Match Report: NSW Cup Round 13 vs Jets

The Jets ran in four first half tries to lead 24-4 with three coming within seven minutes. The Sea Eagles rallied late in the second half but failed to pull the margin back.

It was Manly’s 10th straight loss with the only win coming in round one.

The Sea Eagles were boosted by the inclusion of Blake Wilson, Joey Walsh, Hugo Hart and Zach Dockar-Clay. Wilson and Walsh sat on the interchange bench in the NRL match on Friday night.

Newtown opened the scoring in the third minute for a 6-0 lead when half-back Riley Pollard toed through a short kick from five-eighth Taj Ford after the ball bounced off the leg of Manly second-rower Aaron Schoupp.

Manly hit back when talented five-eighth Onitoni Large produced a show and go to cross for his first NSW Cup try for a 6-4 scoreline.

Large is just in his third game in the stronger NSW Cup competition after winning the Best Back Award for Manly’s SG Ball team this season.

Newtown went to a 12-4 lead after Manly winger Samuel Loizou rushed up in defence only for full-back Liam Ison to stroll through to score in the 22nd minute.

The Jets were in again four minutes later when hooker Kobie Wilson brushed off four defenders in a 40-metre run from dummy half to score for an 18-4 lead.

Newtown prop Tuku Hau Tapuha then broke clear in a 30-metre run to send second-rower Jaxon Lavender over for a 24-4 lead after 30 minutes.

The home side extended their lead six minutes after half-time when big prop Bradley Fearnley reached out with his right arm to score from close range for a 30-4 lead.

Manly crossed for their second try when Schoupp ran onto a short pass from Walsh to make it 30-8 after 62 minutes.

The Sea Eagles then scored the try of the match to winger Beau Newlands. After taking an intercept pass 10 metres out from his own line, Wilson ran across field for Walsh to split the defence in a 50-metre run before linking up with centre Semisi Kioa to send Newlands to the corner for a 34-14 scoreline after 69 minutes.

Schoupp crossed for his second try when he swooped on a clever Walsh grubber kick on full-time to score for the 34-20 scoreline.

The Sea Eagles return home to 4 Pines Park on Saturday, June 6, to play South Sydney at 3pm in round 14.