The Sydney Roosters would prove to be too strong for The Manly Sea Eagles in a clash that was closer than the final score suggests.
The Sydney Roosters would kick off. Manly started their first set off strongly with commanding runs from Yates, Povah & Clarke. The Roosters responded with strong runs from Spennati, Jones, Sheranzey and Sharp.
Neither team was able to gain a significant advantage over the other, however the Sea Eagles were in for a scare when Pragnell made a big break down the right hand side of the field that allowed the Roosters to put in a well executed kick on the fifth tackle which was well read by the Sea Eagles defense.
Strong running was displayed from the Sea Eagles with Schaberg, Yates and Clarke eating metres before a well timed cutout pass from Manly Halfback Harradine found his Winger Lowe with room to move, despite attention from the defense Lowe was able to go over for a four pointer.
The Roosters immediately responded with an attacking set led by powerhouse runs from
Bussell, Sharp & Spennati before Laybutt was able to manipulate a hole in the defensive line to go over the try line.
Manly Responded positively with a strong running set led by Povah, Lowe and Smith before Fullback Schaberg stepped his way into space and sped off for a try. A few sets later led by aggressive runs by Sheranzey, Bussell, Anderson & Sharp. The set finished in points when a clever pass out wide saw Fullback Gleizer over the line for a try.
HALF TIME
Sydney Roosters 10 - Manly Sea Eagles 8
The game resumed with Manly kicking off, which began an attritional period with both teams completing numerous sets and not conceding easy points. Most sets from the Sea Eagles featured strong hit ups from Lowe, Clarke & Yates however Manly was unable to convert these efforts into points on the board. Most sets from the Roosters saw strong contributions from Sheranzey, Bussell, Jones and Spennati with the fifth tackle option through Gleizer producing pressure more often than not.
A Manly Error gave the Roosters possession in good field position.Strong hit ups from Bussell, Jones and Laybutt saw the ball spread wide for big Sheranzey to make his way over the tryline despite defensive attention. The game was all but put to bed a set later when a good short ball found Sharp on the move near the defensive line.
The Sydney Roosters have continued to show why they are serious premiership contenders whilst Manly continue the search for answers to their continued drought.
Sydney Roosters 20
Tries: Marik Gleizer, Jamie Laybutt, Abdul Sheranzey, Ed Sharp
Goal Kicks: Ed Sharp, Jamie Laybutt
Defeat
Manly Sea Eagles 8
Tries: Rylee Lowe, Kyle Schaberg
Goal Kicks:
TEAMS
Manly Sea Eagles
1. Kyle Schaberg
2. Rylee Lowe
4. Nick Riches - Half Game
5. Jono Smith - Half Game
6. David Grech - Half Game
7. Jared Harradine - Able Body
8. Ed Jobson - Able Body
9. Jacob Povah
10. Steven Yates
12. Geoff Clarke ©
Sydney Roosters
1. Marik Gleizer ©
2. Jamie Laybutt
3. Joel Pragnell - Half Game
6. Will Smith - Able Body
7. Greg Sciberras - Able Body
8. Bill Bussell
9. Darren Jones
10. Marco Spennati
11. Craig Anderson - Half Game
12. Abdul Sheranzey
13. Ed Sharp
