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Broncos, Titans win in DCE’s rough night

Chris Lawrence is surrounded by Gold Coast defenders. Photo: Getty

Chris Lawrence is surrounded by Gold Coast defenders. Photo: Getty

Daly Cherry-Evans’ big week ended in crushing defeat, with the Brisbane Broncos thrashing Manly 44-10 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

Cherry-Evans’ decision to renege on his four-year Gold Coast deal to sign a lucrative ‘lifetime’ deal at Manly made all the rugby league headlines in mid-week and he was jeered when he touched the ball by vocal cynics in the 28,691-strong crowd.

The boos didn’t seem to faze Cherry-Evans, who shook off the shoulder complaint that sidelined him from State of Origin I after receiving a last-minute clearance to play.

There were plenty of boos for Daly Cherry-Evans in Brisbane. Photo: Getty

There were plenty of boos for Daly Cherry-Evans in Brisbane. Photo: Getty

Trailing 20-0, quick hands from Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran set up Manly’s opening try through Peta Hiku in the 37th minute.

And it was game on when Cherry-Evans stepped three defenders and brilliantly kicked ahead for Brett Stewart to make it 20-10 in the 44th minute.

But there was no denying Brisbane.

Hulking winger Daniel Vidot capped his try-scoring double when he crossed in the 56th, as did pivot Anthony Milford in the 59th.

Outstanding centre Jack Reed was rewarded with a 66th minute try while winger Jordan Kahu completed the carnage when he crashed over two minutes from time.

The damage was done after Brisbane led 20-6 at halftime, piling on four tries before Manly could get on the board.

Brisbane have now won eight of their last nine home games.

Elsewhere on Friday, the Titans overcame the disappointment of Cherry-Evans’ u-turn to hold off the fast-finishing Wests Tigers 27-20 at Leichhardt Oval.

Winger Anthony Don was Gold Coast’s hero, crossing for the match-winning try in the 71st minute that took the sails out of an almighty Tigers comeback.

Don initially looked to be the villain when his schoolboy error almost led to an epic Tigers win.

Five-eighth Aidan Sezer had just nailed a field goal to take a 19-2 lead in the 57th minute, but Don made a mess of the restart, catching the ball and then planting his foot over the dead ball line.

From there the Tigers ran in three straight tries – two of them to makeshift second-rower Chris Lawrence – to take an inspired 20-19 lead.

But when James Roberts found space on the halfway line, Don finished off the rest, bringing some much-needed relief to Gold Coast’s week.

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