On the charge...Cameron Davis finds some open space against the Bulldogs at Lottoland. Photo: Steve Turner (Bulldogs Media)
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 30-22 loss to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Lottoland today in round four of the Holden Cup.
It was the second straight loss for the Sea Eagles after impressive wins in the opening two rounds.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring when winger Kiko Manu dived over for a try in the right corner in the 10th minute. Five-eighth Adam Keighran converted from the sideline for a 6-0 lead.
The visitors went to a 10-0 lead 10 minutes later when centre Morgan Harper crossed out wide.
Manly then kicked out on the full from the re-start. The Bulldogs punished the home side for the mistake when second-rower Jayden Okunbar crossed over for a try for 14-0 lead after 23 minutes.
The Sea Eagles opened the scoring when Trey Brown came off the interchange bench to score in the 32nd minute. Brown converted his own try for a 14-6 scoreline.
Bulldogs full-back and former Manly NYC player Jayden El-Jalkh returned from the sin bin for a professional foul to stretch the visitors lead to 18-6 with a try in the 39th minute. The try was converted to give the Bulldogs a 20-6 lead at half-time.
Second Half
Some fancy footwork from lock Jesse Martin saw him score four minutes after the break for a 20-10 scoreline. Winger Bilal Maarbani converted to leave the home side trailing 20-12.
Bulldogs winger Manu grabbed a double when he scored in the 51st minute for a 24-12 lead.
Manly hit back with a converted try to hooker John Neil to leave them trailing 24-18 after 59 minutes.
The Bulldogs converted a penalty goal in the 65th minute for a 26-18 lead before winger Alvin Maunhaati crossed for a 30-19 lead.
The Sea Eagles pulled one back quickly when former Bulldogs player Jade Anderson scored for a 30-22 scoreline. The try was not converted.
Manly Holden Cup team
1 Luke Polselli 2 Bilal Maarbani 3 Tom Wright 4 Blake Andrews 5 Alfred Smalley 6 Cade Cust (C) 7 Manase Fainu 8 Jaiden Tarrant 9 John Neil 15 Elia Faatui 16 Haumole Olakau’atu 12 Josh Martin 13 Jesse Martin; Interchange: 14 Trey Brown 18 Cameron Davis 19 Eddie Ieremia 20 Jade Anderson
