Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 34-30 loss to Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval tonight in round two of the Holden Cup competition.

In a match that saw the scoreboard constantly changing, the Sea Eagles turned in a much improved performance following the heavy loss to the Bulldogs in the opening round at Brookvale Oval.

The Sea Eagles came close to scoring in the ninth minute when five-eighth Nicholas Hynes took the line on from 10 metres out only to be held up over the line.

Wests Tigers opened the scoring through full-back Luke Sharpe. The try was converted by five-eighth Veiru Mapesone for a 6-0 lead.

The home then went to a 10-0 lead when prop and co-captain Junior Tatola scored under the posts. Mapesone converted for a 12-0 lead after 21 minutes.

The Sea Eagles hit back in the 29th minute when Hynes delivered a perfect pass to put second-rower Billy Bainbridge into a gap to score untouched. Half-back Hutana Coffin nailed the conversion to trail 12-6.

Two minutes later, the Sea Eagles crossed again through centre Brad Parker in the left corner. Coffin converted for a 12-all scoreline after 33 minutes.

Hynes then gave the Sea Eagles a 16-12 lead before Coffin converted for an 18-12 lead at half-time.

2nd Half

Wests Tigers hit back quickly through a try to winger Obed Karwhin. Mapesone converted for an 18-all scoreline.

Karwhin grabbed his second try when he found some open space on the left flank to score for a 22-18 lead. Mapesone converted for a 24-18 lead after 57 minutes.

The Sea Eagles got back to 24-22 through a try to Lucas Price. Coffin converted for a 24-all scoreline after 62 minutes.

Wests Tigers regained the lead through a try to winger Toa Mata’afa for a 28-24 lead after 67 minutes. Three minutes later, Bayley Sironen crashed through two defenders to score next to the posts. Mapesone converted for a 34-24 lead after 71 minutes.

The Sea Eagles scored a try inside the final minute when Price scooped on a loose ball to cross. Coffin converted for the 34-30 scoreline.

Manly Sea Eagles team

1 Jayden El-Jalkh 2 Mitch Thomas 3 Brad Parker 5 Harry O’Toole 6 Nicholas Hynes 7 Hutana Coffin 9 Heath Garay 10 Darcy Cox (C) 11 Billy Bainbridge 12 Jordan Sims 13 Moses Noovao-McGreal; Interchange 14 Jon Bernard Kairouz 15 Joshua Martin 16 Lucas Price 17 Elia Faatui 21 Harlan Collins



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