Sea Eagles go down 38-22 in Flegg
A see-sawing contest saw the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles go down 38-22 to the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium today in round eight of the Jersey Flegg Cup.
In a game that saw the lead change several times, the Tigers scored seven tries to four after the scores were locked at 16-all at half-time.
Three early penalties against the home side gifted the Sea Eagles a try in the second minute through winger Tutonu Junior Wright. The two halves combined with quick passes in the lead up to the try, with five eighth Tylor Bunting throwing the final cut-out pass to beat the Tigers winger, sending Wright over for a 4-0 lead.
The Tigers bounced back five minutes later after winning the ball back in the set following the kick-off. After repeat sets at the line, they finally cracked Manly’s defence with a smart grubber kick through the line by halfback Mitchell Chester, sitting up perfectly for hooker Cayne Nicholas to score. Five-eighth Zane Camroux converted from next to the posts for a 6-4 scoreline.
In stunning fashion, Wright scored his second try for the Sea Eagles in the 16th minute. The winger latched onto a pass on the wing, broke out of a tackle and beat five defenders to score next to the posts. Fullback Blake Metcalfe converted to take their lead to 10-6.
After another penalty deep in Tigers territory, the Sea Eagles cracked the defence once again with a try from forward Zane Dunford in the 23rd minute, crashing over three defenders with a barnstorming run metres out from the tryline to score. Metcalfe converted to take the scoreline to 16-6.
Wests winger Harrison Henson scored five minutes later on the right edge thanks to some quick passes in the lead up to the play, beating his opposing winger and running infield to score closer to the posts. Camroux converted to bring the score back to within a try at 16-12.
As the siren sounded for half-time, Camroux capitalised on an error, scooping the ball up and beating two defenders in a footrace from 30 metres out to score for the home team to make it 16-all at half-time.
The second half kicked off in emphatic fashion with the Tigers seeming to grab an early try. A handful of players chased down a big kick that was dropped by Metcalfe at the back and the Tigers thought they scored, only for the referee to call the play back.
Manly surged down the field and scored in the very next set through lock Caleb Navale after he beat two defenders. Metcalfe converted to give Manly a 22-16 lead after 40 minutes.
Wests centre Sione Vaihu hopped, skipped and jumped past a handful of Manly defenders with some fine footwork to score in the 47th minute on the right edge. Camroux converted to once again level the scores at 22-all.
Wests utility Tallyn Da Silva then snuck out of dummy half with a quick run to beat Metcalfe to score. Camroux converted to give his side a 28-22 lead.
Wests Tigers extended their lead to 34-22 with a converted try under the posts to winger Jay Kirk with eight minutes remaining.
The home side then scored a try through Compton Fuatimau inside the final minute for a 38-22 victory.
The Sea Eagles now meet the Sydney Roosters in Round 9 of the Jersey Flegg Cup on Saturday April 29 at 3.15pm at 4 Pines Park.
