Premiers Manly re-emerged as Optus Cup favourites after completing a 48-14 demolition of the Western Suburbs Magpies at Brookvale Oval today. The Sea Eagles took control in the early stages and eventually ran in nine tries to three, with Terry Hill scoring three and Steven Menzies two.
Wests managed to stay with Manly for the first ten minutes of the match, but when the Sea Eagles strung consecutives sets of six together they always looked likely to score. Terry Hill crossed for Manly's first try, and from then on it all went downhill for the Magpies. Shannon Nevin, Craig Innes and Hill scored tries in quick succession, extending the Manly lead to 22-0 and effectively ending any chance Western Suburbs had of winning the match. Further first half tries to Menzies and Jim Sedaris saw Manly skip out to a 34-0 at half-time.
Western Suburbs came out more disciplined in the second half and held Manly to three tries in the period while scoring three of their own. The first came immediately after half time to Kevin McGuinness, before Manly's stand-in for Daniel Gartner, Anthony Collella, scored for Manly. Ken McGuinness scored for Western Suburbs, but Hill and Menzies crossed for Manly to extend the lead to 48-10. Kevin McGuinness scored a consolation try late in the game for the Magpies.
Manly were led by the aging but brilliant Cliff Lyons, who produced a magician-like performance in setting up many of Manly's tries. He appeared dangerous every time he touched the ball, and made numerous breaks himself. Steven Menzies and Nik Kosef also broke the Western Suburbs line frequently throughout the match. Geoff Toovey continued his excellent form this season, and he set up Menzies second try with a trademark run from dummy half.
Des Hasler never gave up in a side that was clearly outclassed in all aspects of the game. The McGuinness brothers produced flashes of brilliance in the second half, but it was a case of too little, too late for the Magpies. Softening the blow for Western Suburbs was the fact that the Gold Coast and Illawarra, who were one point ahead of Wests entering Round 19, also lost. The Magpies remain one point outside the ARL's top seven.
This report ©1997 by Nick Leonard
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