Matabele
Journey Man
[b:f1fe93b0f4]Manly 26 vs St George 16.[/b:f1fe93b0f4]
The Manly Sea Eagles have clean swept their trial games after beating the St George Dragons in Kiama tonight.
For Sea Eagles fans the highlight was the impressive return to the maroon and white by the irrepressible Terry Hill. Hill scored three tries and turned back the clock ten years by bullocking his way towards and over the line on three occasions to provide the difference between the two sides. Hill is yet to announce whether he will play this season but surely after a dominant display he’ll be looking at putting pen to paper later this week.
Other highlights of the match came from an impressive defensive display from the forwards to hold their own against a credentialed Dragons pack. They provided plenty of go forward and also swarmed in defense to keep their opponents on the back foot for much of the night.
Scott Donald also put in an impressive display. Always a man to watch in attack, it also looked as though he’s done a lot of work on his defense in the off season. He was ably backed up by Hicks.
Manly opened the scoring but were soon set back by some pin-point accurate kicks which yielded two 40/20 opportunities for the Dragons. Both kicks came because of a slow retreat by John Hopoate, surely a warning signal for coach Des Hasler as he looks at which combination to pick for the opening round against the Warriors. Hopate did adjust his game but Stacey Jones and Nathan Fien would have been watching with interest. The score at half time was 10 all.
The second half belonged to Terry Hill. In a vintage display he stamped his name all over one Manly Centre position in a game that will give fans hope about the prospects of our outside backs. The Dragons only scored one second half try, a credit to Manly’s defense and fitness.
Manly had a late try controversially disallowed when it was ruled that a Dragons player had been interfered with (and no, Hopoate’s fingers were not involved).
Most selection speculation over the next two weeks will fall on the hooking position. Randall set up one try but his service from dummy half was pedestrian at times and he still has a tendency to take several steps with the ball in hand and telegraphing his passing intentions to the opposition defensive line.
In contrast, Dunley was sharp during his time on the field. He mixed up his passing and running and kept the opposition defense in two minds.
Other impressive games came from the newly re-signed Jason King, Daniel Heckenberg, Sam Harris and Chris Hicks. New recruits Kennedy and Kite both had quiet nights.
The only injury worry for the Sea Eagles was Michael Witt who limped off the field just before half time. Early reports from the dressing rooms suggest that it is just a minor strain and will not affect his selection chances for the first round.
Speaking of which, the trials are over and the first game a matter of weeks away. It’s been a promising start from the Sea Eagles with an improved defenSe complementing our already potent attacking ability. Our team should be brimming with confidence as they look to cross the Tasman Sea for their first serious encounter for 2005.
GO YOU MIGHTY SEA EAGLES!!!!!!
The Manly Sea Eagles have clean swept their trial games after beating the St George Dragons in Kiama tonight.
For Sea Eagles fans the highlight was the impressive return to the maroon and white by the irrepressible Terry Hill. Hill scored three tries and turned back the clock ten years by bullocking his way towards and over the line on three occasions to provide the difference between the two sides. Hill is yet to announce whether he will play this season but surely after a dominant display he’ll be looking at putting pen to paper later this week.
Other highlights of the match came from an impressive defensive display from the forwards to hold their own against a credentialed Dragons pack. They provided plenty of go forward and also swarmed in defense to keep their opponents on the back foot for much of the night.
Scott Donald also put in an impressive display. Always a man to watch in attack, it also looked as though he’s done a lot of work on his defense in the off season. He was ably backed up by Hicks.
Manly opened the scoring but were soon set back by some pin-point accurate kicks which yielded two 40/20 opportunities for the Dragons. Both kicks came because of a slow retreat by John Hopoate, surely a warning signal for coach Des Hasler as he looks at which combination to pick for the opening round against the Warriors. Hopate did adjust his game but Stacey Jones and Nathan Fien would have been watching with interest. The score at half time was 10 all.
The second half belonged to Terry Hill. In a vintage display he stamped his name all over one Manly Centre position in a game that will give fans hope about the prospects of our outside backs. The Dragons only scored one second half try, a credit to Manly’s defense and fitness.
Manly had a late try controversially disallowed when it was ruled that a Dragons player had been interfered with (and no, Hopoate’s fingers were not involved).
Most selection speculation over the next two weeks will fall on the hooking position. Randall set up one try but his service from dummy half was pedestrian at times and he still has a tendency to take several steps with the ball in hand and telegraphing his passing intentions to the opposition defensive line.
In contrast, Dunley was sharp during his time on the field. He mixed up his passing and running and kept the opposition defense in two minds.
Other impressive games came from the newly re-signed Jason King, Daniel Heckenberg, Sam Harris and Chris Hicks. New recruits Kennedy and Kite both had quiet nights.
The only injury worry for the Sea Eagles was Michael Witt who limped off the field just before half time. Early reports from the dressing rooms suggest that it is just a minor strain and will not affect his selection chances for the first round.
Speaking of which, the trials are over and the first game a matter of weeks away. It’s been a promising start from the Sea Eagles with an improved defenSe complementing our already potent attacking ability. Our team should be brimming with confidence as they look to cross the Tasman Sea for their first serious encounter for 2005.
GO YOU MIGHTY SEA EAGLES!!!!!!
