In a nutshell
Jamie Buhrer scored a 77th minute try to give the Sea Eagles a superb come-from-behind victory.
How it unfolded
7’ – A succession of clever passes and a classy step from Steve Matai, sees the centre go over to open the scores. Jamie Lyon adds the extras: 6-0.
21’ – A gorgeous, flat cross-field kick from Johnathan Thurston is taken Aussie-Rules style by Kyle Feldt, who touches down expertly but fails to convert his own four-pointer: 6-4.
28’ – The Cowboys hit the front for the first time after an impressive spell of keeping the ball alive, with Thurston again heavily involved. Brent Tate eventually found a gap and went over. Feldt blasts wide, and Thurston needs to take back the kicking duties: 6-8.
32’ – Brent Tate goes over again thanks to a Thurston inside ball that created a huge gap. Thurston returns as kicker and slots the extras: 6-14.
42’ – Jamie Lyon puts in a shoulder charge and is penalised. Johnathan Thurston opts to kick at goal from close and straight on but pulls it wide. Justice has been served as Lyon’s penalty was a little harsh.
49’ – Jorge Taufua goes in at the left corner despite the efforts of the Cowboys defence. Lyon, from the touchline, just misses the conversion: 10-14.
58’ – Fantastic team effort from the Cowboys sees them reinstate their two-score lead. Thurston links up with Tate yet again and the ball is kept alive down the right, with winger Curtis Rona touching down. Thurston swings one through the sticks: 10-20.
67’ – Taufua grabs his second thanks to a Stewart Matai combination. Lyon pulls the goal wide: 14-20.
72’ – Foran goes over for Manly, with the video ref taking a couple of minutes to eventually award the four-pointer. Lyon converts to level the scores: 20-20.
76’ – Johnathan Thurston lands a field-goal: 20-21.
77’ – Buhrer scores a try for Manly after refusing a field-goal. Lyon converts to make it 26-21 with less than three minutes to go.
78’ – Cowboys regather short kick-off, but it’s not enough.
