Match Report: NSW Cup Round 23 vs Knights

A shaky start was quickly brushed off as Navren Willett went on to score a hat-trick in what turned out to be a one-sided affair.

The Knights started fast with two tries in the first ten minutes but faded quickly, with the home side scoring 30 unanswered points to claim an 18-point victory.

Tries to Francis Manuleleua and Kyle McCarthy in the opening and eighth minute saw the visitors hold a 12-point lead.

Manly snapped into gear and scored tries in the 15th, 34th and 39th minute to find themselves in the lead.

A break down the right edge and a simple pass back infield to beat the full-back saw Dean Matterson crash over for a try in the 15th minute.

After forcing an error deep in enemy territory, Manly quickly struck to score in the 35th minute. A lovely cut-out pass by Clayton Faulalo sent Navren Willett over in the corner in the 35th minute.

The two combined for Willett’s second try on the stroke of half-time. Faulalo chipped it over the defence to the right corner, with the ball bouncing up perfectly for Willett who burst past the defence with ball in hand to score under the posts for an 18-12 scoreline at the break.

The Sea Eagles’ momentum carried into the second half with a try after four minutes as Willett secured his hat-trick. A quick shift to the right edge found Willett, who snuck past his opposing winger to score in the corner and take the score to 24-12.

Manly’s final try came in the 70th minute to cap off a fantastic performance by the side. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega palmed off one defender and broke through at the 30-metre line before passing out wide to Semisi Kioa who scored in the corner for a final scoreline of 30-12.

The Sea Eagles have a bye next week, taking on the North Sydney Bears in round 25 of the NSW Cup the week after. The match kicks off at 3pm on Sunday August 24 at North Sydney Oval.