Knights run riot over Manly

The Newcastle Knights have re-ignited their season with a 56-12 thumping of the Manly Sea Eagles at Energy Australia Stadium this afternoon.

The Knights have moved into ninth position after the win and sit just outside the eight on percentages as they share an equal points differential of ?24 points.

Newcastle had most of their stars back this afternoon, including Manly bound second rower Ben Kennedy who scored a try against his future employer.

Danny Buderus and Timana Tahu also played well and will head into the final Origin match but Newcastle face a massive test against the Sharks next weekend without their Origin stars.

Manly were terrible and in the second half, turned up their toes and let the Knights run riot scoring 34 unanswered points. Manly face an under strength Bulldogs side but they are no certainties to win another game all year.

Scorers: KNIGHTS 56 Tries: Buderus x 2, Hughes x 3, Tahu x 2, B Kennedy, M Kennedy, K Gidley. Goals: Gidley 8/10

SEA EAGLES 12 Tries: Donald, Bradley Goals: Walker 2/2

By the clock: 1st min: Kickoff! We are underway at Newcastle.

5th min: Still no score but Manly have had the lions share of the early possession.

12th min: TRY - Knights. Newcastle open the scoring with a try to Danny Buderus. Conversion successful. Knights 6-0.

17th min: TRY - Knights. Part timer Mark Hughes gets the Knights second try. Conversion successful. Knights 12-0.

24th min: The Knights are starting dominate Manly but are yet to extend the scoreline. Knights 12-0.

26th min: TRY - Manly. Speedster Scott Donals gets Manly off the mark. Conversion successful. Knights 12-6.

32nd min: TRY - Knights. Mark Hughes gets a double and extends the Knights lead not far from half time. Conversion successful. Knights 18-6.

36th min: TRY - Knights. Timana Tahu inflicts more pain on the hapless Sea Eagles and things are looking grim for Manly just out from half time. Conversion unsuccessful. Knights 22-6.

40th min: TRY - Manly. A crucial try to Manly right on the stroke of half time that sees them still in the hunt at half time. Conversion successful. Knights 22-12.

48th min: Still no change to half time score but the Knights are looking much stronger.

50th min: TRY - Knights. Timana Tahu gets a double to put the Knights in a commanding position. Manly certainly have the job in front of them if they are get a win this afternoon. Conversion unsuccessful. Knights 26-12.

57th min: The Knights are coasting at the moment and should have too much firepower for Manly in the last twenty minutes of the game.

62nd min: TRY - Knights. Ben Kennedy scores a try against the team he will be playing for next year and wraps up the game for the Knights. Conversion successful. Knights 32-12.

66th min: TRY - Knights. The other Kennedy, Matt to be precise scores the Knights next try as the boys from Newcastle get to work on their for and against. Conversion successful. Knights 38-12.

69th min: TRY - Knights. Mark Hughes gets a hat trick as the Knights continue to humiliate Manly. Conversion successful. Knights 44-12.

77th min: TRY - Knights. Danyy Buderus gets in on the action and gets a well deserved double. Conversion successful. Knights 50-12.

FULL TIME: Newcastle have broken a four game losing streak and find themselves on the cusp of the top eight and with Kennedy back on deck, they are still a chance to make the top eight. The less said about Manly the better. They were terrible and will need more than Kennedy and Kite next year to make the competetive.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - D Buderus (Knights) 2 - B Kennedy (Knights) 1 - M Hughes (Knights) -----------------------------------------