Stewarts sensational as Manly trounce Knights

THE Manly Sea Eagles have put the rest of the NRL on alert after belting the Newcastle Knights 32-10 in front of 21,798 crowd at Ausgrid this afternoon.

The Sea Eagles revealed their intentions early in the match, scoring off their first set courtesy of a David Williams breaks down the right side. The speedy winger then offloaded to Jamie Lyon who scored.

The next passage of play saw the Newcastle Knights handed several opportunities to hit back, but a failure to complete sets ensured the home side remained scoreless. 

Points finally came again in the 19th minute but it was for the Sea Eagles again after they spread it to the left and Brett Stewart found a racing Michael Robertson who dove over to score. 

Newcastle continued to create opportunities over the next ten minutes of play, however a mixture of bad passes and poor ball handling by the Knights and strong defense by the Sea Eagles ensured the Knights stayed scoreless.

The Sea Eagles had no problem making the most of it when they were given their opportunities, with Glenn Stewart capitalising on some holes in the Knights' goal line defense to score in the 31st minute.

Des Hasler's side were over again minutes later after Jamie Lyon grounded a Daley Cherry-Evans grubber minutes out from half time.

The Knights came back from the break ready to chance their hand in the hope of breaking Manlys' defense, but the Sea Eagles were up to the task and kept them out. 

Ricks Stone's side were finally able to get points on the board in the 62nd minute when James McManus crossed for a try following a Keith Lulia line break.

Any hopes of a come back were laid to rest however as the Knights struggled to put together consecutive sets and Manly got over again ten minutes later through Steve Matai.

The Sea Eagles scored straight off the next set after Jamie Buhrer broke the line and off loaded to a racing Brett Stewart. 

The Knights managed a consolation try with only a minute left the match when McManus crossed for his second. 

Des Hasler will be thrilled with his side who were strong all over the park. For the Knights, Rick Stone will have a lot to talk about with his side, they butchered a lot of opportunities this afternoon and were guilty of several defensive lapses.

To add to their woes Junior Sau sustained a neck fracture and may not be back this season.

Match Details
Newcastle Knights 10 were defeated by Manly Sea Eagles 32
National Rugby League - Round 19 (Rivalry Round) - Sunday July 17, 2011 3:00pm
Venue: Ausgrid Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer and Ashley Klein
Video Referee: Steve Clark
Touch Judges: Paul Holland and Ricky MacFarlane
Crowd: 21,798
Halftime: Newcastle Knights 22 Manly Sea Eagles 10

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Glenn Stewart (1 Try)
2 Points - Brett Stewart (1 Try)
1 Point - Jamie Buhrer

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (10)
Tries: James McManus (2)
Conversions: Ryan Stig (1/2)

