The New Zealand Warriors stumbled to their second straight National Rugby League (NRL) loss, 10-13 to unbeaten Manly at Brookvale Oval in Sydney today.
Despite a late surge which saw Warriors second rower Simon Mannering score their second try in the 79th minute out wide, the hosts hadenough of a buffer and kept their composure to stretch their winning streak to four.
Before a crowd of 16,418, the Warriors led 6-0 at halftime but a mountain of defending in the first half took its toll as they conceded quick tries in the 55th and 59th minutes.
A field goal to Manly halfback Michael Monaghan eight minutes from fulltime ensured a seven point gap and there was no way back for the Warriors.
After wins over Parramatta and Brisbane to open their season, the Warriors have lost to powerhouses Melbourne and Manly in consecutive weeks and it gets no easier next weekend when they host unbeaten North Queensland.
A Tony Martin try, some outstanding defence and some good fortune gave the Warriors an unlikely halftime lead as they sought a fifth consecutive victory at Brookvale.
Martin opened the scoring in the 14th minute when he collected a Michael Witt crosskick which bounced up and fooled the home defence.
Martin added the icing with the conversion from the left touchline.
Manly then crossed the line four times, twice through flying fullback Brett Stewart, but were denied by match officials.
The Warriors' defence finally cracked 15 minutes after the break when wing Chris Hicks scored in the right hand corner from an overlap, then the dangerous Stewart was rewarded when he scooted around Martin to score out wide.
The Warriors only sparked up in the final 10 minutes but Mannering's try when the ball was flung around desperately, came too late.
To make matters worse, the Warriors lost wing Michael Crockett with a suspected dislocated elbow 13 minutes before fulltime.
Manly Sea Eagles 13 (Chris Hicks, Brett Stewart tries; Jamie Lyon pen, con, Michael Monaghan field goal) New Zealand Warriors 10 (Tony Martin, Simon Mannering tries; Martin con). Halftime: 0-6.
