Sea Eagles suffer tough loss
Author : Wayne Cousins
Sea Eagles suffer tough loss in Harold Matthews opener
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles opened their Harold Matthews Cup season with a 38-6 loss to the Western Suburbs Magpies at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Following a very physical start to the game from both sides, it was the Magpies who opened the scoring when hooker Dylan Brown caught the defence napping from dummy half for a 6-0 lead.
A converted try to centre Heamasi Makasini saw Wests take a 12-0 lead into half-time as tempers flared between both sides walking to the tunnel.
After holding up Wests twice over the line early in the second half.
The Sea Eagles were rewarded when a towering kick from five-eighth Oliver Jones saw Wests full-back Luke Laulilii allow the ball to bounce for Joshua Weightman to swoop to score under the posts.
Half-back Jackson Cahill-Smith converted for a 12-6 scoreline.
Passion…Joshua Weightman celebrates his try against Wests
Passion…Joshua Weightman celebrates his try against Wests
©David Hossack (NRL Photos)
From the re-start, Manly full-back Reilly Caswell was called up for a forward pass, allowing the Magpies a scrum feed 10 metres out.
Three plays later, Wests second-rower Byron Laupepa fended off Cahill-Smith to score next to the posts for an 18-6 lead.
Further tries to Laulilii, Makasini, and Onitoni Large saw the Magpies blow the scoreline wide open.
Manly Coach Aron Watts said it was a tough first up loss in a very physical encounter that saw Wests run in seven tries to one.
“I thought just before half time we let an opportunity slip. We were then able to get back into the game at 12-6 down early but the mistake from the kick off proved costly,” Watts said.
Trapped bird…Sea Eagles full-back Reilly Caswell does his best to reign in a runaway Magpie. (Photo : Steve Montgomery)
“The boys tried hard but our execution let us down. We had a good chat after the game and are looking forward to our next match.”
The Sea Eagles have a bye this weekend before tackling the Canberra Raiders in their first home game at 4 Pines Park on Saturday, February 18. Kick-off 12.30pm.
Lack of composure proves costly in SG Ball loss
Author : Wayne Cousins
Lack of composure proves costly in SG Ball loss
A lack of composure at crucial stages has seen the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles go down in the opening round of the NSWRL SG Ball Cup.
Trailing 16-12 at half-time, the Sea Eagles felt the pressure in the second half to lose 40-18 to the Western Suburbs Magpies at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Lack of composure proves costly in SG Ball loss (Photo : Steve Montgomery)
The Sea Eagles ran in two first half tries to centre Koby Douglas and second-rower Mitchell Taottua to be within earshot of the home side before the Magpies applied the blowtorch in the second half.
“We were a little unlucky, we were in the game for long periods but a lack of composure with the ball put pressure on our defence,’’ said Sea Eagles Coach Brett Fulton.
“Ultimately, we let in a number of tries late in the game when we lost two of our middle forwards to injury.
“(Winger) Lehi Hopoate, (prop) Devante Mihinui and (lock) Rene Bagon all had good games.
“I thought our captain and half-back Tylor Bunting also played solidly with a badly broken nose.
“Our middle forward stocks have taken a big hit, but it will be next man up as we take on the Warriors next round.”
The Sea Eagles play the Warriors at Navigation Home Stadium, Pukekohe, on Sunday, February 12.
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