The latest installment of an old-fashioned rivalry takes place this week as Wests Tigers make the trip over the Spit Bridge to take on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
And having played a number of thrilling encounters over the years, we’ve decided to look back on our five most memorable wins over the Silvertails, thanks to Share Care.
* * * * *
5. Round 17, 2005 — Wests Tigers 49 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24
Coming in to the match in 10th position, Wests Tigers knew they need to find something against the third placed Sea Eagles if they were to continue their push towards the Club’s first finals appearance. After a win the week before against the Dragons, the signs were there for Tim Sheens’ side, and it quickly clicked again for the home side as Scott Prince and Benji Marshall tore open the Sea Eagles’ defence. The game did hang in the balance at 18-12 midway through the second half, before a blistering attacking spell put the game to bed and saw Wests Tigers continue their winning run — a streak that would end at eight games and put them in to the top four. And the rest, as they say, is history.
4. Round 5, 2014 — Wests Tigers 34 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18
Torrential rain and a serious ankle injury to James Tedesco might have made for a tough day at the office for Wests Tigers, but for the 15,000-strong crowd who braved the conditions at Leichhardt Oval, it was a day to remember as Mick Potter’s side raced to a commanding 20-0 lead over the Silvertails. Aaron Woods crossed for his first try at his local ground, while David Nofoaluma grabbed a double in the emphatic victory.
3. Round 21, 2009 — Wests Tigers 19 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18
A thrilling finish in the end, but perhaps not for the reasons it should have been. After three tries in nine minutes gave Wests Tigers an 18-0 lead at half-time, Robbie Farah’s field goal put the home side in front 19-6 late on in the second half and seemingly guaranteed a victory. However, a double to Anthony Watmough saw the Sea Eagles come roaring back and, had it not been for the superb late effort by Todd Payten to charge down Matt Orford’s field goal, the game would have been heading to Golden Point. Instead, it was Sheens’ men who went home victorious with a 19-18 win.
Top 5 at Five is brought to you by Share Care - click here to learn more about their services!
2. Round 21, 2011 — Wests Tigers 16 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12
Played on the Central Coast, tries to Brett Stewart and Matt Ballin had the Sea Eagles in firm control of the match with a 12-0 lead at half-time. However, a dynamic attacking spell in the second half that saw Robert Lui, Blake Ayshford and Chris Lawrence all cross for tries in the space of 10 minutes saw Wests Tigers come roaring back to lead 16-12. The Sea Eagles had a chance to steal the win late in the contest when Steve Matai went close, but Wests Tigers’ gritty defence held firm and ensured a four-point win in the end.
1. Round 1, 2010 — Wests Tigers 26 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 22
A season-opener to remember saw Wests Tigers face off against the Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium, and go 4-0 up in as many minutes when Lote Tuqiri scored with his first touch back in rugby league. Beau Ryan looked to double the lead soon after when he crossed, but was denied due to a forward pass — giving the visitors the ascendency to go on the attack and soon level the match. Playing at five-eighth, Jamie Lyon was instrumental in the Sea Eagles’ first half with two further try-assists and a penalty goal giving Manly an unlikely 20-4 half-time lead — particularly after Ryan bombed another try over the line. But as they’d done time and time before, the comeback began for Wests Tigers with Tim Moltzen at the centre of it. The fullback first set up Ayshford in the 58th minute, before racing through the Sea Eagles’ defence in the following set to put Liam Fulton over — cutting the lead to 20-14. Lyon added another penalty goal to push the lead back out to eight points, but after Marshall and Fulton combined to put Lawrence over in the 71st minute, the game was there to be had for Wests Tigers, with Tuqiri and Farah breaking Manly hearts by putting Gareth Ellis over the line for his first try in the NRL. Tensions were high after the stirring comeback, and with George Rose sent to the sin-bin for hitting Daniel Fitzhenry in the head, it was a sweet win for Wests Tigers — coming from 16 points down at the break to walk away with a 26-22 win over their bitter rivals.
Be there at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, July 23 when we take on the Parramatta Eels!