NRL: Matai seals last-gasp Manly win

Will Hopoate of the Eels is tackled by Steve Matai of the Sea Eagles. Photo / Getty Images

Sea Eagles 22
Eels 18

An 80th minute try to Kiwi Steve Matai denied Parramatta a 2014 breakthrough NRL win at Brookvale Oval yesterday.

Manly were victorious in Sydney after Parramatta had taken the lead 18-16 with six minutes remaining.

But Matai grabbed a Daly Cherry-Evans kick in the final minute to deny the Eels their first away win in 21 games.

Joseph Paulo converted a Nathan Peats try to put the Eels ahead 18-16 before 14,135 fans but Manly pressed late in the game and showed again why they have been one of the NRL's dominant teams of the past 10 years.

Parramatta illustrated that losing remains a habit.

Wing Semi Radradra starred for the visitors, scoring a double. He beat four defenders for his second in the 67th minute after a 48th minute touchdown.

Parramatta largely failed to click in attack in the first half and did well to hold Manly back from a bigger lead on the back of indiscipline that saw a 5-1 penalty count against them after just 30 minutes.

Jarryd Hayne struggled throughout the match with an ankle complaint, while Ben Smith is another injury worry for the Eels. He left the field with a fractured finger in the 33rd minute and didn't return.

Glenn Stewart was put on report for a second half high tackle on Eels forward Fuifui Moimoi.

Radradra was also on report for a high hit on Cherry-Evans late in the game.

- AAP