Sea Eagles survive second half Storm assault

The Manly Sea Eagles put a week from hell behind them with a 24-22 win in front of 10,531 at Brookvale Oval tonight.

Extreme relief was evident on the face of Manly coach Geoff Toovey while his assistant coaches were congratulating him at full time.

The two point win over their arch rival Melbourne Storm showed once again his side has plenty of character and proved Manly are one of the best in the NRL at ignoring numerous off field distractions come game time.

Fullback Brett Stewart bagged a double and passed club legend Steve Menzies for most tries at Brookvale Oval.

The win didn't come without controversy.

In the 57th minute during Melbourne's second half comeback, Cooper Cronk placed a perfect pass to the charging Tim Glasby eight metres from the Manly try line. Brett Stewart brought Glasby to ground but momentum carried the strong forward over the line.

The on field referee declared it was no try when he sent it to the video referee; and there was not extra movement from Glasby's arm to place the ball down yet the referee kept the decision at no try.

The Storm we're trailing 24-6 in the 63rd minute when five-eight Blake Green scored his first of two tries.

He scored untouched as Manly were stretched on their right edge defence and two defenders slipped over in their attempt to tackle the try scorer.

Cameron Smith missed an easy conversion by only a few centimetres and those two points proved to be the difference between the teams.

Two more easy Melbourne tries would come in the space of 12 minutes due to a tiring Manly outfit and the final five minutes were played out at 24-22.

Daly Cherry-Evans was at his best and had a hand in three of the four Manly tries.

Taking advantage of some tired Melbourne forwards in the final 7 minutes of the first half, DCE threw an inside ball for Tom Symonds who burst through the line and passed to Brett Stewart for his first try.

Moments later it was a deft grubber kick behind the posts that allowed Blake Leary to score a try and the Jamie Lyon conversion to get the scoreboard at 18-6.

Manly went end to end from the resulting kickoff and DCE broke the line himself and set up Stewart for his record breaking try to go into halftime at 24-6.

The Melbourne Storm will host the Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park next Saturday, while Manly will host the Bulldogs next Friday night back at Brookvale Oval.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Daly Cherry-Evans
2 points - Brett Stewart
1 point - Billy Slater

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (24)
Tries: Steve Matai, Brett Stewart (2), Blake Leary
Conversions: Jamie Lyon (4/4)

MELBOURNE STORM (22)
Tries: Young Tonumaipea, Blake Green (2), Will Chambers
Conversions: Cameron Smith (3/4)

Welcome to the second match of Saturday night football where the Manly Sea Eagles will take on the Melbourne Storm. Last minute changes have been made to both sides, with Manly coach Geoff Toovey giving his side a complete makeover. Jack Littlejohn is out and Jamie Buhrer who was not named to play has been passed as fit and will play five-eighth. Brenton Lawrence is a scratching due to injury with Luke Burgess to start in his place. Jake Trbojevic will play his first match of the season off the bench and 18th man Justin Horo drops out. Melbourne have named Tom Learoyd-Lahrs to replace the suspended Felise Kafusi.

1: We have kick off at Brookvale Oval and the rivalry is set to continue! Melbourne won the toss and elected to receive first.

2: Great metres for the Storm in the first set. Cronk puts up a bomb and it is defused by Cheyse Blair on his 10 metre line.

4: Melbourne strong up the middle and Cronk goes for the sky again and Brett Stewart defuses the bomb.

4: Peta Hiku makes a half break on the right wing and picks up 30 metres.

5: Penalty for Manly! Cherry-Evans kicks towards and gets the Sea Eagles 20m from the Storm's goal line.

6: Little creativity first up by Manly but Jordan McLean gives away a penalty on fifth tackle. Another set for Manly.

6: Matai went for the pass to hook up with Cheyse Balir but Young Tonumaipea knocks the ball away. The Sea Eagles get a third set of six in a row.

8: Jamie Lyon goes short side on the right hand side of the field. He places a grubber kick into the corner and Peta Hiku may have got there. Up to the video referee we go!

