Manly bash Eels but let lead slide

The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles served up a first-half treat for their fans at Brookvale Oval, defeating the Parramatta Eels 40-24 after taking a 34-0 lead to the break in front of 16,065 fans.

The star of the show for Manly in the first forty was none other than winger David Williams, who was able to cross on four occasions for the hosts as they steamrolled the Eels with one of the most dominant halves of footy this season.

Parramatta went into the clash missing regular fullback and Blues winger Jarryd Hayne, as well as centre Ryan Morgan. As a result, debutant Jake Mullaney was elevated to starting fullback and tasked with taking on a Manly side missing only second-rower Glenn Stewart.

Things started terribly for the Eels, Luke Burt giving the Eagles the ball early following a poor play-the-ball. A set later David Williams crossed for his first try of the afternoon.

In a first half that was full of tries, there was one other moment of note - Eels captain Nathan Hindmarsh and Manly centre Steve Matai coming together after the Kiwi firebrand claimed a grapple tackle from Hindmarsh - but ultimately Matai was punished for throwing the first punch to cause the fight.

Parramatta were unable to capitalise on the ensuing penalty - and Manly summarily went up the other end to give the man they call "Wolfman" his second. From here the floodgates opened, with Brett Stewart and Daly Cherry-Evans also getting their names on the scoresheet, while David Williams picked up another to put the home side up 28-0. The Manly side then had one more shot at points heading into halftime, where Williams crossed again to take his tally to four tries - and Manly to a 34-0 halftime lead. Jamie Lyon managed a 5 from 6 record with the boot.

Manly seemingly were looking to keep the party going and a Brett Stewart try in the 45th minute certainly gave the Brookvale faithful that impression - but immediately after the try to "Snake", it fell apart for them as both Stewart and winger Jorge Taufua, who had been lethal with Stewart in the first half, went off injured. Joe Galuvao soon followed and Manly were looking very depleted.

It showed - with Parramatta not only getting on the scoreboard but netting 24 points in the final twenty minutes of the contest to close the margin to 16 points. Ken Sio bagged a double as the Eels warmed up for their contest next Friday against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.

The Sea Eagles now climb to fourth on the ladder, equal with a number of other clubs pursuing Melbourne and Canterbury. They travel to Hunter Stadium at 5:30pm to face the lowly Knights.

Match Details
Manly Sea Eagles 40 defeated Parramatta Eels 24
National Rugby League - Round 18 - Sunday July 8, 2012 3:00pm
Venue: Brookvale Oval
Referees: Shayne Hayne and Alan Shortall
Video Referee: Steve Clark
Touch Judges: Steve Carrall and Jason Walsh
Crowd: 16,065
Halftime: Manly Sea Eagles 34 Parramatta Eels 0

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Brent Kite
2 Points - Brett Stewart (2 Tries)
1 Point - David Williams (4 Tries)

MANLY SEA EAGLES (40)
Tries: Brett Stewart (2), David Williams (4), Daly Cherry-Evans
Conversions: Jamie Lyon (6/7)

