Manly lead the NRL after gritty win over Roosters

Manly Sea Eagles have continued their impressive start to 2007 by posting their third win over the Sydney Roosters this afternoon, running out 30-8 victors in an 80-minuite struggle.

The first half of football was a grinding effort from both clubs with Manly finally opening the scoring in the 24th minute through flashy fullback Brett Stewart, who combined well with stand-in halfback Michael Monaghan.

The game developed into more of a contest towards the end of the half with the Roosters scoring their first try thanks to a Manly mistake with Mitch Aubusson cleaning up and dashing away 30 metres out.

With the scores locked at 6-all at the break, both sides attempted to gain control of the match early in the second half, but it was the Roosters who secured the lead thanks to a penalty goal from Craig Fitzgibbon. But they were the last points scored by the Tri-Colours for the rest of the afternoon, with Manly putting on four unanswered tries to waltz home.

The visitors didn