​Manly score much-needed win against Tigers at Brookvale

Manly have produced a much-needed 30-20 win over West Tigers in front of 8,093 supporters on a rain-soaked Brookvale Oval.

Coming into the match with only three wins all season, the Sea Eagles were desperate to kick-start their season, but faced a challenge without skipper Jamie Lyon.

Getting off to a perfect start, fullback Brett Stewart crossed after two minutes, sliding through two Tigers defenders to open the scoring for the home side.

Hitting back in the 13th minute, Tigers pivot Mitchell Moses proved the beneficiary of an intercept taken by Kevin Naiqama, before the five-eighth crossed out wide to level the scores at 6-all.

The Tigers appeared to be taking the ascendancy following a beautiful no-look pass from James Tedesco found Pat Richards (25th minute), who touched down to give the visitors the lead heading into the break.

Just when the Sea Eagles looked destined for another defeat, Kieran Foran stepped up just before the break; delivering a beautiful chip-bomb for Steve Matai (35^th minute), before racing through to score his own try following a lovely pass from Feleti Mateo just before the break.

As they did to start the game the Sea Eagles started the second half in fine form, with Daly Cherry-Evans justifying his hefty price tag to set up Brett Stewart for his second try of the night.

The Tigers refused to go away with winger Kevin Naiqama (48th minute) pulling off a marvelous try by diving over to reduce the deficit to 24-14.

With Manly struggling to deliver the killer blow, despite numerous opportunities, second-rower Tom Symonds stepped up to break into the clear, before sending interchange forward Ligi Sao over for the match-sealing try with ten minutes remaining.

Despite a late try to Mitchell Moses (72nd minute), the Tigers were unable to pull off the win, going down 30-20.

Overall, the Sea Eagles deserved their victory, playing with an attacking flair and willingness in defence to hold on for a much-needed win.

As always, fullback Brett Stewart produced a stellar performance, crossing for his fourth double of the season at Brookvale Oval, while Feleti Mateo delivered a strong game returning from injury as well as maintaining a 100% success rate with the boot.

For the Tigers, Mitchell Moses displayed touches of class, but as has been the problem all year for the joint venture, their inability to perform consistently after a dominant display last week over South Sydney will leave supporters and coach Jason Taylor disappointed.

Next week the Sea Eagles face the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on Friday night, while the Tigers return to their spiritual home of Leichardt Oval to battle it out against Western Sydney rivals Penrith.

Match Details

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 30 Wests Tigers 20
Venue: Brookvale Oval
Crowd: 8093
Halftime Score: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18 Wests Tigers 10

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (30)
Tries: Brett Stewart (2), Steve Matai, Kieran Foran, Ligi Sao
Conversions: Feleti Mateo (5/5)

WESTS TIGERS (20)
Tries: Mitchell Moses (2), Pat Richards, Kevin Naiqama
Conversions: Pat Richards (2/4)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Brett Stewart
2 points - Feleti Mateo
1 point - Mitchell Moses

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 15 Friday Night Football between the Manly Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval.

Manly have made a few positional changes with young tyro Jake Trbojevic starting in place of Willie Mason, while Feleti Mateo comes in for Blake Leary. Josh Starling makes his return on the bench in jersey no.22.

The Tigers will be 1-17, with Aaron Woods backing up from his starring role for NSW on Wednesday, while Robbie Farah misses out.

Keith Galloway will play his 200th NRL game for the Tigers. After debuting with the Sharks back in 2003, the Australian and New South Wales representative will pack down in the front row as the Tigers look to keep their September hopes alive.

Keith Galloway leads the Tigers onto Brookvale Oval for his 200th game.

Brett Stewart takes Manly onto the field to the applause of the Brookvale faithful.

Galloway takes the first run of the night.

Moses kicks on the 4th as Taufua takes the ball on his 10 metre line.

1: The Sea Eagles spread the ball to the right and earn a penalty.

