Mark
25-02-06, 07:33 PM
A brace of tries to Manly centre Steve Matai has helped the Sea Eagles to a convincing 42-18 victory over the Wests Tigers in their NRL trial match at Brookvale Oval.
With halves Michael Monaghan and Matt Orford combining well behind a dominant pack, the win gave the Sea Eagles a timely confidence boost ahead of their opening NRL encounter against Canberra at the same ground in a fortnight's time.
The absence of superstar Benji Marshall, who will make his long-awaited return from shoulder surgery for the NRL season opener against St George Illawarra, didn't stop the Tigers from playing their trademark expansive style.
Their enterprise was rewarded early, with debutant Mick Crockett scoring a sensational try in the third minute after a sweeping backline movement which featured a Marshall-style flick pass from centre Dean Collis.
But it was one of the few times the passes stuck in a rusty performance from the Tigers, who paid dearly for their inability to complete their sets.
The home side made the most of a glut of possession late in the half, going to the main break with a 12-6 lead via two converted tries.
The first was scored by backrower Anthony Watmough, who ploughed over from close range after a clever short ball from halfback Matt Orford in the 30th minute.
Immediately after scoring, Watmough was sent to the sin bin after a heated altercation with Scott Prince behind the goal posts.
The NSW representative took offence after the Tigers captain appeared to clip his boot after he scored, but referee Ben Cummins ruled he was the aggressor as the situation threatened to erupt.
Manly scored again five minutes later through Kylie Leuluai to extend their lead, much to the delight of the 8,700 crowd.
The Sea Eagles continued their momentum into the second half, with Steve Matai (43rd minute) and Jason King (47th) extending the lead to 20-6.
Prince raised hopes of a Tigers comeback after his short-range solo effort bridged the gap to eight with half an hour to play, but tries to Matai (60th), Paul Stephenson (64th) and JP Cherry (70) ensured a lopsided victory for the Sea Eagles.
Source (http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Manly-flogs-Tigers-4218-in-NRL-trial/2006/02/25/1140670299863.html)
With halves Michael Monaghan and Matt Orford combining well behind a dominant pack, the win gave the Sea Eagles a timely confidence boost ahead of their opening NRL encounter against Canberra at the same ground in a fortnight's time.
The absence of superstar Benji Marshall, who will make his long-awaited return from shoulder surgery for the NRL season opener against St George Illawarra, didn't stop the Tigers from playing their trademark expansive style.
Their enterprise was rewarded early, with debutant Mick Crockett scoring a sensational try in the third minute after a sweeping backline movement which featured a Marshall-style flick pass from centre Dean Collis.
But it was one of the few times the passes stuck in a rusty performance from the Tigers, who paid dearly for their inability to complete their sets.
The home side made the most of a glut of possession late in the half, going to the main break with a 12-6 lead via two converted tries.
The first was scored by backrower Anthony Watmough, who ploughed over from close range after a clever short ball from halfback Matt Orford in the 30th minute.
Immediately after scoring, Watmough was sent to the sin bin after a heated altercation with Scott Prince behind the goal posts.
The NSW representative took offence after the Tigers captain appeared to clip his boot after he scored, but referee Ben Cummins ruled he was the aggressor as the situation threatened to erupt.
Manly scored again five minutes later through Kylie Leuluai to extend their lead, much to the delight of the 8,700 crowd.
The Sea Eagles continued their momentum into the second half, with Steve Matai (43rd minute) and Jason King (47th) extending the lead to 20-6.
Prince raised hopes of a Tigers comeback after his short-range solo effort bridged the gap to eight with half an hour to play, but tries to Matai (60th), Paul Stephenson (64th) and JP Cherry (70) ensured a lopsided victory for the Sea Eagles.
Source (http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Manly-flogs-Tigers-4218-in-NRL-trial/2006/02/25/1140670299863.html)