Broncos out-muscle Sea
Eagles

Round 16
Manly Sea Eagles 10 v Brisbane Broncos 16
at Brookvale Oval
Referees: Shayne Hayne

Match Summary:
The Brisbane Broncos have secured a 16-10 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles today in a match resembling an old-fashioned arm wrestle of yesteryear.

It is the Bronco?s first win at Brookvale Oval since 1992 and it didn?t come easily with jarring forward clashes a feature throughout. The two points keeps them touch with competition leaders Melbourne Storm and they are now sitting in third position overall, looking ominous during the Origin period which is often difficult for them.

The Broncos notched up a handy 10-nil first half lead after dominating possession and stifling the Manly attack, rarely allowing them any useful field position.

After a few half chances, Darius Boyd posted the first try in the 23rd minute, filling the boots left by regular custodian Karmichael Hunt. Darren Lockyer created a gap and found centre Shaun Berrigan who set up Boyd well with a flick pass. Then with 10 minutes to go in the first half, reliable Manly forward Steve Menzies threw an uncharacteristically bad pass forward of his mark to Broncos centre Justin Hodges, providing a clear passage to the line.

The Broncos picked up where they left off in the second half, scoring a brilliant individual try though hard-running winger Brent Tate. He went himself from 60 metres out and beat his opposite before standing-up speedy Manly fullback Brent Stewart to push the lead out to 14-0 and making things very difficult for the Sea Eagles to recover.

But they almost mounted what would have been Brisbane?s second last-gasp defeat in as many weeks, beginning in the 52nd minute through Stewart who was found lurking infield by halfback Matt Orford and put under the sticks for the home side?s first try of the day.

Manly then began to set the pace with heavy hits and powerful runs the order of the day. With 12 minutes to go Steve Matai crossed after Michael Robertson flew high for a cross-field kick and batted it back to the pony-tailed three-quarter who scored in the corner.

With Burns missing the extras Manly trailed by 14-10 and searched far and wide for a try. With three minutes to go the Broncos booted a penalty goal when Lockyer was hit high and late from a clearing kick and the game looked over.

A short kick-off resulting in a fumble by Brisbane handed possession back to Manly in good field position and the crowd got behind their team. And they made good use of the ball going wide and early and exposing some tired defence. Matai committed a cruel mistake in the final stages however, giving a pass he didn?t need to close to the line and grassing any hopes the Sea Eagles had of pulling this one out of the fire.

Regardless of the loss, Manly still look to be a solid outfit and will press for a top-four position. They face off against the Knights at home next week in another blockbusting Friday night encounter.

For Brisbane, they again proved themselves to be a high quality unit and they are coping well with the stress of the Origin period. Today was a crucial victory as they host the in-form Sharks next Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium.


Scorers:
Manly Sea Eagles: 10
Tries: Brett Stewart, Steve Matai
Goals: Travis Burns 1/2
Brisbane Broncos: 16
Tries: Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Darius Boyd
Goals: Corey Parker 2/4

Halftime: Broncos 10-0
Crowd: 16,084

By the Clock:
Cool day here on the peninsula where the Sea Eagles are looking to continue their solid form at home.

Manly as per the program.

Brisbane have lost Fraser Anderson, with Tate moving to the wing and Berrigan moving to the centres. Seymour moves into the hooking role and Carroll goes back to the bench with Thorn promoted to the starting side.

1 min: NEWS Brisbane get us underway in the first half.

3 min: NEWS Berrigan knocks-on close to his own line, opening up a great attacking opportunity for Manly.

4 min: NEWS Robertson goes close to scoring but some great defence by Hodges prevents a try.

7 min: NEWS Broncos go on the attack after a handling error by the Sea Eagles.

10 min: NEWS Manly hold-out the Broncos showing some stout defence. Both sides are making a few handling errors whilst the forward battle is beginning to heat up.

15 min: NEWS Brent Stewart narrowly misses scoring after being cut down short of the line and loosing possession.

20 min: NEWS The forwards are firing at the moment. Some big hits involving Kennedy, Civoniceva and Matai is getting involved as well. Neither side is particularly fond of the other.

23 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos open up the scoring through makeshift fullback Darius Boyd. Berrigan found some room on the short eastern side of the field after a good ball from Lockyer. Boyd loomed up and took a classy flick pass from Berrigan. Parker missed the goal from out wide.
Broncos 4-0

25 min: NEWS Now it's Brisbane's turn to step up as Manly start asking some serious questions of their defence.

30 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
A wayward pass from Steve Menzies is pounced upon by Justin Hodges and he races 30m to score under the posts. Brisbane are getting on top of them at the moment as Parker converts and extends the lead.
Broncos 10-0

35 min: NEWS Brisbane dominating possession at the moment and pressing the line hard. They haven't found another way through the Manly defence as yet, but you get the feeling if the Sea Eagles could get some reasonable field position they might post points.

40 min: NEWS The boys head to the sheds with the Broncos leading 10-0 and both teams have really gone hard here in the first half.

Brisbane are playing very well but should probably be up by another try. Their forwards are dominating the exchanges and their defence is frustrating Manly.

Meanwhile, I think the Sea Eagles will be content that they can win the game if they get some good possession, field position and cut down their errors.

41 min: NEWS Manly restart proceedings here at Brooky.

45 min: NEWS Both teams just feeling out each other in the opening exchanges in the second half.

46 min: TRY Brisbane Broncos
And the scorers are troubled for the first time this half with Brent Tate scoring a brilliant individual try. He got on the outside of his man and went 60m to score, giving a great in-an-away to Brent Stewart. Parker fails with his third attempt of the day.
Broncos 14-0

47 min: NEWS Travis Burns placed on report for a high tackle on Thaiday.

50 min: NEWS Dunley denied a try after the pass was ruled forward. They needed a try here to get back into the mix, but it wasn't to be.

52 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Manly are in with a sparkling try to Brent Stewart under the posts after backing up his playmaker Orford. Burns slots the goal and the home team are back with a shot.
Broncos 14-6

60 min: NEWS Some mistakes creeping into the game but the contest it heavily defence oriented. It's a good old fashioned arm-wrestle this one.

68 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Manly are well back into the game here with Steve Matai scoring a great try, with Kennedy heavily involved in taking the ball forward before Robertson grabbed a kick and off-loaded to Matai who went over in the corner. Burns misses from the sideline, but they still needed another try to win anyhow.
Broncos 14-10

72 min: NEWS Broncos hold-off an attacking raid by the Sea Eagles as the home team start throwing caution to the wind.

77 min: NEWS Three minutes to go and the Broncos are repelling everything the Sea Eagles have got.

78 min: PENALTY GOAL Brisbane Broncos
Parker lands a penalty goal after a cheap shot on Lockyer. Silly stuff from Bryant.
Broncos 16-10

79 min: NEWS Manly have a scrum feed 35m out after the Broncos knocked-on a short kick-off.

79 min: NEWS The Sea Eagles butcher a great chance after Matai throws a poor pass when it appeared all he need to do was go another metre and score.

80 min: NEWS Fulltime: The Broncos secure their first victory at Brookvale in 1992.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Ben Kennedy
2 - Petero Civoniceva
1 - Brent Tate
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