Lehi Hopoate scores double in exciting Flegg win
A two try haul from exciting young full-back Lehi Hopoate was one of the highlights in Manly's thrilling 34-32 win over the Canberra Raiders in round 14 of the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup at 4 Pines Park today.
In a match played in perfect weather conditions, both sides scored six tries each with the superb goal-kicking of hooker Jamie Humphreys proving the difference with five goals.
The win lifted the bottom place Sea Eagles to 10 competition points with the 11th placed Raiders in a game that saw plenty of great tries scored after Manly led 22-10 at half-time.
The Sea Eagles got off to a flying start when they capitalised on a knock on from the kick-off by the Raiders to score in the next set through full-back Lehi Hopoate after a nice shift left. Hooker Jamie Humphreys converted from close range for a 6-0 lead.
Hopoate then produced some individual brilliance in the 13th minute when, after defusing a kick, split the defence to race downfield to beat a final defender in a 75 metre run to score in the corner for a 10-0 lead. Humphreys converted from the sideline for a 12-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles were in again two minutes later when half-back Tylor Bunting swooped on a spilt bomb to score next to the posts. Humphreys converted for an 18-0 lead after 18 minutes.
Some nice slick hands out wide saw saw Manly winger Charlie Thompson dive over in the corner four minutes for a 22-0 lead.
Canberra hit back immediately when prop Jake Clydsdale crashed over next to the posts. Full-back Payton Jenkins converted for a 22-6 scoreline seven minutes from half-time.
The Raiders then scored in the dying seconds out wide through Jenkins following a mistake from the Sea Eagles to leave Manly with a 22-10 lead at the break.
The Sea Eagles wasted little time to get on the board in the second half when Thompson produced a spectacular high dive to score in the corner. Humphreys landed another successful sideline conversion for a 28-10 lead four minutes after half-time.
The Raiders reduced the margin to 12 when second-rower Joseph Roddy crashed over after an initial mistake from the re-start by Manly for a 28-16 scoreline.
The visitors went back-to-back when five-eighth Keahn Skipps stepped his way past some desperate defence to score under the posts. Jenkins converted for a 28-22 scoreline with 25 minutes remaining.
The Sea Eagles went to a 10 point lead four minutes later when a floating pass out wide saw winger Una Uasi score untouched. Humphreys again was successful from the sideline for a 34-22 lead.
Canberra winger Livai Kaloutolu then managed to get the ball down in the narrowest of margins in the corner in a two man tackle to score to leave the Raiders trailing 34-26 with eight minutes remaining.
Skipps then finished off a remarkable play by the Raiders when he followed through an infield kick from the sideline to follow the ball through to score next to the posts. Jenkins converted to leave Canberra trailing 34-32 with five minutes remaining.
Sea Eagles team
1 Lehi Hopoate, 2 Una Uasi, 3 Terence Patolo, 4 Tom Jarrett, 5 Charlie Thompson, 6 Blake Metcalfe, 7 Tylor Bunting, 10 Zane Dunford (c), 9 Jamie Humphreys, 13 James Uesele, 12 Max Hayley, 22 Iverson Mapu-Satiu, 11 Caleb Navale; interchange 8 Kylan Mafoa, 14 Daniel O'Donnell, 17 Cruz Smith, 19 Ryan James; reserve 24 Broden Konz.
