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Manly v Parramatta clashes always promise a lot and this game was a classic battle that delivered an enormous amount excitement and controversy.
The early exchanges went the way of the Eels and a mistake at the back by Michael Robertson led to the first Parramatta try in the second minute of the game. After going to the video the try was awarded to Luke O’Dwyer and Luke Burt was given an easy shot at goal.
It certainly was a dream start for the Eels and they furthered their lead ten minutes later when John Morris threw a massive cutout pass for Jarryd Hayne. Hayne did very well to pick up the ball at his feet and cross in the corner. While the pass appeared to be forward the try was awarded and Luke Burt converted from the sideline.
The game was being played at a cracking pace. Parramatta were rushing up in defence and as a result Manly were having to work very hard to get out of their area. In attack the Eels were rolling on very quickly and in trying to slow their momentum the Sea Eagles gave away a few penalties. The Sea Eagles continued to find themselves on the wrong end of penalties as referee Steve Clark took a hard line on hands in the play the ball.
With 23 minutes remaining in the first half the Sea Eagles got their first points of the game. After receiving the ball captain Ben Kennedy heard the call from Orford who was outside him. Orford ran to the line, cut out Stewart and put Steve Matai straight through the line. Matai crossed just a few metres in from touch but it was too wide for Orford to convert.
Manly started to enjoy some better field position but just couldn’t find a way through the tough Eels try line defence. When the Eels got back in the attacking zone they made Manly pay. A brilliantly weighted kick from Jeremy Smith was chased down by Luke Burt not far from the posts to ensure an easy conversion.
The Sea Eagles got themselves back in the match with only a minute remaining in the half. Orford took on the line and kicked through, a flying Paul Stephenson came from no where and got to the ball before Hayne. Orford’s conversion from the sideline hit the upright and bounced away.
Down 18-8 at half time the Sea Eagles knew they could get themselves back in the match but when the Eels scored a converted try in the fifth minute the Manly boys once again had their backs up against the wall.
Nine minutes into the second half Brent Kite was hit very high leaving the massive prop prostrate on the ground for some five minutes. After Kite was taken from the field Parramatta prop Fui Fui Moi Moi was sent off.
Manly took full advantage of the overlap immediately scoring in the corner. Some loose balls and a pass through the legs from Robertson left Chris Hicks with a clear run to the line. Again with the kick coming from the sideline Orford was unable to convert.
Back to within 12 points and with a one man advantage the Sea Eagles found new legs and started to pile on the metres. Two minutes after the Hicks try it looked as though the Sea Eagles had scored through Michael Robertson but after countless looks at the replay the Video Referee ruled a knock on. It was a questionable decision the ball never appeared to touch another player as Robertson fumbled it. We are left to assume that the ruling was made on the put down which was a bit touch and go.
Parramatta could have stretched their lead shortly after when PJ Marsh went through the Sea Eagles defence but wasn’t able to find O’Dwyer who spilled the ball with the line wide open.
Manly reduced the margin to just six points when Luke Williamson scored adjacent to the posts. Some good second phase play from Ben Kennedy put Travis Burns in space. A good step got Burns away before he drew the fullback and offloaded to Williamson. Orford took a quick conversion from close range.
The Sea Eagles looked as though they would pull off another miracle comeback but it wasn’t to be. Parramatta regrouped and started to force Manly into mistakes. The Eels were also starting to find a bit of space through the Manly line which was a little hard to comprehend being a man down. When Parramatta scored with eight minutes remaining the Sea Eagles started to get desperate and gave away silly penalties.
Still unable to penetrate the Eels defence the game was put beyond doubt with a field goal to John Morris. The Sea Eagles tried in vain to reduce the 13 point margin. The game finished 31-18 and credit must go to Parramatta who put on an awesome display down a man for 31 minutes of the game.
Ben Kennedy had a massive impact, regularly making 15m when taking the ball up, its therefore not surprising to see an amazing 239 metres next to his name. Not far behind Kennedy was Steve Matai who made 199 metres most of which were made running from dummy half. Matai’s metres indicate that if he is moved into the second row next year he will certainly have the necessary skills.
In defence the second row pair of Luke Williamson and Glenn Stewart made 40 and 39 tackles respectively against a Parramatta side that was rolling up the field with amazing speed.
Shayne Dunley was put on report for using the knees however the replay clearly showed that Hayne dived at the ground as Dunley was coming in for the tackle. There was little to nothing Dunley could have done to avoid hitting Hayne, had Hayne not taken a dive there would have been nothing to write about.
Stephen Bell put in a good showing on his return from injury. Hopefully we will see the rest of the attacking arsenal back on the paddock after the bye.
Good news coming from the game is that Brent Kite wasn’t badly injured and is just suffering the effects from being hit in the head. Kite will make a full comeback after the bye.
Match Stats
Sea Eagles: Tries: Matai, Stephenson, Hicks, Williamson. Goals: Orford 1/4.
