Manly fullback Tom Trbojevcic scorched to two tries either side of halftime to propel his side to a 36-16 win over the Vodafone Junior Warriors in today’s 20th-round NYC match at Mount Smart Stadium.
With three tries in each half the Sea Eagles coasted to an imposing 34-0 lead after 52 minutes before the home side made an impression on the scoreboard.
In the last 28 minutes the Vodafone Warriors not only prevented Manly adding to its try tally but also scored three tries of their own to reduce the margin of defeat.
With the win Manly moved level with the fifth-placed Vodafone Junior Warriors on 23 points but the home side holds onto fifth with a superior for and against margin.
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the Sea Eagles were able to grab control with three quick-fire tries as they found joy turning the ball back inside. Three more tries in the first 12 minutes of the second half had Manly completely in charge.
Trbojevic had a feast supporting up the middle with provisional stats crediting him with an incredible 466 metres from 21 runs.
Tevaga shouldered a huge workload for the Vodafone Junior Warriors making 229 metres from 23 carries plus 35 tackles.
Match details | Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Vodafone Junior Warriors 16 (Ofahiki Ogden, Marata Niukore, Jazz Tevaga tries; Mikaere Beattie 2 conversions).
Manly Sea Eagles 36 (Tom Trbojevic 4, Nicho Hynes, Addison Demetriou tries; Hugh Pratt 5 conversions, penalty).
Halftime: 18-0 Sea Eagles.
Referees: Peter Gough and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Brad Abbey; Lewis Soosemea, Marata Niukore, Semisi Tyrell, Paul Ulberg; Mikaere Beattie, Erin Clark; Bunty Afoa (c), Casey Lafaele, Paul Tuli; Ofahiki Ogden, Koli Oneone; Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: Chris Sio, Tualima Tualima, Tyrone Nathan, Amoni Tufui.
