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Manly overcame a 20-0 half-time deficit to beat London Super League club Harlequins 34-26 in a trial match on Sunday.
Testing combinations ahead of the Sea Eagles’ World Club Challenge clash with Leeds on March 1, coach Des Hasler started with a largely inexperienced side in the first half, but a near full-strength team fought back after the break.
Harlequins were off to a 4-0 lead within the opening minutes after Jon Wells collected Danny Orr’s grubber kick and ran over for a try.
The home team doubled their advantage when former Manly player Chad Randall passed off to Quins captain Rob Purdham.
Randall was instrumental again when he made a solo run halfway down the field for a try of his own.
Manly found Quins defence impenetrable despite a number of attempts with five minutes remaining in the first term.
Orr’s long kick to Luke Dorn then resulted in yet another try for Harlequins, who went to the break with a 20-point buffer.
But with a far more experienced side on the pitch, Manly took control of the second half, thanks to two early tries to Michael Robertson with captain Matt Orford playing a role.
Quins still looked dangerous and pushed their advantage back out to 24-10 through David Howell, but a David Williams try, followed by a 30-metre effort from Brett Stewart, which Jamie Lyon converted had the visitors within four points.
They drew level when Chris Bailey smacked the ball back to a Glenn Stewart, who off-loaded to Lyon.
The former St Helens player ran over and then converted to put the Sea Eagles in front for the first time, 28-26.
A late try and conversion by Steve Matai sealed the result for the NRL premiers.
Hasler was pleased with his team’s first competitive game of the year.
“The first 40, we had about five young kids out there that would have learned from the experience and gained a lot from it,” Hasler said.
“The second 40, it was just about getting back into the groove and I thought they acquitted themselves pretty well for their first hit-out for 2009.”
Harlequins coach Brian McDermott was pleased to have had the chance to test his team against the Australians.
“It’s been a good challenge for the boys to play against such a good team as Manly,” McDermott said.
“It was pretty pleasing at half-time, but we knew it was going to change in the second half … you find out where you’re at as a group going up against a very good team like Manly.”
Kick-off was delayed by about half an hour after a 17-seat mini-bus was sent to collect Manly’s 35-strong touring party, who had to rustle up five taxis in a hurry to reach the west London ground.
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