Match Report: NSW Cup Round 25 vs Knights

After a tightly contested first half, Manly took control after the break, scoring six unanswered tries to secure a convincing 40-12 victory.

The impressive victory against the third-placed Knights, was the Sea Eagles’ first since the opening round of the season.

Manly opened the scoring in the third minute when fullback Tex Hoy powered through two defenders to score against his former club. Hoy was unable to convert, leaving Manly ahead 4-0.

The Knights hit back in the 13th minute when a series of offloads created space for back-rower Brodie Jones to crash over. Fullback Connor Votano converted to give Newcastle an 8-4 lead.

Manly made the most from a Knights’ error from the restart, with Hoy stepping through the defence to score his second try of the day. Hoy added the extras to put Manly ahead 10-6.

Newcastle regained the lead in the 24th minute when a strong line break from winger Melchizedek Nonu opened up Manly’s defence, before an inside ball sent Brodie Jones over for his second try. Votano added the extras to take a two point lead.

Newcastle took a 12-10 lead into the break.

Five minutes into the second half, reserve hooker Jermayne Cook pounced on a Tex Hoy banana kick after it struck the uprights to score. Hoy converted from in front to put Manly ahead 16-12.

Manly shifted the ball to the right edge off the restart where back-rower Hugo Hart found winger Blake Wilson with an offload. Wilson then put in a grubber which centre Samuel Loizou gathered before finding five-eighth Onitoni Large to score. Hoy was unable to convert, leaving Manly in front 20-12.

Manly extended their lead in the 53rd minute, when lock Zach Dockar-Clay put up a cross-field kick which winger Navren Willett tapped back for back-rower Jackson Shereb to score in the corner. Hoy was unable to convert from the sideline, with Manly leading 24-12.

The try of the day started with a 30-metre cut-out pass to centre Beau Newlands, before Manly shifted right later in the set. Centre Samuel Loizou then found space down the touchline and put in a grubber which took two deflections before he regathered to score in the 58th minute. Hoy converted from the sideline to extend Manly’s lead to 30-12.

The visitors scored again about 10 minutes later when Loizou found space down the right edge and linked up with winger Wilson. Wilson drew the defender before finding Aaron Schoupp who scored Manly’s seventh try of the day. The conversion was unsuccessful, with Manly leading 34-12.

With four minutes remaining, Wilson produced a brilliant individual try, beating five defenders after cutting back inside from the right edge. Hoy added the extras to make it a 28-point margin, Manly winning 40-12.

The Sea Eagles will play their final game of the season against the Dragons at Lionel Watts Park on Saturday the 29th of August.