Enigmatic Manly winger David Williams and fullback Michael Robertson both scored doubles in the Sea Eagles’ 44-12 NRL thumping of the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday.
Test winger Williams has endured a rough few months since his disastrous NSW State of Origin debut in game two, but he put his consistency issues to bed with a first class performance that helped to get Manly’s title defence back on track.
Williams scored two first half tries as the Sea Eagles ran out seven tries to two winners in front of 9,968 fans, moving to fifth place on the NRL table in the intense battle for the finals.
Robertson bagged his double in the second half while Matt Orford (53rd minute) and Jason King (69th minute) also crossed in the final 40 minutes after the Sea Eagles had taken a 20-6 lead into halftime.
While Manly carved up the Roosters with a handful of long range tries, it was their committed defence and composed ball control that proved they remain a considerable force for this year’s premiership.
Roosters winger Iwi Hauraki added a consolation try in the final minute to prevent Manly from holding the home side to a scoreless second half.
After back-to-back losses for the Sea Eagles and some ordinary performances from Williams, it took some fortuitous play on the young winger’s behalf to put his side in the lead as he took full advantage of some long overdue luck.
Things didn’t look good for Williams when he was left seeing stars after being slammed on his back with his first touch from a kick return after just 50 seconds, but his fortunes swung around quickly.
He won the foot race for the ball in the 18th minute after he and Jamie Lyon both toed the ball ahead from a Roosters fumble 70m out.
His second try also came from blinding pace, pouncing on Matt Ballin’s grubber just inches from the dead ball line in the 34th minute to give Manly their 20-6 lead at the break.
The second try was awarded benefit of the doubt by video referee Chris Ward even though Williams himself got up shaking his head, believing he’d fumbled the ball.
There was no doubt over Manly’s opening try, lock Glenn Stewart carrying three defenders over the line in the sixth minute.
Roosters winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall then provided one of the few highlights for his team with a brilliant 65m solo try.
Kenny-Dowall got the ball inside his own half and then beat four defenders on his way to the tryline.
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