Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded a 32-all draw in Golden Point with the Newcastle Knights in Mudgee today in round five of the Telstra Premiership.
In a dramatic game that saw both sides lead at different times at Glen Willow Stadium, the Sea Eagles missed two field goals (one a two point) and the Knights four field goals (two were two point shots) in 10 minutes of extra time in front of a crowd of over 9000..
It was Manly’s second consecutive Golden Point match following a heart breaking one point loss to South Sydney last week. It was also only Manly’s second draw since the inception of Golden Point.
The Sea Eagles now sit on seven points through two wins, a draw, a loss and a bye.
The draw also saw Manly retain the Malcolm Reilly Trophy when the two clubs meet for the first time each season.
The Sea Eagles got on the board when barnstorming second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu brushed off three defenders in a 50 metre run to score near the posts. Winger Reuben Garrick converted for a 6-0 lead after five minutes.
Five minutes later, the Sea Eagles were in for the second when winger Christian Tuipulotu planted the ball down in the corner with his body lying on top of Bradman Best to stop him going over the sideline for a 10-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles were left a man short in the 11th minute when Olakau’atu was sinbinned for a professional foul in stopping a potential Knights try.
The Knights quickly capitalised on the extra space to catch Tuipulotu out on his wing for Greg Marzhew to score out wide for a 10-4 scoreline after 12 minutes.
Newcastle drew level in the 20th minute when back-rower Jack Johns hit a good hole off a short pass from Daniel Saifiti to score. Jackson Hastings converted for a 10-all scoreline.
Two minutes later, Knights forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon was sin-binned for a high shot on Sean Keppie.
A minute later, Manly centre Brad Parker was denied a try on a double movement call from the bunker.
Newcastle took a 16-10 lead when winger Dominic Young crossed out wide through a converted try by Hastings before Parker showed his class when he finished off a nice play down the left to make it 16-all after 29 minutes.
Young grabbed his second try five minutes later when the Knights put on a short side play for the winger to score for a 22-16 lead to Newcastle.
A break by Young saw some fine support play from Lachlan Miller and Hastings saw Young cross for his third try for a 28-16 lead after 57 minutes.
The Sea Eagles quickly bounced back a minute later when second-rower Kelma Tuilagi crashed over out wide. Garrick converted to leave the Sea Eagles trailing 28-22.
Manly drew level in the 67th minute after Kaeo Weekes burrowed his way over to score his first NRL try before Garrick dived over in the corner three minutes later for a 32-28 lead.
The Knights then had a try disallowed in the 75th minute after the bunker ruled centre Bradman Best lost control of the ball in trying to score in the corner against Morgan Harper.
A crossfield kick by Phoenix Crossland on the last tackle saw Young leap high to pull the ball down to score his fourth try in the 78th minute. Miller failed to convert to make it 32-all to send the game into Golden Point.
The Sea Eagles now tackle Penrith away on Saturday, April 8, at 5.30pm.
