Penrith punish rusty Roosters
12 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
The Manly Sea Eagles have annihilated the Sydney Roosters by a record 56-0 at Brookvale Oval tonight.
In crossing for 10 unanswered tries, Manly broke a 41-year-old record win, surpassing a 53 point margin when Manly kept Easts scoreless in 1966 at the old Sydney Sports Ground.
Tonight's whitewash began with Manly centre Steven Bell diving over in the corner for the first of his two tries after just two minutes of play.
Fullback Brett Stewart was next to score and after 10 minutes, the Sea Eagles were 10-0 in front.
The Roosters were presented with their own opportunities, but were simply unable to convert these into points. Poor attacking options, numerous missed tackles and lack of discipline costing the visitors any chance of getting into the match.
Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles continued to dominate the half with a try to halfback Matt Orford, the home side holding a handy 16-0 lead at the break.
Manly went futher ahead in the 45th minute through Steve Matai who brushed aside some ordinary defence after running onto a cut-out pass from Orford.
The flood gates opened in the final quarter with Orford and winger Michael Robertson both picking up hat tricks.
The victory breaks a two match run of losses for the Sea Eagles and firms up their second position on the NRL ladder. Next Friday, Manly host Wests Tigers at Brookvale.
Meanwhile the Roosters' season continues to go from bad to worse, the Eastern Suburbs club clinging onto second last place with a minus 197 points differential, the worst in the League. Next Saturday the Roosters will take on the Sharks at Aussie Stadium.
Match Details Round 17 - Full Time :: July 7th, 2007 07:30 PM Venue: Brookvale Oval Crowd: 9,932 Referee: Gavin Badger Half time: Sea Eagles 16-0
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 56 Tries: Steven Bell (2), Brett Stewart, Matt Orford (3), Steve Matai, Michael Robertson (3) Goals: Matt Orford (8/10) Sydney Roosters 0
LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match 3 Points: Matt Orford (Sea Eagles) 2 Points: Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles) 1 Point: Michael Robertson (Sea Eagles)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Roosters have named Braith Anasta who is coming back from a broken hand. But they will be without Mitchell Pearce in the halves. Manly have Jamie Lyon back from a hamstring injury. Good night for football at Brookvale. Sea Eagles have lost a couple on the trot but should go in as favourites.
Roosters have first use of the ball. KICK OFF!
2 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Centre Steven Bell opens the scoring for the home side, getting around his man and diving over out wide. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford unsuccessful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 4-0
10 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Fullback Brett Stewart scores in the corner following a simple backline movement. Manly getting repeat sets and the majority of field position courtesy of Roosters being penalised. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 10-0
20 min: Roosters have managed to get a little more possession and stem the flow. But Manly working out from their half get another penalty to pressure the Roosters again.
28 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Orford slides through gap to score 12m wide of the posts. Follows a period of possession going the Roosters' way but they were unable to crack the Manly line. Manly responded with a break to Brett Stewart and then got a another penalty to set up the try. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 16-0
32 min: NO TRY Manly denied when the referee calls a forward pass from Steve Menzies to winger Chris Hicks out wide.
Half time Sea Eagles 16-0 A tough 40 minutes for the Roosters who seem to have very little to offer in attack and are missing too many tackles. Manly on the other hand are making plenty of inroads and are converting their opportunities into points.
Second half underway...
45 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Steve Matai takes an easy Orford pass on the chest and runs 12m past some terrible defence to score 15m in from touch. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 22-0
49 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Bell gets a double. Brett Stewart and Orford carving the Roosters up in the lead up. Wide-ish conversion attempt by Matt Orford successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 28-0
50 min: Roosters restart (Anasta) and kick out on the full!
52 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Orford gets his second try as the Manly players are lining up in support. This could be anything. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford 10m wide of the posts is successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 34-0
59 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Winger Michael Robertson in his 100th first grade game scores in the corner. A 60m movement starting with a break frrom Michael Monaghan who then kicked ahead, Robertson got a perfect bounce. Survives some video scrutiny over the put-down. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford is a ripper. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 40-0
63 min: NO TRY Manly denied. Monaghan races through from close range but Stewart is unable to get out of the way of a defender, and obstruction is ruled.
70 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Robertson gets a double after Orford and Stewart combine from close range. Absolutely woeful defence. Roberston is virtually untouched and improves his position to score behind the posts. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford successful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 46-0
72 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Robertson gets a hat trick. Tremendous length of the field team movement beginning with a bust from forward Adam Cuthertson. Plenty of players backing up in support to get Roberston home in the corner. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford unsuccessful. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 50-0
80 min: TRY Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Orford gets a hat trick, running 50m down the sideline after an Anasta kick goes wrong. Conversion attempt by Matt Orford from the sideline is successful and rubs salt into the Chook's wounds. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 56-0
Full time Sea Eagles have smashed the Roosters by 56-0, the biggest ever win for Manly over Easts. Just terrible stuff from Roosters but full credit from the Sea Eagles who were on fire.