Refer:
http://sportal.com.au/League-news-display/sea-eagles-destroy-sharks-52283
Sea Eagles destroy Sharks
12/07/2008 9:29:59 PM
Steve Orme
Sportal
The Sea Eagles remain in top spot on the NRL ladder after a 34-6 demolition of the Sharks at Toyota Stadium on Saturday night.
Manly's sixth-straight win was without doubt their finest of the season against a Sharks side that entered the top-of-the-table clash in red-hot form.
A four-try blitz in the opening 22 minutes of play set up the victory and when Glenn Stewart crossed for his second four-pointer of the night midway through the second half, all hope of a dramatic comeback was erased.
The Sharks simply never recovered from Manly's near perfect opening half and although they kept coming were well below their best throughout, particularly in attack.
The onslaught began in just the fourth minute when Matt Ballin sped out of dummy half and through some lack-lustre defence to cross adjacent to the posts.
Orford added the extras to silence the home crowd and grab an early 6-0 advantage.
Manly's next try came from a Sharks howler as youngster Misi Taulapapa tried to force the action deep in his own half only to gift Steve Matai who found a charging Josh Perry.
Perry burst through four defenders for the converted try to double the Sea Eagles lead in the 12th minute.
A beautifully worked set-play led to the Eagles' third try.
It all started with an old-fashioned-run-around play before Jamie Lyon found a straight running Steve Bell who drew the defence before feeding Brett Stewart to cross untouched in the corner.
Not to be outdone by his little brother, Glenn Stewart was the next to score for the rampant visitors.
Orford's conversion put Manly 22-0 ahead with 14 minutes still to play in the opening stanza.
The Sea Eagles were equally impressive at the defensive end, repeatedly denying the desperate hosts before Paul Gallen finally crossed in the final minute of the half to give the Sharks' faithful a glimmer of hope.
Luke Covell's sideline conversion cut the deficit to 22-6 at the break.
The Sharks enjoyed the bulk of possession after the re-start but a string of basic errors did little to help their cause.
And when Matai delivered a deft kick for Michael Robertson to score the Eagles' first try of the half in the 54th minute, the visitors were all but assured the two-competition points.
Glenn Stewart's second four-pointer erased any doubt and when Jamie Lyon converted from out wide the lead was 34-6 with a quarter of the match remaining.
Manly 34:
Tries: G. Stewart 2, Ballin, Perry, B.Stewart, Robertson,
Goals: Orford 3, Lyon 2
Sharks 6:
Tries: Gallen
Goals: Covell
Sportal Player of the Year:
3 - Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2 - Josh Perry (Sea Eagles)
1 - Jamie Lyon (Sea Eagles)
http://sportal.com.au/League-news-display/sea-eagles-destroy-sharks-52283
Sea Eagles destroy Sharks
12/07/2008 9:29:59 PM
Steve Orme
Sportal
The Sea Eagles remain in top spot on the NRL ladder after a 34-6 demolition of the Sharks at Toyota Stadium on Saturday night.
Manly's sixth-straight win was without doubt their finest of the season against a Sharks side that entered the top-of-the-table clash in red-hot form.
A four-try blitz in the opening 22 minutes of play set up the victory and when Glenn Stewart crossed for his second four-pointer of the night midway through the second half, all hope of a dramatic comeback was erased.
The Sharks simply never recovered from Manly's near perfect opening half and although they kept coming were well below their best throughout, particularly in attack.
The onslaught began in just the fourth minute when Matt Ballin sped out of dummy half and through some lack-lustre defence to cross adjacent to the posts.
Orford added the extras to silence the home crowd and grab an early 6-0 advantage.
Manly's next try came from a Sharks howler as youngster Misi Taulapapa tried to force the action deep in his own half only to gift Steve Matai who found a charging Josh Perry.
Perry burst through four defenders for the converted try to double the Sea Eagles lead in the 12th minute.
A beautifully worked set-play led to the Eagles' third try.
It all started with an old-fashioned-run-around play before Jamie Lyon found a straight running Steve Bell who drew the defence before feeding Brett Stewart to cross untouched in the corner.
Not to be outdone by his little brother, Glenn Stewart was the next to score for the rampant visitors.
Orford's conversion put Manly 22-0 ahead with 14 minutes still to play in the opening stanza.
The Sea Eagles were equally impressive at the defensive end, repeatedly denying the desperate hosts before Paul Gallen finally crossed in the final minute of the half to give the Sharks' faithful a glimmer of hope.
Luke Covell's sideline conversion cut the deficit to 22-6 at the break.
The Sharks enjoyed the bulk of possession after the re-start but a string of basic errors did little to help their cause.
And when Matai delivered a deft kick for Michael Robertson to score the Eagles' first try of the half in the 54th minute, the visitors were all but assured the two-competition points.
Glenn Stewart's second four-pointer erased any doubt and when Jamie Lyon converted from out wide the lead was 34-6 with a quarter of the match remaining.
Manly 34:
Tries: G. Stewart 2, Ballin, Perry, B.Stewart, Robertson,
Goals: Orford 3, Lyon 2
Sharks 6:
Tries: Gallen
Goals: Covell
Sportal Player of the Year:
3 - Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2 - Josh Perry (Sea Eagles)
1 - Jamie Lyon (Sea Eagles)