8: The decision is knock on Peta Hiku. The right call. Melbourne get a 20m optional restart.

9: Melbourne go from end to end in one set and again the attacking kick of choice is a bomb by Cronk. This time it was for Hiku and he defused it with no challenge from the Storm.

10: Cameron Smith holds on too long and gives away the penalty. Manly will kick to touch from their 30 metre line.

10: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Steve Matai. Kick to come.
Feleti Mateo charges at the line, draws two defenders and offloads the ball to Buhrer. The Buhrer line break forces Billy Slater to commit and Buhrer passes to his support player Steve Matai to score under the posts.

11: Manly are targeting the middle corridor to make metres. They make 55m from the first set after points and kick the ball down to the Storm's 10 metre line.

11: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Easy does it! Lyon adds the extras without issue. Manly lead.

12: Penalty Storm! Undisciplined play in the ruck leads to the ref's call.

12: Penalty Storm. Hands in the ruck gives the Storm another set. Manly is under the pump now.

14: Tackle five and there was nothing doing. Cameron Smith gives passes to a charging forward and he did not go close to reaching the line. Manly gets possession 3 metres out.

15: Manly continue the assault up the middle of the park and kick for the sideline where Young Tonumaipea leaves it going out over the 10m line. Storm get the scrum feed.

16: Blake Green kicks away after the Storm make 40 metres. Stewart fields the ball from 10m out.

17: Cherry-Evans places a towering bomb, the crowd got behind and Billy Slater knocked it backwards. Tonumaipea fields it and begins the Storm set.

18: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Young Tonumaipea. Kick to come.
Try Melbourne Storm! Billy Slater at halfway slides down the right hand side of the field and with a line ball pass sets Tonumaipea away. With only Stewart to beat and two support players Tonumaipea wrong foots Stewart and goes untouched in the corner. Kick to come.

19: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
From the sideline Smith starts it left and just fits it in between the posts. Scoreboard reflects the even game and breaks are appearing on the edges for both sides.

20: Storm make 55m on the first set after points. Stewart takes a miraculous take after a special swirling bomb from Cooper Cronk.

21: Hiku is down after receiving a hard knock to his knee. Dale Finucane comes in late around the legs and is called play on. Manly fans think it's a penalty.

23: A good set from the Storm. The air assault continues from the Storm but Brett Stewart is unfazed as he takes an easy catch 5m out.

24: A long kick from Cherry-Evans which Tounaipea returns. Dunami Lui nailed Tonumaipea! You'll find that on the highlights at the end of the match.

25: A desperate kick on the last from Tonumaipea forces a Stewart knock on. Six more for the Storm.

27: Jesse Bromwich takes three Manly players over the line and in his attempt to put the ball down he spills it. Referee thinks no try but has sent it up to the video ref.

27: No try is the call. Manly start their set on the 20m line.

29: Strong metres made by Manly. From 30m out Cherry-Evans chip kicks for the right corner, chase are on time but the ball just trickles over the dead ball line. Melbourne get possession from 20m out.

30: Melbourne are favouring their right side for their attack. A grubber goes through by William Chambers and a Manly player kicks at it. Chambers regain the ball and it's six more.

31: The Manly defence is proving strong and Melbourne surprisingly don't have much creativity in attack. A fifth tackle bomb to the right corner sees Tonumaipea knocks the ball on.

33: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Brett Stewart. Kick to come.
The customary Brett Stewart Brookvale Oval try is here! Cherry-Evans puts Tom Symonds on his inside from 40m out and he's in the clear. Stewart loomed in support and out ran the Melbourne chasers and he puts the ball down right next to the posts.

34: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
The crowd are happy and Manly are putting all the off field dramas behind them. They truly are the best in the NRL at that!

35: Melbourne are bunched in the middle of the field and are tired. A long kick is required from Cronk at the 40m line to gain more metres.

36: The Storm legally rake the ball out of the Manly player's hands but Manly regain possession. Six more from 40m out.