PARRAMATTA EELS (24)
Tries: Luke Burt, Jake Mullaney, Ken Sio (2)
Conversions: Luke Burt (4/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Manly near full strength for Sunday arvo footy, with only Glenn Stewart missing. He's a late omission - Daniel Harrison will start at lock in jersey 19. For Parramatta, Jarryd Hayne and Ryan Morgan are OUT, replaced by Jake Mullaney (fullback) and Willie Tonga (centre). Justin Poore drops back to the bench while the forward pack all moves down a number (Hindmarsh to prop). Joseph Paulo will play at lock in jersey 14.
FULLTIME in Toyota Cup today, the Sea Eagles snuck home 24-22 after Parramatta led 22-20 late in the game.
Underway at Brookvale, and in their first set Parramatta have come up with an error through Luke Burt. Manly scrum.
4 min: TRY
TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Scored by David Williams. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
And just like that the Eagles are on the board - Kieran Foran with a cross field kick, finds Lyon who taps it back and David Williams collects the scraps. Conversion is good, just, from Lyon.
Manly Sea Eagles 6-0
6 min: Parramatta's last tackle kick goes dead, Manly 20m restart.
8 min: This time Manly come up with an error just 25m from their own line. Good chance for the Eels here.
9 min: Parramatta come up with the error playing the ball on tackle two - Cheyse Blair stuffing up the play-the-ball.
12 min: Fisticuffs! Matai alleges that Nathan Hindmarsh grappled him in the tackle, gets up and throws a punch. Matai penalised for the punch.
13 min: Willie Tonga spills it just as the Eels looked to be piecing together some good attack.
16 min: TRY
TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Scored by David Williams. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon unsuccessful.
Beautiful backline movement and the Sea Eagles are in again, David Williams with two today. Lyon's conversion just fades away and misses.
Manly Sea Eagles 10-0
19 min: Penalty Manly just near halfway on the last - Watmough earns it for his side, now more defence to do for the Eels...
20 min: Manly lose it on tackle two.
23 min: TRY
TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Scored by Brett Stewart. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Jorge Taufua finds space up the middle and who else but Brett Stewart is backing up inside him to take the ball over the line... Lyon converts, Manly now up by sixteen!
Manly Sea Eagles 16-0
27 min: TRY
TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Scored by David Williams. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Stewart breaks into the backfield and could probably have scored himself but puts it inside for David Williams who grabs his third! Lyon converts, danger signs for Parramatta...
Manly Sea Eagles 22-0
28 min: Justin Poore offside fro the kickoff for Parramatta. Penalty Manly. Dear oh dear...
31 min: TRY
TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Scored by Daly Cherry-Evans . Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Matai with the break, finds Jorge Taufua inside him, and here's Daly in support! Cherry-Evans adds another try to the Manly tally. Lyon converts.
Manly Sea Eagles 28-0
38 min: Manly with one last attacking chance.
40 min: TRY
TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Scored by David Williams. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
"Wolfman" Williams unstoppable today - four tries for David! Lyon converts for one of the most dominant first halves this season to finish with Manly in front 34-0.
Manly Sea Eagles 34-0
40 min: Both sides back on the park for the second half at Brookie, and we're underway. Parramatta to hit the ball up first.
41 min: Already an Eels error, Fuifui Moimoi spills it just inside his own half.
46 min: TRY
TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Scored by Brett Stewart. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Here we go again... Brett Stewart into space and scores easily. Lyon adds the extras and Manly have that magical 2008 Grand Final scoreline now - 40-nil.
Manly Sea Eagles 40-0
48 min: INJURIES: both Brett Stewart and Jorge Taufua are off for Manly, Taufua has a cork, not sure on Stewart just yet.
53 min: TRY
TRY Parramatta Eels
Scored by Jake Mullaney. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful.
Jake Mullaney finds his way through the Manly defenders to score the Eels' first. Burt converts.
Manly Sea Eagles 40-6
57 min: Momentum seemingly swinging to Parramatta at the moment - they can't win this fixture from here but with three Eagles off through injury they're full of running at the moment, Daly Cherry Evans forced to play a bit of fullback.
63 min: TRY
TRY Parramatta Eels
Scored by Ken Sio. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful.
Parramatta with a fair bit of running in them now, Manly struggling being down to 14 men. Sio scores in the corner, Burt converts.
Manly Sea Eagles 40-12
67 min: Parramatta have another go at the Manly line but there's a forward pass in there somewhere, Manly scrum.
72 min: Manly have the ball in Parramatta territory but have given up possession - the Eels then go up the other end and spill it as well.
73 min: Shades of the first half on Friday night between Wests and Canterbury, lots of errors. Manly spill it on their own 30m. Eels scrum.
75 min: TRY
TRY Parramatta Eels
Scored by Ken Sio. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful.
Things getting interesting now, Ken Sio with the try in the corner, his second of the day. Burt with a perfect sideline conversion.
Manly Sea Eagles 40-18
78 min: Manly looking dangerous down the left side, shut down though, Buhrer put into touch.
80 min: TRY
TRY Parramatta Eels
Scored by Luke Burt. Conversion attempt by Luke Burt successful.
Terrible second half for Manly, Luke Burts scores the Eels fourth and final try of the match just before the final siren. He converts his own effort.
Manly Sea Eagles 40-24