Sea Eagles cop a Tigers final blow

WESTS Tigers dented Manly’s top four prospects and boosted their own prospects of avoiding the wooden spoon in a thrilling 30-26 comeback win at Leichhardt Oval.

The Tigers trailed 20-6 at the break after first half try doubles to Manly captain Daly CherryEvans and Akila Uate.

The home team roared back after the break and completed a stirring recovery with winger Malakai Waten-Zelezniak crossing for the winning try with less than two minutes to play.

If the halftime margin had stayed the same the Sea Eagles would have gone fourth on points differential and the Tigers fallen to last behind Newcastle. The Tigers revival started when Kevin Naiqama and five-eighth Tuimoala Lolohea crossed for tries.

However Tigers’ fullback James Tedesco dropped the restart kick after Lolohea’s try and shortly after Addin FonuaBlake barged over to give Manly a bit more breathing space.

The win came just hours after it was confirmed Tigers great Benji Marshall, now with the Broncos, would return to the club on a one-year deal.

The playmaker spent time at the Dragons in between.