Great fightback sees Manly claim first Jersey Flegg win
A superb second half fightback has seen the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles record their first win of the season in the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup.
Trailing 18-6 in terrible conditions at HE Laybutt Sporting Complex at Blacktown on Sunday, Coach Adam McEwen’s men responded beautifully to claim a 24-18 win in the round five home match.
The Sea Eagles got off to a great start when Humphreys produced a classic show and go to crash over next to the posts. He converted his own try for a 6-0 lead after five minutes.
The Knights drew level six minutes later through a converted try to centre Freeman Forsythe
From there, the rest of the first half belonged to the Knights with further tries to Forsythe and lock Travis Petersen that saw the visitors take a 12 point lead into half-time in heavy rain.
Some nice hands along the backline saw winger Cameron Brown dive over in the left corner in the 40th minute for an 18-10 scoreline.
A converted try to prop James Uesele four minutes later saw the Sea Eagles back in the game at 18-16 before Humphreys levelled the scores 12 minutes later with a penalty goal.
The Sea Eagles took the lead when Humphreys pounced on the loose ball after a towering bomb from captain Harradyn Wilson was spilt by Knights winger Luke Pietzner. Humphreys converted for a 24-18 lead after 62 minutes.
Manly dug deep within the final eight minutes in the terrible conditions to take a well-deserved victory.
“It was our most complete disciplined half of football this season,’’ McEwen said of the second half.
“We were well led in the middle by Caleb Navale and James Uesele. The boys fought back through consistent effort and enthusiasm to chase down the deficit to win the game through the class of our halves Jamie Humphreys and Harrydyn Wilson.
“It was a great win and we can now build our season on the back of it.”
The Sea Eagles tackle the Penrith Panthers at Penrith on Saturday, April 8, at 1.35pm in the first match of a triple header between the clubs.
