Match Report: NSW Cup Round 26 vs Jets

It was a high-scoring encounter on the Northern Beaches, with the home side out scoring their opponents eight tries to five.

Joey Walsh was heavily involved, with the young half-back scoring two and playing a hand in several of the others scored in one of his best matches in the maroon-and-white jersey.

With Manly being out of contention for finals footy, they had full reins of their game and it showed, with their attack entertaining the crowd all over the park.

Newtown scored the opening try in the seventh minute after the ball was allowed to bounce in the in-goal for an early 6-0 lead.

Manly quickly bounced back with three tries to take a 16-6 lead after 30 minutes of play.

Walsh slipped through the defence with a silky step to score his sixth try of the season in the 12th minute for a 6-all scoreline.

Navren Willett found the line in the simplest of fashion 16 minutes later. The Jets broke down the left edge and tried to open up more space, only to pass it straight to Willett, who caught the ball and quickly turned around before running 50 metres to score, giving his side a 12-6 lead.

Manly continued their momentum as Zaidas Muagututia broke through to score at the half-hour mark. The utility faked a pass to the right before quickly burrowed past the defence to score in the left corner for a 10-point lead.

Newtown hit back with an intercept try in the 33rd minute to cut the deficit to 16-12.

The Sea Eagles scored their fourth try, with Walsh and Muagututia combining deep in opposition half. Walsh ran hard at the line before popping a smart ball back infield to the flying utility who fought his way over the line for a 20-12 scoreline at half-time.

Two tries in 15 minutes gave the Jets a 24-20 lead as momentum continued to shift to start the second half.

The Sea Eagles fought hard and regained the lead with three tries in 12 minutes.

Hugo Hart crashed over next to the posts in the 59th minute after Newtown dropped a high ball metres out from their own line for a 26-24 scoreline.

A quick shift to the right edge found Semisi Kioa, who quickly got past his opposing defenders with pace to break through and score in the corner to extend his side’s lead to 32-24.

Newtown looked to have scored in the 70th minute, only to be called back for a forward pass.

Manly scored their seventh in the 72nd minute off the back of a barnstorming run by Jacob Sykes. The lock broke through at the halfway line and passed to Hart five metres out from the line to send the second-rower over for his second try of the match and a 38-24 lead.

Felix Faatili scored for the Jets in the 75th minute but it was all too late, with the home side holding an eight-point lead.

Walsh scored his second try for the Sea Eagles in the 78th minute to cap off a valiant victory. The half-back broke through a tackle and skipped past a defender who flew out of the line to dive over the line for a final scoreline of 42-30.

Manly finish their season with nine wins from 24 matches played, in 11th place on the ladder with 22 points.