Manly Back on Track

Manly have used a scintillating five try burst in the opening 18 minutes of the second half to blow away the hapless Newcastle Knights 48-26 this afternoon at Brookvale Oval.

The Sea Eagles found themselves behind 10-8 at half time, but scored 28 unanswered points after the interval to storm past the Knights and hand them their 13th straight loss to start the season.

Manly on the other hand kept their home winning streak alive with their 11th victory in a row at ‘Fortress Brookie’.

Things started well for Manly with veteran centre Terry Hill using all of his guile and experience to reach out and score in the eighth minute, but the try went unconverted as Michael Witt pushed his attempt right of the posts to bring his run of 18 straight goals to a halt.

Unlike weeks past Newcastle fought back strongly drawing level at 4-4 in the 14th minute after rugby union convert Milton Thaiday scored out wide courtesy of a Luke Quigley break.

The Knights found themselves in unfamiliar territory 10 minutes later hitting the lead after George Carmont gave winger Anthony Quinn a flick pass that his mentor Matt Gidley would have been proud of.

After missing his first attempt Dane Campbell made the necessary adjustments to slot home the goal and give Newcastle a six point lead.

Going behind seemed to shock the Sea Eagles into action and they were able to score shortly before the break when Scott Donald was first to pounce on the ball after a Brett Stewart toe ahead.

Witt missed his second straight shot to leave the home side two points adrift of the Knights heading into half time (10-8).

Whatever was said by Manly coach Des Hasler during the half time break was the right thing as his side came out breathing fire in the opening exchanges of the second half.

Brett Stewart was the first to cross after receiving an amazing offload from NSW Origin second rower Ben Kennedy and this was quickly followed by tries to Michael Monaghan, Terry Hill, Chris Hicks and Scott Donald that turned a two point half time deficit into a 36-10 lead.

Newcastle were able to put some respectability back into the score line late in the match with three consolation tries, but the Manly side made sure the Brookvale faithful went home happy thanks to a last-minute try to Kennedy.

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