2: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Brett Stewart. Kick to come.
Ominous signs early for the Tigers. Stewart slices through the Tigers to touch down.

3: That takes his tally to 9 tries for the season.

3: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Feleti Mateo successful.
From the sideline, Mateo converts.

5: Manly finish off a great set with a chip fielded by Mitchell Moses 10 metres out from the line.

6: Brooks puts in a clearing kick as Tom Trbojevic takes the ball up to the 30 metre line.

7: Manly have started strongly, but the Tigers get a penalty coming out of their own end.

7: Great shot from Peta Hiku on James Tedesco to shutdown the Tigers attack.

8: Changeover to Manly after the Tigers threw the ball around on the last tackle.

9: Foran bombs, but Tedesco is on the spot to clean up.

10: Kevin Naiqama finds some space inside Manly's half.

10: Jorge Taufua makes a great bust, linking up with his fullback before being cut down.

11: Cherry-Evans grubbers in-goal as the Sea Eagles force a line drop-out.

12: Intercept taken by Kevin Naiqama, but Cherry-Evans in able to cut the flying winger down.

13: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Mitchell Moses. Kick to come.
Finishing off a pass from Kyle Lovett from the break, Moses crosses out wide.

14: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
The Tigers have been overpowered for much of the game, but they've levelled the scores at 6-all.

15: From the restart, Aaron Woods draws a penalty.

16: The Tigers try a set play, but a forward pass sees the Sea Eagles come up with possession.

17: Pat Richards passes in his in-goal, but Luke Brooks can't escape the oncoming Manly defence.

19: Brett Stewart passes for Jorge Taufua, but the ball goes to ground. Scrum Wests Tigers.

20: Moses bombs, but Stewart has no troubles taking the high ball.

21: Big Willie Mason is on for his first football of the night.

23: Brett Stewart is cut down by Chris Lawrence in a try-saving tackle.

24: Manaia Cherington and Ava Seumaufagai on for Wests Tigers.

24: Brendan Santi takes a run close to Manly's line.

25: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Pat Richards. Kick to come.
After a fantastic tap-on, Richards puts the Tigers ahead.

27: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards unsuccessful.
From the touchline, the try-scorer is unable to add the extras.

28: Ligi Sao on for Manly.

29: The Tigers drive Brett Stewart back in-goal for a drop out. Huge defensive effort from three Tigers.

30: Matthew Lodge on for the visitors.

31: The Tigers are unable to get a repeat set after a ricochet from Tedesco results in a turnover.

31: Kevin Naiqama races back to prevent a 40/20 from DCE.

32: Tom Symonds loses the ball inside his half.

33: Willie Mason puts a big shot on Brendan Santi, who loses the ball in the play the ball.

35: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Steve Matai. Kick to come.
From a Kieran Foran bomb, the Manly centre touches down. Beautiful work from the Sea Eagles.

36: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Feleti Mateo successful.
From an identical spot as his fist shot, Mateo ensures history repeats. Manly take the lead.

37: Good run from Mason over the halfway line.

38: Moses comes up with the ball after the Sea Eagles put in a second kick.

39: Simona can't hold on, as the Tigers give up possession after an attacking raid.

39: David Nofoaluma down receiving attention with a leg injury.

39: Nofoaluma down, Halatau coming on. Lawrence will move into the centres as his replacement.

39: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Kieran Foran. Kick to come.
Mateo delivers a sensational ball for Kieran Foran who bursts through a big hole to score just before the break.

40: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Feleti Mateo successful.
The halftime siren sounds, as Manly take an 18-10 lead into the sheds.

40: Manly have shown their class to lead at the break, but will it be enough to hold off the unpredictable Tigers.

40: Tom Trbojevic is down on the first tackle of the half.

40: Chris Lawrence on report.

41: High tackle on Matai from Lodge.

41: Possible Medial Ligament damage for David Nofoaluma. He won't be back tonight.

42: Possible try to Cherry-Evans. Checking the grounding with the video referee.

