was the Wests Tigers turn to pile on the points.
They did just that, scoring tries through Esan Marsters (59th min), Veiru Mapesone (60th min), Mapesone again (64th) to trail 34-24.
The Sea Eagles had to dig deep to stop the momentum and they did just that in the final 15 minutes. The effort was rewarded when Ramien scored his second try (70th min) which was converted by centre Baiey Schiach-Wise, before Brad Parker crashed over in the 79th minute for the 44-24 scoreline.
