A Golden Point field goal from Daly Cherry-Evans has delivered the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles a thrilling 21-20 victory over the Nth Qld Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium tonight.
Cherry-Evans landed the field goal inside the final minute of the first golden point period after the Cowboys had six shots and Manly two. It was his 28th field goal, the most of the NRL era.
The match marked the return of Tom Trbojevic at centre from a hamstring injury and the 150th NRL game for prop Josh Aloiai.
The Sea Eagles got off to a flying start when half-back/captain Daly Cherry-Evans drew in two defenders to send winger Jason Saab over untouched. Reuben Garrick converted from the sideline for a 6-0 lead.
After bombing an earlier try, the Cowboys drew level with a converted try to half-back Chad Townsend off a kick from winger Kyle Feldt for a 6-all scoreline after 15 minutes.
Cowboys v Sea Eagles – Round 18, 2024
With the match continuing to flow without any real threats, the Sea Eagles took a 12-6 lead after Saab crossed for his second converted try.
The Sea Eagles blew a perfect try scoring opportunity just before half-time when Saab threw a forward pass to second-rower Haumole Olakauátu, leaving Manly with a 12-6 lead at the break.
A drop ball from the Cowboys in front of Manly's posts saw full-back Tolu Koula race 85 metres before linking up with Saab for his third try. Garrick converted for an 18-6 lead after 44 minutes.
Manly winger Tommy Talau, who earlier saved a half chance with a crunching tackle on Townsend, dropped a ball in front of his line. The Cowboys crossed a minute later through forward Reuben Cotter for an 18-12 scoreline after 53 minutes.
Feldt then dived over the line after the Cowboys caught the Sea Eagles short on the right for a converted try to make it 18-all after 57 minutes.
Garrick put the Sea Eagles in front with a penalty goal for a 20-18 lead after 74 minutes before Townsend landed a 40 metre two point field goal three minutes later for a 20-all scoreline.
Sea Eagles: Round 18
The Cowboys then missed three field goal attempts through Townsend and Manly one through Cherry-Evans to send the game into golden point.
Valentine Holmes then missed two field goal attempts in the first three minutes before Cherry-Evans stepped up to snatch victory with his first attempt in Golden Point.
