Manly beat Bulldogs in a thriller

Round 25
Manly Sea Eagles 21 v Canterbury Bulldogs 20
at Brookvale Oval
Referee: Sean Hampstead

Match Summary:
The Manly Sea Eagles have claimed a thoroughly exciting 21-20 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval tonight. The Sea Eagles led 18-12 at half time.

Manly opened the scoring inside two minutes off a fairly lucky bounce. Monaghan put in a clearing kick, El Masri let the ball bounce allowing Orford to recover the ball and race away to score. The lead was extended to 12-0 after seven minutes after winger Michael Robertson out jumped Bulldogs defenders to dot down out wide.

The Bulldogs came storming back however, with Nate Myles crashing over from close range. Andrew Ryan tied the game up with another close range try after 25 minutes. Matt Orford landed a penalty goal near the end of the half, while Shayne Dunley scored a contentious try just on half time.

The try scoring for the night was completed just after half time, with Emelio running through a large gap to score. On 65 minutes Andrew Ryan was denied a try by the video referee, despite it being quite similar to the Dunley try in the first half.

Manly retook the lead with 12 minutes to go after the Bulldogs were found offside after a Patten error. An El Masri penalty goal meant that the 20,163 crowd would get their moneys worth. After Brett Stewart was denied a try from dummy half, Orford was able to set easily for a field goal, and with two minutes to go he slotted him the winning point.

Next week Manly make the tough road trip south to Melbourne to face the Storm, while the Bulldogs travel west to face the Panthers.

Scorers:
Manly Sea Eagles: 21
Tries: Shayne Dunley, Matt Orford, Michael Robertson
Goals: Matt Orford 4/5
Field Goals: Matt Orford
Canterbury Bulldogs: 20
Tries: Nate Myles, Andrew Ryan, Andrew Emelio
Goals: Hazem El Masri 4/4

By the Clock:
Good evening from Brookvale Oval. Tonight we have the Sea Eagles hosting a depleted Bulldogs team.

Last week Manly dealt to Souths 38-16, while the Bulldogs were hammered 30-0 by the Broncos.

Earlier in the year the Sea Eagles destroyed the Dogs 40-14.

The Bulldogs will play 1-17. Rose is on the bench for Manly.

1 min: We're underway at Brookvale. There is the possibility of thunderstorms tonight.

2 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
The Sea Eagles put in a clearing kick, El Masri lets it bounce, Orford recovers the ball and darts away to score. Orford converts.
Sea Eagles 6-0

5 min: The Bulldogs have a kick partially blocked, it is ruled not to have been played at and Utai gets tackled on the last.

7 min: Watmough and Miles have a bit of a push and shove in backplay.

7 min: VIDEO REF - For a Manly try...

7 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Orford puts up a cross field kick, Robertson outjumps El Masri and dots down out wide. Orford converts from touch.
Sea Eagles 12-0

9 min: Maitua penalised for a high tackle on the try scorer.

10 min: Manly have the Bulldogs overawed at the moment.

14 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
After a magnificent Patten kick return the Bulldogs get a penalty. Myles gets a short ball to crash over next to the posts. El Masri converts.
Sea Eagles 12-6

18 min: During a great hitup by Kite, Sonny Bill knocks the ball out of his grasp.

20 min: The Bulldogs get a lucky six-again call off a non-existant charge down, the Bulldogs get a dud call on a knock on a play later. Orford makes a break from the scrum base.

21 min: While Manly are hot on attack, Burns is penalised in possession for an improper play the ball despite Sherwin knocking him off his feet.

22 min: The Bulldogs go very close on the last tackle.

23 min: INJURY - Matai looking very groggy after being tackled. Manly are running through the Bulldogs like a good curry. The Manly defence isn't much better.

25 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Ryan gets across in similar fashion to Myles. This time it is a long pass from dummy half that had Ryan inside his defender and he crashed over. El Masri converts.
12 all.

30 min: Orford puts in a banana kick, Ryan takes it on the full and returns in with great strength.

31 min: 40/20 - Sherwin kicks fromm just inside the 40, finds touch just inside the 10.

32 min: Utai spills the ball with the line begging.

33 min: Matai breaks and kicks ahead. Penalty Manly as he was taken out after kicking.

34 min: Stewart attempts to dive over from dummy half, but he loses the ball in the process.

36 min: PENALTY GOAL Manly Sea Eagles
The Bulldogs are penalised for slowing down the play the ball. Orford nails the penalty goal.
Sea Eagles 14-12

37 min: Holdsworth penalised for a high tackle on Dunley.

38 min: VIDEO REF - For a Manly try...

38 min: TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Dunley runs right through the Bulldogs defence and score. Very questionable call. Orford misses.
Sea Eagles 18-12

Halftime: The Bulldogs did well to recover from trailing by 12 very early, but faltered late in the half and trail 18-12.

40 min: Back underway at Brookie, and the rain comes down.

42 min: Another clearing kick bounces brilliantly for Manly, but they get penalised for being offside.

43 min: TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
With Orford down injured, the Bulldogs find a gap in the defensive line and Emelio strolls across the tryline. Yet again very similar to the first two Bulldogs tries. El Masri converts.
18 all.

45 min: Menzies forces a Bulldogs error right in front of the posts just after the restart.

47 min: INJURY - Orford off the field after picking up a knee injury.

49 min: INJURY - Brad Morrin (Bulldogs) out for the night with a partial dislocation of his kneecap.

51 min: INJURY UPDATE - Orford getting his knee strapped. He may be able to return tonight.

53 min: It is really hosing down at the moment.

57 min: Plenty of errors in the game, not helped by the rain. McIlwain smashed by Matai.

59 min: 40/20 - Monaghan picks up a 40/20 for Manly. Manly waste the attacking chance by knocking on on tackle two.

60 min: NEWS - Orford back on the field.

64 min: Bulldogs starting to play their normal game, trying to force the error.

65 min: VIDEO REF - For a Bulldogs try...

65 min: NO TRY - Bulldogs
Ryan ruled to have knocked on over the goal line. Odd decision given the Dunley try earlier tonight.

68 min: PENALTY GOAL Manly Sea Eagles
Patten loses the ball and it is recovered by an offside player. Orford slots the two from 25 out, right in front.
Sea Eagles 20-18

70 min: CROWD - 20,163

72 min: PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
The Bulldogs catch the Sea Eagles offside. El Masri nails the penalty goal.
20 all.

74 min: Bulldogs lose the ball 40 out from their own line.

76 min: Manly look to score a try instead of the field goal, the ball goes dead.

78 min: FIELD GOAL Manly Sea Eagles
Orford lands a field goal.
Sea Eagles 21-20
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Matt Orford (Sea Eagles)
2 - Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles)
1 - Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs)
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