2015 NYC Holden Cup

[Billy]

Bradie Smith has had a funny turnaround from last year.
Last year he played some prop but also centre and wing, and i thought he was great in attack but a bit of a liability in defence.
This year he has been playing as an 80 minute second rower and his attacking numbers look a bit down on what you would expect - well below 100 metres per game - but he has been making almost 32 tackles a game and missing less than 2.
He is a tall, athletic guy who is fast enough to play wing and big enough to play prop, so i'd have thought he would be a great attacking second rower - it's odd he has become a tackling machine.

 

[rhugh89]

Round 23 NYC preview

Fri 14th August, 03:22PM


WESTS TIGERS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Round 23, 2015 NYC Holden Cup
Date: Saturday August 15, 10.40am
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium

Last time they met:

The NYC Newcastle Knights were beaten 52-16 by the Wests Tigers at Hunter Stadium in Round 10.

Teams:

TIGERS

1. Sione Alofi, 2. Ryland Jacobs, 3. Obed Karwhin, 4. Marion Seve, 5. Jayden Wheelhouse, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Jeremy Marshall-King, 8. Junior Tatola, 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Matthew Lodge, 11. Matthew Woods, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Tyler Cassel Interchange: 14. Veiru Mapesone, 15. Ray Stone, 16. Esan Marsters, 17. JJ Felise.

KNIGHTS

1. Bryce Donovan, 2. Matthew Soper-Lawler, 3. Josh Birch, 4. Fuaimamao Uta, 5. Ken Tofilau, 6. Brock Lamb, 7. Jack Cogger , 8. Josh King, 9. Jake McNamara, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Bradie Smith, 12. Jacob Saifiti, 13. Luke Yates. Interchange: 14. Jack Kelly, 15. Tyrone Amey, 16. Noah Easton, 17. Faitotoa Faitotoa.

Match Analysis:

After a narrow loss last week, the NYC Newcastle Knights will be searching for redemption against the Wests Tigers on Saturday.

The U20s Knights dominated much of the game against the Sydney Roosters to be overtaken in the final five minutes.

“The boys trained really well this week after coming off a narrow loss last week in a game we probably thought we should have won,” development coach and team manager Craig Smith said.

“We let ourselves down a little bit at times in crucial areas in simple facets of the game.

“This week we want to focus on being good at what we do best.

“With a little bit of confidence if we do that well, we will be okay this weekend."

A number of players have battled injury during the year but the side is close to full strength approaching the pointy end of the season.

“We are fairly strong, although the results over the last couple of weeks haven’t shown that,” he said.

“Matt Soper-Lawler played on debut with us last weekend and was pretty good, so he’s back again which is great.”

Meanwhile, Faitotoa Faitotoa returns on a four-man interchange after recovering from a foot injury that's kept him sidelines for eight weeks.

While the young Knights have come up with some recent disappointing losses, Smith assures confidence within the side is still there.

“We have worked really hard to get to where we are and have probably let our guard down at times with last week’s game against the Roosters,” he said.

“They are giving us great effort at the moment.”

Looking at the opposition, Smith expects the Tigers to play an attacking brand of rugby league on Saturday.

“We would like to think we are more a defensive side so one cancels the other one out,” he said.

“That’s our main focus, on defence.

“We know if we turn up we’ll put points on them because we know we have the attack in us. It’s just getting the defence right.

“We like to think we are a hardworking side with not a lot of frills in us, although we have quality players in our halves with (Jack) Cogger and (Brock) Lamb who are Australian Schoolboys reps."

Where it will be won:

“It will be about keeping our boys grounded and them believing in all the processes that we’ve used all year to get to this stage,” he said.

“Our game will be won and lost in our camp. It won’t be about the Wests Tigers beating us.

“If we play well, we’ll get our two points.

“We are getting to the stage in the season now with four games to go and where we sit on the table, it’s not dire as yet but it will be nice to put a couple of wins together.

“If we are to do that it will cement a spot in the top eight.”


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/08/14/round_23_nyc_preview.html

 

[MattyM]

28-12 to the Tigers at halftime.

 

[rhugh89]

NYC Knights dealt Tigers hiding

Sat 15th August, 12:20PM

The NYC Newcastle Knights lost 54-12 to the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday morning.

In what proved to be a horror game for the young Knights they failed to score any points in the second half while the Tigers ran
through for ten all up.

