Manly holds on for gritty win

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Sydney Roosters v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Manly have hung on to secure a gutsy one-point victory over the defending premiers, downing the Roosters 9-8 courtesy of a field goal from Daly Cherry Evans in the final four minutes.

A tight and at time scrappy first half saw both sides enter the sheds lock at 6 apiece, with both sides attack looking somewhat clunky at times.

The scoring began in just the second minute when Kyle Flanagan kicked a penalty goal for the Roosters to give them a 2-0 lead.

In the 8th minute Reuben Garrick levelled the scores when he too kicked a penalty goal.

Just 5 minutes later, Manly produced the first try of the match when Daly Cherry-Evans ran to the left side and threw a sweet inside ball to Tom Trbojevic who barged over between two defenders to score a strong try. Garrick failed to convert from out wide on the left side.

On the half hour mark, the Roosters hit back when Luke Keary drifted to the left before sending a lofted cut-out pass to Daniel Tupou, who ran in for an easy try on the left side. Flanagan was unable to convert the try.

The Roosters came out firing in the second half and after just a minute, Keary and James Tedesco linked to put Angus Crichton into space, but he was brought down by Tom Trbojevic.
Five minutes later, Keary with a nice play received an inside ball and looked set to score for all money. But just as he was casually putting the ball down for the try, Tom Trbojevic knocked the ball loose.

Tom Trbojevic was at it again in the 54th minute, when he brought down a flying Brett Morris and put him into touch, just 5 metres shy of the tryline in a stunning tackle.

The 61st minute saw another great piece of footy from both sides when Tedesco cleaned up a stray pass, puts in a chip and regathered, chipped again and Garrick cleaned up, then he evaded two defenders before getting back into the field of play.

With 15 minutes remaining in the game Garrick kicked a penalty goal to give Manly a 2 point lead.

Just 2 minutes later the Roosters received a penalty and Flanagan nailed a penalty goal to level the scores yet again.

With 6 minutes remaining in the game, Luke Keary took a shot at a field goal, but the ball struck the upright and bounced back into the field of play.

With just 4 minutes remaining, Daly Cherry-Evans struck a field goal attempt sweetly and put it between the sticks to give Manly the lead and the victory.