38: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Blake Leary. Kick to come.
Try Sea Eagles! Cherry-Evans is taking all responsibility of the attack. A grubber on tackle four behind the posts picked the Storm out as Billy Slater was nowhere near the play. Leary is the only chaser for either side and has an easy grounding.

38: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
From in front of the posts he dots the T's and crosses the I's.

39: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Brett Stewart. Kick to come.
Melbourne are extremely tired and Cherry-Evans is taking full advantage! From halfway Cherry-Evans fakes the pass and runs untouched around Blake Green. Brett Stewart loomed in support and receives the pass from DCE. Billy Slater gets Stewart around the legs but it was too late, Stewart was over.

40: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
As easy as it gets. Manly go into halftime well on top.

40: At half time the game has not gone to script. Consider outsiders at their Brookvale Oval fortress the Manly forwards went hard early and they wore the Storm down. With the Storm reeling the last 20 minutes of the first half allowed DCE to take the line on and provide a master class in making gaps for support runners. There's nothing to believe that the onslaught will stop in the second half. Join us for the second half in a few moments time.

40: Don't forget the Storm were down 18-0 in this match at Brookvale last year and they came back to win 19-18. The Storm's set plays have been not been executed and has similar rust to what they displayed against the Dragons in round 1. Billy Slater has been the Storm's best so far. One can assume Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy will be ripping into his side at half time and the spray may get the team back on track. Manly haven't had to be too creative to breach the Storm's line, if the Storm muscle up the Sea Eagles will have to rely on a Buhrer, DCE combination with very little history to get points.

40: Eagle rock is playing here and now the kick off to start the second half. Manly to receive.

41: Sea Eagles start with an average set and place a bomb deep into the Storm's half.

42: Chambers and Tonumaipea make 30m down the right hand side. Cronk puts a bomb to the left corner from 10m out and Koroibete makes the catch but is tackled 5 metres out. Hand over to Manly.

43: Manly get to halfway by the fifth tackle and DCE puts a low kick into the left corner for Tonumaipea to return.

45: Melbourne are heavily favouring the left edge defence of Manly. Slater attempts to put Chambers into space but Manly defence forces Chambers to knock the ball on. Manly ball 40m away from the try line.

46: Manly look dangerous but their fifth tackled option was poor. Peta Hiku attempts a 5m grubber kick and Slater easily fields it. Hiku tries to drag Slater into touch and is penalised.

47: Coming out of their half once again the Storm go for Chambers. He makes about 15m dragging two players and offloads. Metres are being made but Manly don't look like conceding any points.

48: Kevin Proctor gives away a penalty on Manly's basic kick return. DCE kicks out to halfway.

49: Manly are putting the ball through the hands towards Matai. The second time they did it the Matai threw a ball into touch looking to link up with his winger.

50: The Storm make great metres and tackle Blair 10m out from his line.

51: A kick on fourth tackle from DCE makes 65m and forces Tonumaipea to field the ball in his in goal.

52: Kurt Mann loses the ball in the tackle and Sene-Lefao knocks the ball on in attempting to pick it up. Storm will get the scrum feed.

53: More metres for the Storm through Chambers, 20m this time. The Storm are working this to death.

54: After starting their set from 10m out Manly through Matai throws a forward pass on tackle two. Melbourne get the scrum 20m out.

56: The Storm try a set play and finally use the left side of the field. Marika Koroibete got close to scoring but is stopped. Cameron Smith puts a grubber in on the fifth tackle and forces the repeat set from Stewart.

57: Cronk puts an excellent short ball to the charging Tim Glasby. Straight through a hole he goes and Stewart comes across to make contact. Stewart pulls him down short but momentum rolls Glasby over. The ref sends it to the video referee signalling no try and no try is ruled, due to a double movement. It looked bad in slow motion but the Storm have been denied. A poor decision.

57: Manly drop the ball at 40m out and the Storm will again assault the Manly try line.

57: Two penalties in the space of 30 seconds. Both come within 5m of the Manly line. The Storm need to make this count, this is their chance to get back in the game.

57: Hinchcliffe makes a strong run at the line and while dragging defenders he is pulled down 1m from the line and knocks the ball on attempting to reach out for the line. Manly avoid a serious threat and will work away from their line.

