The Sea Eagles soared to their second victory of the Westpac Lisa Fiaola Cup, picking up a comfortable 22-6 victory over the Sharks at 4 Pines Park on Sunday.
In their first ever home game at “The Fortress”, the Sea Eagles were looking for redemption after suffering a disappointing 28-0 loss to the Rabbitohs last round.
After a shaky start, Manly clawed their way back into the match with two quick tries just before halftime to take an 8-6 lead into the break. They didn’t slow down in the second half, going on to keep their opponents scoreless for the remainder of the match.
The Sharks speared the majority of the attack in the opening stages of the game and cracked Manly’s defence with a try in the 14th minute for Felia Fakalelu. The prop showcased her strength and barged over next to the posts. Winger Jade Pawson converted for a 6-0 lead.
Manly hit back with a barnstorming try of their own six minutes later through Azariah Taii. In similar fashion to the first try of the match, the prop showed her strength and resilience to shake off three defenders and spin out of a tackle to dive over for a try on the last tackle for a 6-4 scoreline.
The Sea Eagles hit the lead on the stroke of halftime with a well-worked try down the right edge to send centre Ava Vaefaga over untouched for an 8-6 scoreline at the break.
Fresh off the break at halftime and looking to keep the momentum, Manly piled on two quick tries in the first five minutes of the second half to stamp their authority.
Second-rower Georgie Lawton scored in the corner in the 31st minute thanks to some silky passes in the lead-up, freeing up enough space for her to crash over and extend her side’s lead to 12-6.
Five minutes later and the home side were in again through Paula Halaholo. The Prop used her brute strength to carry the defence with her as she scored her try. Centre Kalolaine Brown converted to give her side a 12-point lead.
Fullback Liesl Hopoate put the nail in the coffin with a try in the 44th minute for a final scoreline of 22-6.
The Sea Eagles head up north as they take on the Newcastle Knights in Round Five on Saturday March 2, 11am, at Kurri Kurri Sports Ground.
Sea Eagles 22 (Tries: Taii 20’, Vaefaga 28’, Lawton 31’, Halaholo 35’, Hopoate 44’. Brown 1/5 goals) def. Sharks 6 (Try: Fakalelu 13’. Pawson 1/1 goal)
