Match Report: Jersey Flegg Cup Round 23 v Knights

Manly were outclassed on the day, being outscored eight tries to three as their struggles for the season continued. 

Two late back-to-back tries for the home side softened the blow, but their defence proved to be the deciding factor, with the Knights running away with a 28-point victory.

The Sea Eagles shot out early with a try in the third minute to Tenzin Contor. A quick shift to the left edge and quick hands to Contor found him in a gap, pushing past two defenders to score for a 4-0 lead.

Manly’s lead was shortlived, with the Knights scoring five tries in the second half to hold a 26-4 lead at half-time.

Two more tries in the second half saw Newcastle extend their lead to 38-4 with 15 minutes to play.

Oliver Lawry pulled one back for the Sea Eagles in the 73rd minute to soften the blow. A quick tap on the 10-metre line shifted right, finding Lawry. The centre slipped past one defender and reached out to ground the ball on the line for a 38-10 scoreline.

Manly grabbed another consolation try in the set following the kick-off. A quick shift to the left edge and a smart grubber kick infield by Zachary Karam saw Jett Jackson take a defender with him to score, capping off a 60-metre effort and cutting the deficit to 38-16.

The Knights scored on the stroke of full-time through Daniel Coyte for a final scoreline of 44-16.

Manly travel to Fiji to take on the Kaiviti Silktails in round 24 of the Jersey Flegg Cup. The match kicks off at 10am on Saturday August 16 at Churchill Park in Lautoka.