Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded a thumping 52-22 victory over Newcastle Knights in the Holden Cup competition at Brookvale Oval today.
Heading into the weekend, the Knights were placed ninth with the Sea Eagles on the bottom of the ladder with just two wins from 18 games.
However what followed was an incredible win for the Sea Eagles and Coach Chad Randall.
Newcastle opened the scoring with a try next to the posts to Tyrone Amey for a 6-0 lead before the Sea Eagles drew level through a try to five-eighth Nicholas Hynes after a great infield kick by his winger in the 22nd minute.
Two minutes later, Manly full-back Tom Wright showed his pace and skills when he got on the outside of the defence to score near the posts. Hynes converted for a 12-6 lead.
The Knights hit back with a try in the right corner to Heath Gibbs in in the 30th minute for a 12-10 scoreline. Manly replied quickly with a try to Tevita Funa. Hynes converted from the sideline for an 18-10 lead after 37 minutes.
The lead was reduced to 18-16 at half-time after a converted try to Newcastle’s Sam Storm just before the siren.
Second Half
The Sea Eagles started the second half strongly with a second try to Wright, converted by Hynes, for a 24-16 lead after 45 minutes.
Two quick tries to Manase Fainu saw the Sea Eagles stretch the lead to 34-16 before the Knights pulled one through for a 34-22 scoreline after 67 minutes.
Funa stretched Manly’s lead to 40-22 with a converted try under the posts before Fainu scored again to make it 46-22. The Sea Eagles crossed again for the 52-22 scoreline.