57: Penalty Manly. Holding on in the tackle forces the whistle. DCE's kick for the sideline stays in the field of play from some excellent skill from a diving Billy Slater and Melbourne will run the ball up from their 10m line.

59: Tonumaipea requires medical attention after being in an unfortunate position in the tackle. He's back on his feet and play continues.

61: A fifth tackle bomb from Melbourne is contested by Manly and Melbourne. The ball was knocked back by Melbourne and the ref thought it hit a Manly head, then a Manly player fielded the ball in an offside position and the penalty is given. Replay shows the ball came off a Melbourne head and Geoff Toovey is blowing up.

63: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Blake Green. Kick to come.
A very easy try for the Storm. Cam Smith from in front of the posts at dummy half passes to first receiver Blake Green and two Manly players fall over in their attempt to lay hands on Green. Toovey is EXTREMELLY MAD now! Tune in for the press conference folks!

64: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith unsuccessful.
Smith misses a conversion he normally makes from half way between the sideline and the middle of the park.

65: Storm go end to end from their first set off points. The Storm did not realise they had fifth tackle and a desperate kick results in nothing. Stewart fields the ball on his line.

67: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Will Chambers. Kick to come.
An error in play allows Marika Korobete to run at full speed! He gains 65m and is tackled, he passes to Kurt Mann and he's tackled in another try saver. The next play sees Melbourne spread the ball from the left touch line to the right and finally Melbourne break through the line and Will Chambers scores an easy try.

67: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
Gets his kicking back on track.

70: Melbourne make an error at the end of their set and Manly are on the attack. They'll likely be in an attacking position come fifth tackle.

71: Tom Symonds has the ball on tackle five and he loses it. The lack of the Foran, DCE combination really showing there. Storm muscle up on their line.

71: Manly have the ball after a good Melbourne set of six. DCE breaks through two tired forwards and is pulled down after a 30m run.

74: Manly give up possession due to some sloppy passing and Melbourne are charging up through the middle. Both teams are tired and metres are coming very easy.

75: TRY MELBOURNE STORM
Scored by Blake Green. Kick to come.
Controversial! Melbourne easily make 90m through normal play and Blake Green goes over the line and was ruled to have lost the ball. The video referee was brought in to review the play and the call is overturned. The second try for the game for Green. The Manly crowd is quiet.

76: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MELBOURNE STORM
Conversion attempt by Cameron Smith successful.
No mistake by Cam Smith. There is plenty of time left in this game. More points are almost guaranteed, we just don't know which team will score.

77: Melbourne break through on the right side. The heavy traffic all night finally pays off with Slater and Chambers gain 50m.

78: Melbourne cough up the ball on tackle four and Manly will start their set.

79: Big metres gained by Manly and a Jamie Lyon bomb to Manly's right edge catches Kurt Mann offside. Penalty and six more for Manly.

80: Manly go side to side and fifth tackle results in Slater fielding a grubber. In an extremely difficult position Slater makes no mistake. It's a penalty! Dangerous tackle on Slater. 45 seconds remain for the Storm to go end to end. The penalty gives them a free 30m.

80: The Storm go to their right side attack and Melbourne go through the hands. Jamie Buhrer makes a strong tackle on Will Chambers and forces the ball out. Knock on Melbourne and with 30 seconds to go Manly need to win the scrum and hold onto the ball to win.

80: There is the final whistle! Manly survive a late Melbourne surge to the joy of the Manly faithful at Brookvale Oval tonight. Both teams will be battered and bruised. An excellent win for Manly to provide some stability on their season.

80: Well the most critical play tonight came on a conversion kick by Cameron Smith. It was a kick he'd normally make from halfway between the touch line and the goal posts on the left side of the field but he missed the left upright by only a few centimetres. An amazing milestone for Brett Stewart tonight. He passed Steve Menzies for the most tries at Brookvale Oval. Stay tuned for out match report and thank you for joining us tonight. Celebrate tonight Manly fans! Good night!