The Newtown Jets, the Sharks partner club in the Intrust Super Premiership, have played out a 22-all draw with the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in their trial match played at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
The Jets started strongly, two tries to back rower Anthony Moraitis, one of which was converted, putting them in front 10-0, before Manly struck back to make it 12-6 with half time approaching.
Just when it appeared that score would remain the same heading into half time, a sloppy Blacktown pass was scooped up by Newtown centre Lachlan Stein, who found Jordan Topai-Aveai in support, with the big winger striding away to score under the uprights.
Centre Addison Demetriou kicked his second goal and Newtown would take a 16-6 lead into the break.
Both coaches made a number of changes for the start of the second half and it was Blacktown who would grab the momentum, close the gap and then tie the scores up with back-to-back tries.
The Jets went back into the lead when prop Matt Jurd crashed over for a try, before Blacktown again leveled in the closing moments.
Overall it was encouraging performance from the Jets, who will benefit by slotting a handful of Sharks NRL squad members into their side once the competition proper begins.
