9 Mar 2013

Manly storm home to beat Brisbane

8:59 am on 9 March 2013

Manly scored three tries in a seven-minute blitz early in the second half to storm home 22-14 over Brisbane in an entertaining National Rugby League clash at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Brisbane looked on course to repeat their victory over the Sea Eagles 25 years ago when they entered the Premiership but, after leading 14-6 - the same half-time scoreline as 1988 - they were swamped by a Sea Eagles attack led magnificently by halfback Daley Cherry-Evans.

It was Cherry-Evans's solo try, busting through four Brisbane defenders in the 48th minute, which not only cut the margin to 14-12 but provided the visitors with the momentum to grab the lead five minutes later when New Zealand centre Steve Matai crossed for his second try.

Jamie Lyon's conversion put Manly in front 16-14 which they extended to 22-14 after Brisbane centre Jack Reed spilled the ball in a Cherry-Evans tackle 15 metres out from his own tryline, prop Brent Kite grabbing the loose ball to shovel it onto winger David Williams for the easiest of tries.