LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
In a nail-biting clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Daly Cherry-Evans, the captain and half-back of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, stepped up to the plate and kicked a spectacular Golden Point field goal to secure a heart-stopping 21-20 victory over the Nth Qld Cowboys.
Cherry-Evans, showing nerves of steel, sealed the deal with his field goal in the final minute of the first golden point period, after the Cowboys had taken six shots at goal compared to Manly's two.
The return of Tom Trbojevic at centre, coming back from a hamstring injury, provided a boost for the Sea Eagles, while prop Josh Aloiai celebrated his 150th NRL game in style.
The Sea Eagles got off to a flying start, with Cherry-Evans orchestrating a brilliant play that sent winger Jason Saab gliding over the line untouched.
Reuben Garrick's conversion from the sideline gave Manly a 6-0 lead.
Despite the Cowboys leveling the score at 6-all with a converted try by half-back Chad Townsend off a kick from winger Kyle Feldt, the Sea Eagles reclaimed the lead with Saab scoring his second try, bringing the score to 12-6.
Amidst the ebb and flow of the match, with both teams pushing hard for dominance, the Sea Eagles dug deep and found the grit to secure the narrow victory, with Cherry-Evans emerging as the hero of the night.