Manly 42 Tigers 18
A BRACE of tries to Manly centre Steve Matai has helped the Sea Eagles to a convincing win over the Wests Tigers in their NRL trial match at Brookvale Oval tonight.
With halves Michael Monaghan and Matt Orford combining well behind a dominant pack, the win gave the Sea Eagles a timely confidence boost ahead of their opening NRL encounter against Canberra at the same ground in a fortnight's time.
The absence of superstar Benji Marshall, who will make his long-awaited return from shoulder surgery for the NRL season opener against St George Illawarra, didn't stop the Tigers from playing their trademark expansive style.
MANLY 42 (S Matai 2, A Watmough, K Leuluai, J King, P Stephenson, C Hicks, J Cherry tries; M Orford 2, L Williamson 3 goals)
WESTS TIGERS 18 (M Crockett, S Prince, R Farrah tries; B Hodgson 3 goals) at Brookvale Oval.
Crowd: 8,700. Referee: B Cummins J Robinson.
A BRACE of tries to Manly centre Steve Matai has helped the Sea Eagles to a convincing win over the Wests Tigers in their NRL trial match at Brookvale Oval tonight.
With halves Michael Monaghan and Matt Orford combining well behind a dominant pack, the win gave the Sea Eagles a timely confidence boost ahead of their opening NRL encounter against Canberra at the same ground in a fortnight's time.
The absence of superstar Benji Marshall, who will make his long-awaited return from shoulder surgery for the NRL season opener against St George Illawarra, didn't stop the Tigers from playing their trademark expansive style.
MANLY 42 (S Matai 2, A Watmough, K Leuluai, J King, P Stephenson, C Hicks, J Cherry tries; M Orford 2, L Williamson 3 goals)
WESTS TIGERS 18 (M Crockett, S Prince, R Farrah tries; B Hodgson 3 goals) at Brookvale Oval.
Crowd: 8,700. Referee: B Cummins J Robinson.
