Sea Eagles move closer to Jersey Flegg finals
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles moved a step closer to the Jersey Flegg Cup finals today with a 30-12 victory over the Newcastle Knights at 4 Pines Park.
The Sea Eagles recorded a hard fought win over the second placed Knights that sees Coach Adam McEwen's men move to equal seventh spot on 18 points, just one win outside the top five with five rounds and a bye remaining. The top five teams contest the finals.
In the second match of a double header, the Sea Eagles opened the scoring in the 15th minute when powerful winger Sanele Aukisitino crashed over in the corner. Half-back Jamie Humphreys converted from the sideline for a 6-0 lead.
Aukisitino grabbed his second try with a one handed out down in the corner for a 10- lead after 14 minutes.
The Knights got on the board when half-back Liam Sutton managed to step his way through two defenders to score. Thomas Cant converted for a 10-6 scoreline after 24 minutes.
Smart Sea Eagles hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong then darted over from dummy half to score. Humphreys converted for a 16-6 lead after 32 minutes.
Six minutes after half-time, Knights centre James Johnson crossed out wide for a converted try to make it 16-12 after 43 minutes.
Humphreys then extended the lead to 18-12 with 15 minutes remaining through a penalty goal.
The quality half-back then backed up a fine break to score out wide for a 22-12 lead with 10 minutes remaining. Humphreys converted for a 24-12 lead.
A penalty goal to Humphreys saw the lead stretch to 26-12 before the Sea Eagles sealed victory with a spectacular try to second-rower Samuela Fainu two minutes from full-time. Humphreys converted for the 32-12 victory.