MANLY SEA EAGLES (32)
Tries: Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart, Steve Matai, Michael Robertson, Jamie Lyon (2)
Conversions: Jamie Lyon (4/6)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good Afternoon boys and girls and welcome to Ausgrid stadium where the eighth place Newcastle Knights take on the second placed Manly Sea Eagles.
In the Toyota Cup the Knights are currently leading the Sea Eagles 28-12. Conditions on the field are relatively good and the sun is out at the moment.
The Sea Eagles have just announced their late changes, Jason King is out and will be replaced with George Rose coming off the bench and starting at prop. Darcyy Lussick will replace Rose on the bench. Joe Galuvao also moves to the bench, for Vic Mauro who will start the match in the second row.
For the home side Matt Hilder and Evarn Tuimavave have been forced to withdraw from the match and will be replaced by Tyrone Roberts and Dan Tolar - who will start at prop. Steve Southern comes into the starting side at lock with Joel Edwards moving onto the bench. Antonion Kaufusi will also start the match at prop, with Richard Fa'aso shifting to the bench.
We have full-time in the Toyota Cup. The Newcastle Knights have defeated the Manly Sea Eagles 42-12.
1 min: Wes Naiqama has taken the kick off and the match is underway.
2 min: TRY
Manly spread it wide on the third and Williams makes a 50 meter break before passing it to Lyon who scores. Conversion attempt by Lyon is successful.
Manly Sea Eagles 6-0
4 min: Newcastle have kicked it dead from the kick off.
4 min: Foran puts in a grubber on the last but he hasn't weighted it well enough and Naiqama cleans it up.
5 min: Anothony Watmough knocks it on on his own 40.
7 min: Mullen puts up a cross field kick on the last. Lyon goes up for it but knocks it on meters out from his own line. Another scrum for the Knights.
9 min: Ryan Stig puts in a grubber on the last, Brett Stewart is forced to bat it dead and the Knights will get a line dropout and another crack at the Sea Eagles' line.
10 min: Dan Tolar tries to offload on the fourth and Brent Kite picks up the loose ball.
13 min: Manly are making great meters on the right edge.
13 min: Manly are making great meters on the right edge.
15 min: Mullen goes to the air on the last on 10 out from the Sea Eagles' line, Uate is able to catch it and gets into the in goal but can't ground it.
16 min: Manly are penalised for an incorrect play the ball a few meters from their own line. Knights will get another chance.
16 min: The Knights lose it on the first play and Ballin pounces on the loose ball, he makes it to his own 40 before being tackled. The Knights concede a penalty for laying all over the tackled player.
17 min: Lulia attempts an intercept but can't get a hold of the ball and Manly will get a scrum 10 out from the Knights' line.
19 min: TRY
The Sea Eagles spread it out to the left, Stewart throws a cutout pass to Michael Robertson who scores in the corner. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon is successful.
Manly Sea Eagles 10-0
22 min: Knights get a penalty and piggyback out of their half.
23 min: George Rose steals the ball from Ryan Stig 30 out from the Manly line but it goes forward of Rose and the Knights' will get the scrum.
24 min: Edwards knocks the ball on on the third play only a few meters out from the Manly line.
26 min: Wes Naiqama may be injured here, he is not looking good.
26 min: Sea Eagles are penalised for being off side and the Knights get another piggyback up the field.
27 min: Mullen grubbers on the last but Stewart is able to clean it up and get it back in the field of play.
29 min: Bad kick from Cherry Evans on the goes straight down the throat of Uate who takes it on his 30 and runs back to half way before being tackled.
30 min: Knights are pinned for being off side and the Sea Eagles will have some great field position.
30 min: Junior Sau is down in back play.
32 min: TRY
Glenn Stewart capitalises on the absence of Sau in the line and muscles his way over the line. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon is unsuccessful.
Manly Sea Eagles 16-0
32 min: Sau has been carried off in a stretcher, it looks serious a possible neck or spine injury. It took them 5 minutes to get him onto the stretcher. Terrible news for the young winger and Knights.
34 min: The Knights make 80 meters on their set before Chris Houstan puts in a poorly weighted grubber which is all too easy for Bret Stewart to clean up.
36 min: The Knights are making good inroads by running it on the last, but they just can't get over the line.
37 min: Naiqama is off the field with an injury, it looks like something is wrong with his left arm.
38 min: Sea Eagles will get a line drop put after some good work by Glenn Stewart and Brett Stewart.
40 min: TRY
Nice little grubber from Dale Cherry Evans and Jamie Lyon races through to score. Conversion attemt attempt by Jamie Lyon is successful.
Manly Sea Eagles 22-0
40 min: That's the half. The Knights will be ruing missed opportunities. They are dropping way too many balls and their defense in their own half has been woeful. The Sea Eagles have looked dangerous all afternoon and it will be very difficult for them to lose it from here. Glenn Stewart has been fantastic.
41 min: Knights make 80 meters on their first set. Mullen goes to the air on the last but Brett Stewart is up to the task and takes a few meters out from his line under pressure.
45 min: Manly knock it on, on halfway. The Knights have hit the ground running this half but will need to improve their execution.
46 min: Ryan Stig puts through on the last and Uate is able to take the ball. He keeps it alive and passes it to Mullen who goes to the air. McManus gets the ball but is tackled and it's a changeover.
49 min: Stig goes for a chip and chase on the last from halfway. He manages to regather it but not before Brett Stewart gets a hand to it. It's six again for the Knights.
49 min: Costigan loses the ball on the first play. Another bombed opportunity from the Knights.
50 min: Lyon knocks the ball on, on halfway while attempting a tackle, scrum to the Knights on halfway.
50 min: Mullen goes to the air on the last, Williams and McManus contest the ball and Williams wins the contest for the Sea Eagles.
52 min: The Knights are really struggling at the moment. They are creating opportunities but just not finishing them off.
56 min: Knights are carting it up out of their half and we have an update on Sau, there has been no damage to his spine but he does have a neck fracture.
57 min: Manly will get their first full set in Newcastle territory of the half, they had no problem capitalising on good field position in the first half. Knights are in trouble.
58 min: Glenn Stewart passes the ball over the side line. Knights are off the hook.
58 min: Possible try to James McManus here after a break by Lulia.
62 min: TRY
Video Referee Steve Clark passes the decision back to Tony Archer awards the try. Ryan Stig fails to add the extras.
Manly Sea Eagles 22-4
65 min: Daniel Tolar loses the ball on halfway.
66 min: Jamie Lyon throws a terrible pass and McManus claims the loose ball.
67 min: Costigan loses the ball 20 out from the Manly try line. Another butchered opportunity.
68 min: Manly get a penalty after the Knights are pinned for being off side.
70 min: TRY
Matai goes on his own on the third and dives over to score. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon is unsuccessful.
Manly Sea Eagles 26-4
72 min: TRY
Jamie Buhrer makes a good break up the field and passes it to Brett Stewart who races down the field to score under the black dot. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon is successful.
Manly Sea Eagles 38-4
74 min: Cherry-Evans kicks it out on the full.
75 min: Mullen goes to the air on the last and Uate gets under it but knocks it forward into the arms of Brett Stewart.
76 min: Mullen grubbers into the in goal and Stewart and Robertson make a mess of it. Line dropout.
77 min: Possible try to Newcastle here. Ryan Stigg grubbers into the in goal on the last and McManus puts the ball down for Newcastle. Just checking a possible obstruction.
78 min: TRY
Clark awards the try. Conversion attempt by Ryan Stig is successful.
Manly Sea Eagles 32-10
79 min: The Sea Eagles attempt a short kick off, but Ryan Stig is ready for it and the Knights will go on the attack.
80 min: Joel Edwards puts in a grubber on the last but Robertson is there to clean it up for the Sea Eagles.
80 min: Full time hooter is blown and that's the game. A very convincing win for the Sea Eagle who will hold onto second place on the ladder. As for the Knights a win by the Sharks tomorrow night would see them out of the eight at the end of the round.