Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded a 30-16 loss to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Lottoland today in round eight of the Jersey Flegg competition.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the 26th minute when winger Blake Clayton dived over in the left corner. Centre Jake Averillo converted for a 6-0 lead.
Canterbury crossed for their second try when winger Frank Kuresa finished off some quick hands out wide to score in the right corner. Averillo converted for a 12-0 lead after 27 minutes.
Manly hooker Joel Saldaneri showed great determination to chase down a runaway Canterbury player in a 70 metre rub before the Bulldogs went to an 18-0 lead at half-time through a converted try to Alex Seve.
The Bulldogs went to a 22-0 lead three minutes after half-time when Ryan Gray crashed over in the 43 minute. Averillo converted for a 24-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles then showed some fighting spirit to score two tries in four minutes through prop Mark Tepu-Smith and full-back Zaan Weatherall to trail 24-12. Winger Roland Podesta converted both tries.
Manly got back to trail 24-16 when Podesta finished off a nice backline play to score in the right corner. He failed to convert his own try with nine minutes remaining.
The Bulldogs then secured victory when Devontai Seumanutafa scored in the 64th minute with Averillo converting for the 30-16 scoreline.
The Sea Eagles fought on gallantly until the end in their search for their first win of the season.