It didn't take the Tigers long to find first points when Tyler Cassel crashed over the line in the fourth minute.

Matt Woods converted, and six minutes later centre Obed Karwhin grounded the ball after an unorthodox passage of play.

The young Knights were clearly struggling to get into the game, and with 12 minutes played Karwhin grabbed his second when he leapt high to collect a Te Maire Martin bomb.

Three minutes later the barrage continued as JJ Felise benefited from a clever Martin pass to score.

With the score at 22-0 the Knights finally clicked into gear, Jack Cogger latching onto a grubber from halves partner Brock Lamb to score.

Lamb converted but in the 23rd minute there was another lapse in defence as Marshall-King capitalised on an error from fullback Bryce Donovan.

The Knights had two close calls in attack soon after as both Ken Tofilau and Fuiamamao Uta were denied following great runs.

There was no stopping Uta four minutes before half-time though when he intercepted a loose ball to run 60 metres and score beneath the posts.

Two minutes later the Knights looked like they were over again when winger Matthew Soper-lawler made a darting 30 metre run, but the video referee ruled that Cogger had dropped the ball over the line despite replays suggesting otherwise.

The Tigers were the first team to score in the second half, interchange forward Esan Marsters finding too much space in the middle to exploit. Woods converted to push the home side's lead to 20 points.

Two minutes later winger Jayden Wheelhouse crossed over for the Tigers as well, capping off a solid run from Martin to further extend his side's lead.

Soon after the Knights were denied what looked to be a clear-cut try, and in the following set Tigers forward Tyler Cassel scored to further compound the red and blues' misery.

With 14 minutes to play the Tigers scored yet again, Marsters grabbing his second of the morning thanks to a clever hit-and-spin on the line.

With only seconds left on the clock the Tigers grabbed their final try via winger Ryland Jacobs. Woods failed to convert, leaving the final score at a heavy 54-12.

SUMMARY

Wests Tigers - 54 (T: Cassel 2, Karwhin 2, Felise, Marshall-King, Marsters 2, Wheelhouse, Jacobs, G: Woods: 7/10)
Newcastle Knights - 12 (T: Cogger, Uta, G: Lamb 2/2)

TEAM

Donovan, Soper-Lawler, Birch, Uta, Tofilau, Lamb, Cogger, King, McNamara, D Saifiti, Smith, J Saifiti, Yates. Bench: Kelly, Amey, Easton, Faitotoa.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/08/15/nyc_knights_dealt_ti.html

 

[rhugh89]

NYC Holden Cup - Round 23 Results and Updated Ladder


NORTH QLD COWBOYS - 44
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS - 30


BRISBANE BRONCOS - 34
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS - 22


WESTS TIGERS - 54
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS - 12


MELBOURNE STORM - 28
CRONULLA SHARKS - 28


PENRITH PANTHERS - 36
NZ WARRIORS - 28


SYDNEY ROOSTERS - 38
PARRAMATTA EELS - 26


MANLY SEA EAGLES - 46
CANBERRA RAIDERS - 18


GOLD COAST TITANS - 32
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS - 30

POS	TEAM	PLAYED	WON	DRAWN	LOST	BYE	FOR	AGAINST	+/-	POINTS
1	PENRITH PANTHERS	21	18	0	3	2	684	380	+304	40
2	NORTH QLD COWBOYS	21	17	1	3	2	845	398	+447	39
3	BRISBANE BRONCOS	21	16	1	4	2	773	480	+293	37
4	SYDNEY ROOSTERS	21	12	0	9	2	677	584	+93	28
5	MANLY SEA EAGLES	21	10	3	8	2	588	530	+58	27
6	CANBERRA RAIDERS	21	11	0	10	2	582	715	-133	26
7	NZ WARRIORS	21	10	1	10	2	602	508	+94	25
8	WESTS TIGERS	21	10	0	11	2	620	536	+84	24
9	MELBOURNE STORM	21	9	1	11	2	508	671	-163	23
10	NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS	21	9	0	12	2	477	670	-193	22
11	CANTERBURY BULLDOGS	21	7	2	12	2	488	553	-65	20
12	PARRAMATTA EELS	21	7	2	12	2	473	660	-187	20
13	CRONULLA SHARKS	21	7	2	12	2	423	630	-207	20
14	GOLD COAST TITANS	21	7	0	14	2	508	607	-99	18
15	ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS	21	6	0	15	2	472	652	-180	16
16	SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS	21	5	1	15	2	456	602	-146	15

