Lyon double propels Manly to victory

The Manly Sea Eagles have claimed a 32-24 victory over the Parramatta Eels in a pulsating match at Parramatta Stadium this afternoon.

Manly got off to a very fast start scoring their first try through Michael Robertson in the third minute after a neat chip kick to the corner. Parramatta went on attack for several minutes, but after Ben Smith was unable to control a grubber kick the Eagles went down to the other end of the field where Brent Stewart scored in the corner. Orford was unable to convert either of the first two tries, so Manly led 8-0 after 14 minutes.

The end of the Sea Eagles dominance in the first half came in the 18th minute after Eric Grothe ran right over Michael Robertson and scored in the corner. Ten minutes later Ben Smith atoned for his earlier error, making a great catch on a chip kick and scoring next to the posts for Parramatta to take the lead.

Following a Manly error Jarryd Hayne scored under the posts despite hints of obstruction in the lead up to the try, and the Eels held an 18-8 lead at half time.

Manly were quick out of the blocks in the second half as well, with Steve Menzies scoring after Manly kept the ball alive. Six minutes later and the Eagles had the lead after a contentious Brent Kite try.

Almost instantly the Eels struck back, with Krisnan Inu scoring and converting in the corner.

Of course, in a match like this there was always a big twist to end the game, and the twist at the end of this game was very poetic.

With 20 minutes to go Manly got numbers to the left and Jamie Lyon scored in the corner, and with the conversion Manly went back in front. Lyon sealed the match with his second try with nine minutes to go, and Manly held out several spirited attacking raids from the Eels in the final few minutes to claim a great victory.

Match Details Round 20 - Full Time :: July 29th, 2007 03:00 PM Venue: Parramatta Stadium Referee: Tony Archer

Parramatta Eels (24) Tries: Eric Grothe, Ben Smith, Jarryd Hayne, Krisnan Inu Goals: Krisnan Inu (4/4)

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (32) Tries: Michael Robertson, Brett Stewart, Steve Menzies, Brent Kite, Jamie Lyon (2) Goals: Matt Orford (4/6)

Half Time: Parramatta 18-8

LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Brett Stewart 2 Points: Matt Orford 1 Point: Michael Monaghan

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary: A nice day at Parra Stadium, and a big crowd in.

1 min: The Eagles get us started!

2 min: Manly start out on attack, and receive a penalty.

3 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Orford puts in a perfect chip kick to Robertson who scores in the corner after Grothe came in on defence. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford unsuccessful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 4-0

7 min: Monaghan kicks out on the full attempting a 40/20, after Parramatta were on attack.

10 min: Riddell does his best four foot lesbian turtle impression and crawls to the line only to be held up.

10 min: VIDEO REF - For a Parramatta try...

10 min: NO TRY - Ben Smith can't control the ball chasing a near perfect grubber. Steve Matai almist taken from the field due to a neck injury he picked up earlier, but is still being given a run.

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

14 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Orford throws a huge pass to Robertson, who draws Grothe and passes back inside to Stewart who somehow squeezes across right in the corner. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford unsuccessful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 8-0

18 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Grothe runs right over Robertson, fends off Orford and streaks down the sideline to score in the right corner. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 8-6

24 min: Parramatta go on attack after a Manly error.

26 min: Orford makes an incredible escape from the in goal, only to be dragged back into the in goal to give Parra a drop out.

27 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Tim Smith kicks across to Ben Smith who takes a great catch to score next to the posts. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful. Parramatta Eels 12-8

30 min: Manly make an error coming out of their own end. Eels on attack from 15 out.

32 min: VIDEO REF - For a Parramatta try...

32 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Hayne gets the ball 10 out, runs laterally across field and finds a gap to score under the posts. Slight, slight hint of an obstruction. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful. Parramatta Eels 18-8

34 min: Parramatta go on attack again off a penalty.

36 min: ON REPORT - Glenn Hall put on report after PJ Marsh was hurt in a tackle. Somewhat of an over reaction.

37 min: Moi Moi knocks on very close to the line and Parramatta are penalised for a high tackle.

HALFTIME, and the Eels lead 18-8 after Manly started brilliantly with two early tries. The Eels struck back midway through the half and have looked totally dominant since then.

40 min: Back underway at Parra Stadium!

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

44 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Manly strike first after half time, keeping the ball alive and Menzies finally finds a gap. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford successful. Parramatta Eels 18-14

48 min: Hindmarsh penalised for a high tackle on Monaghan.

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

50 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Kite gets the ball right on the line, he is forced back but fights his way onto the line. The video ref spins back a refs call and Archer points to the spot, right under the posts. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 20-18

54 min: Parramatta get a drop out after a Hayne grubber.

55 min: VIDEO REF - For an Eels try...

55 min: TRY Parramatta Eels Parramatta create an overlap and Inu dots down in the left corner. Conversion attempt by Krisnan Inu successful. Parramatta Eels 24-20

57 min: Stewart makes a break but is pulled down by Hayne.

58 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles A very popular try, the Eagles move the ball left quickly to Lyon who scores. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 26-24

61 min: Hayne trapped in the in goal.

61 min: The first play of the drop out is a forward pass from Manly.

62 min: Parramatta go on attack off a penalty.

64 min: Tahu throws a forward pass to Inu.

68 min: End to end football at the moment.

70 min: Hindmarsh mucks up the play the ball, putting Manly on attack.

71 min: Hindmarsh knocks on fielding a kick.

72 min: VIDEO REF - For a possible Manly try...

71 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles The ball is moved left where Manly have numbers and Lyon crosses for his very popular second. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 32-24

75 min: PJ Marsh is stopped inches short of the line, Parramatta supposedly knock on after a grubber hits the post.

77 min: Manly defending brilliantly and they shut down another Eels attacking raid.

FULLTIME: Manly come back in the second half to defeat the Eels 32-24.