Eels win as Sea Eagles blow it

The Parramatta Eels have travelled to Brookvale Oval and come away with a 32-26 win over the Manly Sea Eagles.

For the first 20 minutes Manly had the weight of possession as Parramatta struggled to complete their sets.

The Sea Eagles used the ball well as a Walker penalty goal and a Menzies try put them out to an 8-0 lead after just 11 minutes.

Shortly after Scott Donald set up a 60 metre team effort finished off by Andrew Walker to extend Manly?s lead by another 6.

When the Eels finally got their hands on to the ball they struck with three quick tries to stun Manly and take an 18-14 lead into half time.

The second half was a very tight affair with both sides scoring two tries a piece to leave the game in the balance at 28-26 to the Eels with 15 minutes left on the clock.

In the dying stages Manly had the chance to take the lead as Watmough made a big break but the final pass that put Torrens over the line was forward.

Moments later down the other end of the field David Vaealiki went over in the corner to rap up the match for the Eels, much to the displeasure of the Brookvale fans.

Brookvale Oval Referee: Sean Hampstead Video Referee: Chris Ward. Touch Judges: Paul Holland, Darren Gocher

Scorers: SEA EAGLES 26 Tries: Menzies, Walker, Cleal, Harris Goals: Walker 5/5 EELS 32 Tries: Petterson, Dykes, Cayless, Grothe, Stapelton, Vaealiki Goals: Burt 4/6

By the clock: 0 min: Kick-off!

4th min: NEWS - Luke Dwyer makes the first mistake of the match early on for Parramatta.

5th min: PENALTY GOAL - Sea Eagles. Parramatta give away a penalty and Andrew Walker kicks a goal to give Manly an early lead - Sea Eagles 2-0.

10th min: NEWS - The penalty count is 2 all as the match hits the ten minute mark.

11th min: TRY - Sea Eagles. The captain Steve Menzies gets across the line for the first try of the match. Andrew Walker converts - Sea Eagles 8-0.

16th min: NEWS - Mistakes are costing the Eels with 5 errors already.

17th min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Andrew Walker scores Manly's second try to extend their lead. Walker converts his own try - Sea Eagles 14-0.

22nd min: NEWS - No change to the score but the big battle for the Eels in this match so far has been trying to get their hands on the ball.

26th min: NEWS - Fui Fui Moi Moi has come off the bench to make his debut for Parramatta.

32nd min: TRY - Eels. Parramatta winger Matthew Petterson goes over for the Eels to bring them back into this match approaching half time. Burt converts - Sea Eagles 14-6.

36th min: TRY - Eels. Dykes backs up Cayless to score. Burt converts - Sea Eagles 14-12.

40th min: TRY - Eels. Nathan Cayless has crossed the line to steal the lead for Parramatta right on half time. Burt converts - Eels 18-14.

40th min: HALF TIME - It was a strong start from Manly but their 14 point lead has transformed into a 4 point deficit as the put on three quick tries before the break. Half time score - Sea Eagles 14 Eels 12.

41st min: The second half is underway!

46th min: NEWS - Manly have had to survive an early set in defence on their own line.

50th min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Kane Cleal wrestled his way over the line close to the posts. Walker converts - Sea Eagles 20-18.

54th min: TRY - Eels. Monaghan put a cross field bomb up but Eric Grothe Jnr managed to take it and sprint 98 metres to score a stunning try. Burt converts - Eels 24-20.

56th min: TRY - Eels. Matthew Petterson tapped back a bomb to Craig Stapelton who ran 10 metres to score. Burt fails to convert - Eels 28-20.

62nd min: NEWS - Manly have put repeat sets together as they try to chase down the Eels.

64th min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Sam Harris scores running off a Haumono ball. Walker converts - Eels 28-26.

70th min: NEWS - The game is in a bit of a holding period with a tense final 10 minutes ahead.

74th min: NEWS - The penalty count is 8-7 in the Eels favour while Manly have made 11 errors to Parramatta's 12.

77th min: NEWS - Manly have blown a try after a big break from Watmough but the pass to Torrens who scored was forward.

79th min: TRY - David Vaealiki has gone over in the corner to seal the match for the Eels. Burt fails to convert - Eels 32-26.

80th min: FULL TIME - It was a game that Manly should've won but as is the story of their season, poor defence and missed opportunities cost them. Full time score - Eels 32 Sea Eagles 26.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - N Hindmarsh (Eels) 2 - N Cayless (Eels) 1 - A Walker (Sea Eagles) -----------------------------------------