Samuela Fainu scores double in loss to Tigers

Two tries to prop Samuela Fainu wasn’t enough to help Manly Warringah Sea Eagles to a NSW Cup Jersey Flegg win at Campbelltown Sports Stadium today.

The hard running front-rower was a late inclusion to the team and added plenty of punch to the Sea Eagles pack.

In a see-sawing game, Manly raced to a 14-6 lead at half-time but were run down late in a frustrating performance for Sea Eagles Coach Adam McEwen.

Wests Tigers opened the scoring in the fourth minute when lock and former Sea Eagle Sione Fainu spun his way out of a three-man tackle to score next to the posts. Half-back Kade Hill converted for a 6-0 lead.

The Sea Eagles hit back immediately when winger Ashton Kolinisau pulled in a high pass to score in the left corner two minutes later. Full-back Charlie Thompson failed to convert the try from the sideline for a 6-4 scoreline after eight minutes.

Manly took the in the 13th minute when prop Sosaia Moala crashed through the defence to score under the posts. Thompson converted for a 10-6 lead.

A great short ball from hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong saw prop hard running prop Samuela Fainu crash through a hole to score near the posts for a 14-6 lead after 24 minutes. The score remained that way to half-time.

Wests Tigers got back to 14-12 when centre Livai Saukuru scored in the second minute of the second half before Samuela Fainu grabbed his second try for the Sea Eagles three minutes later for a 20-12 lead after 41 minutes.

The home side then reduced the deficit again to four when Saukuru grabbed his second try for a 20-16 scoreline after 48 minutes.

Wests Tigers took the lead when hooker Michael Tannous scored off a break from forward Cayne Nicholas. Hill converted for a 22-20 lead with 15 minutes remaining.

The Sea Eagles tried hard to get the lead back but a series of errors hurt the side in another game that got away that leaves Manly in 11th position.