The Manly Sea Eagles have broken a seven-game losing streak against the lowly Bulldogs, winning 32-20 in an entertaining match full of points at ANZ Stadium.
The Bulldogs were by far the better for the opening half an hour however only had the one try to show for it, with Matt Doorey scoring for the second time in his career in the 7th minute courtesy of a brilliant run by Jake Averillo, who was looking to solidify his claim to a starting spine position.
Canterbury were able to extend their lead to 10 through two penalty goals in the 11th and 28th minute respectively.
Manly finally awoke from their slumber in the 31st minute, where Cherry-Evans chinked across field to put Taniela Paseka through a gaping whole and over the line. The play was the first of three try assists for the Queensland #7.
Manly survived back-to-back-to-back set restarts for the Bulldogs in attacking territory to advance upfield and score through Curtis Sironen after some ad-lib work from Albert Hopoate. He got an offload into DCE who grubbered through and was taken out, however it didn't matter as Sironen was chasing and squared things up for the Manly boys.
The Sea Eagles made metres with ease in the next set and sensationally lead at half time after Brad Parker was on the end of a Cade Cust pass through another defensive hole.
Manly's start to the first half was the polar opposite to their start to the first. Within five minutes they established a double figure lead when Cherry-Evans again assisted a try, with Jack Gosiewski going through the line way too easily.
The Dogs clawed one back five minutes after that, when Lachlan Lewis ran onto a pinpoint Jake Averillo kick and the margin was within a converted try again.
It was extremely short lived however. Morgan Harper haunted the club that released him earlier in the year when he beat three Bulldogs defenders and ran 40 metres on the way to a superb individual try.
Any chance of a comeback was short lived however when Marty Taupau broke rule one of the front rowers club and kicked for himself. It was an average kick, but by some miracle it came off as Lachlan Lewis failed to dive on the ball and Taupau reaped the rewards.
Okunbor scored a try late, but it was mere consolation as Manly fans celebrated for the first time in seven weeks.
The Bulldogs are back at ANZ next week with an "away" game against Souths, while Manly return to Lottoland to play host to the Gold Coast Titans.