Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 20-16 loss to Parramatta Eels at Brookvale Oval today in round 24 of the Telstra Premiership.
In wet conditions in front of a crowd of 11, 018, the loss leaves the Sea Eagles in ninth spot, two points behind St George-Illawarra with two rounds remaining. The Dragons have a far superior for and against points differential.
The Sea Eagles must now beat competition leaders Sydney Roosters next Friday night at Brookvale Oval.
The Eels opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a try in the left corner to Fijian winger Semi Radradra. Luke Kelly converted for a 6-0 lead.
Manly Warringah opened their account when five-eighth Kieran Foran broke the line to put centre Steve Matai over. Jamie Lyon converted for a 6-all scoreline. Matai became the fourth player in the club’s history to score 50 tries at Brookvale Oval.
Parramatta went to a 10-6 lead in the 24th minute when Radradra scored his second try. Kelly failed to convert.
Sea Eagles winger Peta Hiku showed his class when, with little room to move, he somehow managed to stay in field and then slam the ball down over the top of three sliding defenders to score in the right corner for a 10-all scoreline. Lyon failed to convert the try in the 34th minute.
The Eels found another hole on the right edge in the 37th minute for second-rower Manu Ma”u to score. Kelly failed to convert to leave the Eels leading 14-10.
2nd Half
Parramatta scored a very soft try in the 43rd minute when winger Bureta Faraimo dived over for an 18-10 lead. Kelly converted the try for a 20-10 scoreline.
The Sea Eagles then lost hooker Matt Ballin to a left knee injury but a play later after leaving the field, the Eels dropped the ball for it to be kicked ahead for forward James Hasson to dive on to score. Lyon converted the try to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 20-16 after 47 minutes.
Despite coming close to the tryline a few times, the Sea Eagles couldn’t get over the line with the Eels holding on for their win.
