Manly hold on to beat rushing Raiders

The Manly Sea Eagles have entered the top eight for the first time in the 2009 season with a 20-14 win over a fast finishing Canberra Raiders at Brookvale Oval.

Early on in the game Manly started brilliantly with debutant Kieran Foran scoring a try with his first touch of the ball to give the premiers a flying start. The horrible start for the Raiders continued minutes later when prop George Rose easily fended off Bronson Harrison to extend the lead of the Sea Eagles.

The Raiders continued to have sparks of danger in their attack but poor ball handling became their biggest enemy at times. Right after the twenty minute mark passed the Sea Eagles were awarded a strange penalty which gave them the opportunity to go twelve ahead of the visitors.

The Raiders defence held off waves of Manly attacking, but the attacking of the Raiders with poor fifth tackle options made sure the score remained low. The visitors best chance of the half saw Bronson Harrison denied a try by the video referee. A further penalty goal on halftime gave Manly a 14-0 lead.

Canberra seemed to have started the second half better but Manly scored the first try through future Rooster Jarred Waerea-Hargreaves catching an awful Raiders knock on right in front of the line.

Manly seemed to half it sealed up but Canberra weren't dead. The Raiders came to life briefly late in the game with quick tries to Thurling, Carney and Graham. The margin was quickly reduced to just four.

In the end the Raiders were unable to get the winner and Manly held on to win a tight match.

Match Details Manly Sea Eagles 20 def Canberra Raiders 14 Round 15 - Sunday :: June 21st, 2009 3:00pm Venue: Brookvale Oval Referees: Jared Maxwell & Bernard Sutton Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis & Steve Chiddy Video Referee: Paul Simpkins Halftime; Manly 20 Raiders 0 Crowd: 8,182

Manly Sea Eagles 20 Tries: Kieran Foran, George Rose, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Goals: Matt Orford (4/5)

Canberra Raiders 14 Tries: Trevor Thurling, Justin Carney, Phil Graham Goals: Terry Campese (1/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Matt Orford (Sea Eagles) 2 Points: Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles) 1 Point: Justin Carney (Raiders)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Talk about the game as it happens - Sea Eagles v Raiders forum discussion - click here!

SEA EAGLES: 1. Michael Robertson 2. Tony Williams 3. Ben Farrar 4. Steve Matai 5. Andrew Suniula 19. Kieran Foran 7. Matt Orford (c) 8. Jason King 9. Matt Ballin 10. Josh Perry 12. Glenn Hall 13. Shane Rodney 6. Chris Bailey Interchange: 14. Heath L