Manly defeat Newcastle in second
half blitz

Fulltime score: Round 15 Manly Sea Eagles 48 v Newcastle Knights 26

Match summary:

The Manly Sea Eagles have prevailed at Brookvale this afternoon, defeating the Newcastle Knights by 48-26 in a second half scoring spree that saw both teams throw defense out of their games and focus on scoring tries.

Leading 10-8 at halftime following tries to fullback Milton Thaiday and winger Anthony Quinn, Newcastle looked to be making a real fist of the game. Manly scored either side of the Knights through veteran centre Terry Hill and flashy winger Scott Donald.

With possession and the scoreline fairly even, it appeared the match would perhaps turn into an old fashioned slugfest, but fans were instead treated to a free-flowing contest with tries aplenty and missed tackles prevalent.

Hill, Donald and Monaghan for the Sea Eagles all scored double, while clever fullback and good value purchase Milton Thaiday also chimed in with a quinella for the Knights. Anthony Quinn for Newcastle was sin binned late in the second half for an indiscretion as the game deteriorated and players fell off tackles.

Monaghan and Hill were good for the home team, as was Thaiday for the Knights. The match reinforces the grip Manly hold over teams at home, whilst Newcastle fans can take something away from the match after competing well without two star players in Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus.

Scorers: MANLY SEA EAGLES 48 Tries: Hill 2, Donald 2, Monaghan 2, Stewart, Hicks, Kennedy Goals: Witt 4/7, Monaghan 1/1, Hicks 1/1 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 26 Tries: Thaiday 2, Quinn, Salkeld, Worth Goals: Campbell 3/5

Venue: Brookvale Oval Referee: Sean Hampstead Half time: Knights 10-8.

Live commentary:

Beautiful Sydney winters day here at Fortress Brooky where the Sea Eagles are looking to preserve their imposing home ground advantage against a Newcastle outfit who haven't won a game all year and are missing two strike players in Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus.

5 min: Both teams sorting one another out in the forwards during the opening exchanges.

8 min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Veteran centre Terry Hill posts the first points for the visitors. Conversion from Witt waved away. Sea Eagles 4 Knights 0.

14 min: NEWS - no further score as yet, but some good productive play from both sides.

15 min: TRY - Knights. Milton Thaiday scores a try as the Knights hit back. Conversion unsuccessful from Dane Campbell. Sea Eagles 4 Knights 4.

23 min: NEWS - Sea Eagles enjoying a larger share of possession and looking to capitalise.

25 min: TRY - Knights. Anthony Quinn snatches the lead for the visitors with a solid try. Dane Campbell converts and the decimated Knights team are in front. Knights 10 Sea Eagles 4.

33 min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Scott Donald races away in the corner to get Manly back in the game just before halftime. Witt fails to convert again. Knights 10 Sea Eagles 8.

Halftime: We go to the break with the scoreline remaining 10-8 in favour of Newcastle here at Brookvale Oval. Possession, errors, penalties and tackles are all very even and tend to indicate the close contest which is being reflected on the scoreboard.

And we're underway in the second half!

42 min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Speedy fullback Brett Stewart gets Manly in front on the board early in the second half with a good try. Witt misses again. Sea Eagles 12 Knights 10.

45 min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Halfback Michael Monaghan puts Manly further ahead with a nippy effort. Witt finally lands one as the home side push further ahead. Sea Eagles 18 Knights 10.

46 min: NEWS - Sea Eagles enjoying an early second half flourish here.

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50 min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Hill bags his second as the home team push further ahead. Witt converts. Sea Eagles 24 Knights 10.

53 min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Hicks in as the Eagles run riot here at Brooky. Witt converts again. Sea Eagles 30 Knights 10.

57 min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Winger Donald posts another and the tries keep flowing. Witt converts. Sea Eagles 36 Knights 10.

60 min: TRY - Knights. Newcastle hit back through crafty fullback Thaiday. Campbell adds the extras. Sea Eagles 36 Knights 16.

65 min: TRY - Knights. Defense out the window with another four pointer to the Knights, this time it's Trent Salkeld. Conversion unsuccessful. Sea Eagles 30 Knights 20.

71 min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Monaghan gets a double as the Sea Eagles get back on top. Monaghan steps up and kicks the goal. Sea Eagles 42 Knights 20

73 min: BINNING - Anthony Quinn gets an early shower for being a little silly.

75 min: TRY - Knights. Brendan Worth gets a late one for the visitors but the game is beyond doubt. Campbell gets another between the posts. Sea Eagles 42 Knights 26.

77 min: TRY - Sea Eagles. Ben Kennedy puts the icing on the cake for Manly as Fortress Brookvale polishes up it's tag. Hicks adds the extras for a change. Sea Eagles 48 Knights 26.

Fulltime: The Knights asked some questions but at the end of the day Manly were too strong in a game which exploded in the second half with plenty of tries and very poor defense.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M Monaghan (Sea Eagles) 2 - T Hill (Sea Eagles) 1 - M Thaiday (Knights) -----------------------------------------