Sea Eagles lose to Knights in fiery Jersey Flegg game

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 26-6 loss to the Newcastle Knights in a fiery Round 13 Jersey Flegg match at McDonald Jones Stadium today.

With the scores locked at 6-all at half-time, the Knights pulled away in the second half to take victory despite being two men short for 10 minutes following a fight that erupted from a spear tackle.

The Sea Eagles opened the scoring when full-back Levi Hopoate delivered a lovely cut out pass for winger Tom Jarrett to score out wide. Hooker Jamie Humphreys converted for a 6-0 lead after 13 minutes.

The Knights drew level at 6-all through a converted try to five-eighth Mitch Henderson after he stepped past several defenders to crash over next to the posts with three minutes remaining before the break.

The Sea Eagles then had a let off inside the final minute of the first half when Knights winger Luke Pietzner went into touch in attempting to score in the corner.

Newcastle got off to a flying start in the second half when full-back Bailey Hodgson scored off a bomb on the last tackle. Henderson converted for a 12-6 lead after 39 minutes.

A break straight up the middle from Knights hooker Riley Jones saw him race away to score in the corner two minutes later for a 16-6 lead. 

Tempers flared after Manly winger Cameron Brown started a fight after being spear tackled by Knights forward Jack Cullen. Brown and Knights forward Braydon Guyan were sent to the sin-bin along with Cullen, who was also placed on report for the dangerous tackle.

Henderson scored his second try when he picked up a loose grubber kick to race 95 metres to score with 14 minutes remaining. He converted his own try for a 22-6 lead.

The Knights finished the scoring when winger Kyle McCarthy raced away untouched to score for a 26-6 lead.

The loss leaves Manly on the bottom of the ladder, two points behind Canberra Raiders, who they play next Saturday (June 3) at 4 Pines Park at 12pm.

Match Details

Newcastle 26 (Mitch Henderson 30', Luke Pietzner 37', Riley Jones 39'
Mitch Henderson 54', Kyle McCarthy tries; Henderson 3 goals) d Sea Eagles 6 (Tom Jarrett try, Jamie Humphreys goal).

Sea Eagles team

1 Lehi Hopoate, 2 Cameron Brown, 22 Charlie Thompson, 4 Terence Patolo, 3 Thomas Jarrett, 6 Harradyn Wilson, 7 Tylor Bunting, 8 Connor Cromarty, 9 Jamie Humphreys, 10 Zane Dunford (c), 19 Max Hayley,12 Xavier Sofeni-Calder, 18 Broden Konz; interchange: 14 Daniel O’Donnell, 15 Devante Mihinui, 16 Kylan Mafoa, 17 Cruz Smith