42: The halfback appeared to lose the ball.

42: Horror moment for the $10 million dollar man. No Try.

42: Tigers get a penalty.

43: Seumanufagai cut down metres out from Manly's line.

43: Mateo cleans up for the Sea Eagles. Feleti has been terrific tonight.

44: Cherry-Evans looks to have made amends for his dropped ball. The #7 made a break, kicked ahead allowing Brett Stewart to touch down for his second.

44: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Brett Stewart. Kick to come.
The Snake has snuck under the Tigers to score another Brookvale special.

44: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Feleti Mateo successful.
From right in front, Mateo takes the Sea Eagles to a 24-10 lead.

46: Tigers get a penalty for a high shot on Tedesco.

48: Taupau loses possession, but earns a penalty.

48: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Kevin Naiqama. Kick to come.
10/10 pass from Moses for his winger to score out wide.

50: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards unsuccessful.
No luck for Richards. Tigers trail by 10.

51: A fortunate penalty gets the Tigers off the hook for a loose carry.

52: Jake Trbojevic pulls off a great catch before taking off from his own goal line.

54: Manly will get a scrum feed inside the Tigers half. Big chance for the Sea Eagles to take a big step towards a much-needed win.

55: A try goes begging as Taufua overruns a great sweep play from Stewart and Matai.

56: Josh Starling on for Manly.

57: Penalty to Manly inside their half. At the end of the set they'll be in a strong attacking position.

58: Dunamis Lui is pulled down short of the line.

59: A bizarre series of events results in Manly receiving a penalty after losing 40 metres from a series of ricochets.

60: Mateo taken just short of the line, but is unable to get the offload away.

61: Kyle Lovett comes up with the ball for the Tigers. Two tackles later they get a penalty.

62: Moses cross field bomb is taken by Peta Hiku.

63: Tedesco gets a touch to a rolling Manly kick. Sea Eagles scrum 20 metres out.

64: The Sea Eagles can't strike the killer blow. Another turnover close to the line.

64: Cherry-Evans bombs, but Tedesco is able to clean up for the Tigers.

65: Moses kicks long, but it looks increasingly likely that the Sea Eagles will get away with this match.

66: TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Scored by Ligi Sao. Kick to come.
Tom Symonds is put into space, who links up with his supporting forward.

67: Over for his second career try, Ligi Sao should wrap up the game for Manly.

67: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES
Conversion attempt by Feleti Mateo successful.
Mateo keeps his perfect record for the night intact - 5/5.

68: Cherry-Evans is down, clutching at a shoulder.

69: The halfback is up, but clearly below his best.

70: I've seen it all! - Martin Taupau chip kicks, but Kieran Foran is able to beat the Tigers out of the in-goal.

72: Moses chips and after some offloads, the 5/8 may have scored.

72: TRY WESTS TIGERS
Scored by Mitchell Moses. Kick to come.
The Tigers hit back. With eight to play, the Tigers are still a chance.

72: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WESTS TIGERS
Conversion attempt by Pat Richards successful.
It ain't over yet baby! - 30-20.

73: Tigers get a penalty. If they can find touch deep inside the Manly half, they'll be a show of going in again.

74: Seumanufagai is claimed by three Sea Eagles on the last tackle. That may be it for the Tigers. They needed to come up with points, but they'll keep fighting.

74: Penalty to the Tigers, Dunamis Lui on report. The Tigers are still in the fight.

75: Tim Simona has crossed in the corner, but it looks as though the Samoan centre has knocked on.

75: No Try. Knock on and the Sea Eagles will win.

77: Tedesco is claimed on halfway after a series of offloads.

77: Cherington aims a pass for Pat Richards which lands in the hands of the wide cameraman.

78: Steve Matai and Kevin Naiqama are both down.

78: Naiqama being escorted from the field.

79: A forward pass goes to ground for the Tigers. Manly will have the final say of the night.

80: The siren sounds and the Sea Eagles claim a much-needed win: 30-20.