Eels: Tries: O'Dwyer 2, Burt 2, Hayne. Goals: Burt 5/5.
The early exchanges went the way of the Eels and a mistake at the back by Michael Robertson led to the first Parramatta try in the second minute of the game. After going to the video the try was awarded to Luke O’Dwyer and Luke Burt was given an easy shot at goal.
It certainly was a dream start for the Eels and they furthered their lead ten minutes later when John Morris threw a massive cutout pass for Jarryd Hayne. Hayne did very well to pick up the ball at his feet and cross in the corner. While the pass appeared to be forward the try was awarded and Luke Burt converted from the sideline.
The game was being played at a cracking pace. Parramatta were rushing up in defence and as a result Manly were having to work very hard to get out of their area. In attack the Eels were rolling on very quickly and in trying to slow their momentum the Sea Eagles gave away a few penalties. The Sea Eagles continued to find themselves on the wrong end of penalties as referee Steve Clark took a hard line on hands in the play the ball.
With 23 minutes remaining in the first half the Sea Eagles got their first points of the game. After receiving the ball captain Ben Kennedy heard the call from Orford who was outside him. Orford ran to the line, cut out Stewart and put Steve Matai straight through the line. Matai crossed just a few metres in from touch but it was too wide for Orford to convert.
Manly started to enjoy some better field position but just couldn’t find a way through the tough Eels try line defence. When the Eels got back in the attacking zone they made Manly pay. A brilliantly weighted kick from Jeremy Smith was chased down by Luke Burt not far from the posts to ensure an easy conversion.
The Sea Eagles got themselves back in the match with only a minute remaining in the half. Orford took on the line and kicked through, a flying Paul Stephenson came from no where and got to the ball before Hayne. Orford’s conversion from the sideline hit the upright and bounced away.
Down 18-8 at half time the Sea Eagles knew they could get themselves back in the match but when the Eels scored a converted try in the fifth minute the Manly boys once again had their backs up against the wall.
Nine minutes into the second half Brent Kite was hit very high leaving the massive prop prostrate on the ground for some five minutes. After Kite was taken from the field Parramatta prop Fui Fui Moi Moi was sent off.
Manly took full advantage of the overlap immediately scoring in the corner. Some loose balls and a pass through the legs from Robertson left Chris Hicks with a clear run to the line. Again with the kick coming from the sideline Orford was unable to convert.
Back to within 12 points and with a one man advantage the Sea Eagles found new legs and started to pile on the metres. Two minutes after the Hicks try it looked as though the Sea Eagles had scored through Michael Robertson but after countless looks at the replay the Video Referee ruled a knock on. It was a questionable decision the ball never appeared to touch another player as Robertson fumbled it. We are left to assume that the ruling was made on the put down which was a bit touch and go.
Parramatta could have stretched their lead shortly after when PJ Marsh went through the Sea Eagles defence but wasn’t able to find O’Dwyer who spilled the ball with the line wide open.
Manly reduced the margin to just six points when Luke Williamson scored adjacent to the posts. Some good second phase play from Ben Kennedy put Travis Burns in space. A good step got Burns away before he drew the fullback and offloaded to Williamson. Orford took a quick conversion from close range.
The Sea Eagles looked as though they would pull off another miracle comeback but it wasn’t to be. Parramatta regrouped and started to force Manly into mistakes. The Eels were also starting to find a bit of space through the Manly line which was a little hard to comprehend being a man down. When Parramatta scored with eight minutes remaining the Sea Eagles started to get desperate and gave away silly penalties.
Still unable to penetrate the Eels defence the game was put beyond doubt with a field goal to John Morris. The Sea Eagles tried in vain to reduce the 13 point margin. The game finished 31-18 and credit must go to Parramatta who put on an awesome display down a man for 31 minutes of the game.
Ben Kennedy had a massive impact, regularly making 15m when taking the ball up, its therefore not surprising to see an amazing 239 metres next to his name. Not far behind Kennedy was Steve Matai who made 199 metres most of which were made running from dummy half. Matai’s metres indicate that if he is moved into the second row next year he will certainly have the necessary skills.
In defence the second row pair of Luke Williamson and Glenn Stewart made 40 and 39 tackles respectively against a Parramatta side that was rolling up the field with amazing speed.
Shayne Dunley was put on report for using the knees however the replay clearly showed that Hayne dived at the ground as Dunley was coming in for the tackle. There was little to nothing Dunley could have done to avoid hitting Hayne, had Hayne not taken a dive there would have been nothing to write about.
Stephen Bell put in a good showing on his return from injury. Hopefully we will see the rest of the attacking arsenal back on the paddock after the bye.
Good news coming from the game is that Brent Kite wasn’t badly injured and is just suffering the effects from being hit in the head. Kite will make a full comeback after the bye.
Match Stats
Sea Eagles: Tries: Matai, Stephenson, Hicks, Williamson. Goals: Orford 1/4.
Eels: Tries: O'Dwyer 2, Burt 2, Hayne. Goals: Burt 5/5.
