Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have maintained fifth spot on the Jersey Flegg Cup ladder with a convincing 36-10 win over the Warriors at 4 Pines Park today.
The Sea Eagles ran in six tries to two in a match that saw them lead 18-0 at half-time to record their 13th win of the season.
With two games remaining before the finals, the Sea Eagles are on 30 points, three clear of Cronulla (sixth) place and four points ahead of the Dragons, Eels, and Wests Tigers subject to weekend results.
The Sea Eagles need to win both matches to ensure their place with the top five teams contesting the finals.
Quality young half-back Tylor Bunting produced a fine display in his return to the team after playing eight matches in the NSW Cup for Blacktown Workers.
After a fairly open settling in period, the Sea Eagles opened the scoring when hooker Daniel O’Donnell dived over from dummy half for a 6-0 lead after 18 minutes.
The Sea Eagles extended their lead to 12-0 when prop Devante Mihinui scored under the posts after an initial break by captain Nicholas Lenaz to set up a fine attacking raid.
A smart grubber kick from dummy half by O’Donnell saw prop Carsen Patu dive on the ball to score next to the posts for an 18-0 lead three minutes from half-time.
The Sea Eagles got off to a flying start to the second half when Lenaz raced away to score under the posts after some nice support play up the middle for a 24-0 lead after 37 minutes.
The Warriors got on the board four minutes later with a converted try in the corner to full-back Ratu Saimone Naborisi before Manly hit back with a nice try to centre Alton Naiyep off a Bunting kick to make it 30-6.
Manly full-back Blake Metcalf capped off a fine game when he backed up a break by prop Kylan Mafoa to score under the posts for a 36-6 lead with 13 minutes remaining.
The Sea Eagles now tackle the Wests Tigers at Lidcombe Oval on Saturday, August 24, at 12pm.
Sea Eagles 36 (Daniel O'Donnell, Devante Mihinui, Carsen Patu, Nicholas Lenaz, Alton Naiyep, Blake Metcalfe tries; Kallum Weatherall-Stacey 6 goals) d Warriors 10.
