Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 26-12 loss to the Nth Qld Cowboys at Lottoland tonight in round 13 of the Telstra Premiership.
In front a crowd of 6172, the Sea Eagles trailed 16-8 at half-time but couldn't rope in the Cowboys in the second half with the visitors recording their fourth win of the season to join Manly on eight competition points.
The Sea Eagles were missing brothers Jake and Tom Trbojevic through NSW Origin selection while the Cowboys were without Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess due to Qld selection.
Cowboys prop Matt Scott also missed the game after being found guilty of a shoulder charge by the NRL judiciary.
The Sea Eagles opened the scoring in the sixth minute when five-eighth Trent Hodkinson converted a penalty goal from 22 metres out for a 2-0 lead.
Four minutes later, Cowboys half-back Johnathan Thurston converted a penalty goal from next to the posts for a 2-all scoreline.
Thurston put the Cowboys ahead 4-2 when he converted a penalty goal after being hit late by second-rower Jack Gosiewski, who was placed on report.
Manly got the first try of the night when second-rower Shaun spun his way out of a tackle to stretch out to slam the ball down next to the posts. Hodkinson converted for an 8-4 lead after 26 minutes.
The Cowboys drew level when lock Jason Taumalolo scored from a Thurstonn grubber kick that bounced off a Manly player. Thurston converted for a 10-8 lead to the Cowboys after 31 minutes.
Four minutes later, the Cowboys went to a 14-8 lead when winger Antonio Winterstein scored in the left corner. Thurston converted for a 16-8 lead after 36 minutes. The score remained that way to half-time.
The Sea Eagles got back to 16-12 when centre Brian Kelly burrowed over from dummy half down the short side to score in the 49th minute. Hodkinson failed to convert from the sideline.
Winger Antonio Winterstein scored his second try in the 65th minute to finish off a backline raid down Manly's right edge for a 20-12 lead.
The Cowboys all but sealed the game in the 69th minute when centre Enari Tuala scored from a pass from winger Kyle Feldt from a Thurston crosskick.
The Sea Eagles lost Lane with five minutes remaining after the second-rower hit his head heavily on the ground after offloading a pass. Manly second-rower Jack Gosiewski left the field with an arm injury in the final minute.
Manly play the Warriors in a home match at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, next Saturday at 5pm (NZ time)
