The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Women made a statement in the National Women’s Basketball League 1 East with a high-scoring 90–78 victory over the Newcastle Hunter Women on Sunday. The Sea Eagles set the tempo early, built a double-digit lead, and never looked back in a performance that underscored their offensive firepower and home-court dominance.

Fast start proves decisive

Manly Warringah came flying out of the blocks, using a 12–0 run in the opening five minutes to force Newcastle into an early timeout. The Sea Eagles moved the ball crisply, finding open shooters and attacking the rim with confidence. By the end of the first quarter, Manly had already put up 28 points, and their pace never relented.

Newcastle showed fight in the second period, trimming the lead to seven behind some aggressive drives and transition buckets. However, the Sea Eagles responded with a series of three-pointers to extend the margin once again before halftime. The Hunter Women continued to compete throughout the third quarter, but every time they threatened, Manly had an answer—usually at the free-throw line or via second-chance points.

Manly’s balanced attack

The home side’s scoring distribution was a major storyline. Multiple players reached double figures, with standout contributions from the backcourt and reliable finishing from the forwards. The Sea Eagles’ ability to push the ball in transition created easy looks and put the Newcastle defense on its heels all afternoon.

Newcastle, for their part, had strong individual moments and kept their heads up despite the scoreline. Their offensive efficiency was respectable, but defensive lapses and turnovers against a sharp Manly outfit proved costly. The final margin of 12 points flattered the visitors slightly, as the Sea Eagles led by as many as 19 in the third quarter before managing the game out.

What it means for the NBL1 East race

For Manly Warringah, this result reinforces their status as one of the most dangerous teams in NBL1 East, especially on home hardwood. The win keeps them in the upper echelon of the standings and builds confidence heading into tougher matchups. Newcastle will take positives from their resilience, but they know defensive consistency must improve if they are to climb the ladder.