 

[rhugh89]

NYC Holden Cup Team - Round 24 vs Melbourne Storm

1. Bryce Donovan
2. Jacob Gagai
3. Josh Birch
4. Fuaimamao Uta
5. Ken Tofilau
6. Brock Lamb
7. Jack Cogger
8. Josh King
9. Jack Kelly
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Bradie Smith
12. Jacob Saifiti
13. Ben Stone

14. Braden Robson
15. Roman Fepuleai
16. Noah Easton
17. Faitotoa Faitotoa


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/08/18/nsw_cup_and_nyc_roun.html

 

[Billy]

Brodie Jones finally makes his NYC debut.

Knights up 6-0

- - - Updated - - -

6-6 after 13 minutes.
Knights have young talents Starling, Sam Stone and Brodie Jones on the bench.

- - - Updated - - -

Knights up 12-6 after 24 minutes.
tries to Kelly and Uta

- - - Updated - - -

Daniel Saifiti scores on 36 minutes.
Knights up 18-6 at halftime.

 

[Billy]

Donovan try.
Knights up 22-6 after 55.
Sounds like Lamb is having another blinder.

- - - Updated - - -

22-10 after 62 minutes.

- - - Updated - - -

22-14 with 10 to go.
We need to score again.

- - - Updated - - -

Gagai scores a length of the field try
26-14 with 5 to go.

- - - Updated - - -

26-18 with 3 to go.

- - - Updated - - -

FT | Knights 26 (T: Kelly, Uta, D Saifiti, Donovan, Gagai; G: Lamb 3/5) defeat the Storm 18



- - - Updated - - -

Fantastic win considering guys like Levi, Yates, Jacob Saifiti and Tofilau played NSW cup.
We jump over Melbourne to 9th place and keep our finals chances alive.

 

[rhugh89]

NYC Knights close out Storm

Mon 24th August, 07:03PM

The NYC Newcastle Knights trounced the Melbourne Storm 26-18 at AAMI Park on Monday evening.

Despite a late surge from the home side, the Knights hung on to record a well deserved win and keep their slim hopes of finals football alive.

The young Knights didn't get off to the best start with back-rower Bradie Smith dropping the ball in the first minute, but the Storm weren't able to capitalise in the following set.

First points were scored in the eighth minute when chief playmaker Brock Lamb put Jack Kelly through for his first NYC try.

Lamb added the extras from in front, but five minutes later the home side bounced back when Tony Tumusa broke through the line to give Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad an easy try.

With the scores even once more, it wasn't until the 24th minute that the Knights crossed over again, this time via Fuaimamao Uta following an impressive 40 metre run.

Ten minutes later the red and blues doubled their lead, imposing forward Daniel Saifiti bulldozing his way over on the left edge.

15 minutes into the second half the Knights furthered their lead via fullback Bryce Donovan, who collected another clever ball from Lamb.

Lamb missed his attempted conversion, but the Knights still led 22-6.

Soon after Melbourne's Nicoll-Klokstad made it a brace when he crashed over the line, and then Junior Kirisome followed suit with a try of his own to narrow the margin to eight points.

With six minutes left on the clock Jacob Gagai just about ran the length of the field to score and settle his side's nerves, but the
Storm again bounced back via Josh Cullen-Minhinnick to push the final score to 26-18.

SUMMARY

Newcastle Knights 26 (T: Kelly, Uta, D Saifiti, Donovan, Gagai; G Lamb 3/5)

Melbourne Storm 18 (T: Nicoll-Klokstad 2, Kirisome, Cullen-Minhinnick; G: Mason 1/4)

TEAM

Donovan, Gagai, Birch, Uta, Robson, Lamb, Cogger, King, Kelly, D Saifiti, Smith, Faitotua, B Stone. Bench: Fepuleai, S Stone, Starling, Jones.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/08/24/nyc_knights_close_ou.html

 

[rhugh89]

NYC Holden Cup - Round 24 Results and Updated Ladder


ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS - 28
PENRITH PANTHERS - 16


CANTERBURY BULLDOGS - 26
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS - 24


WESTS TIGERS - 46
CRONULLA SHARKS - 20


NORTH QLD COWBOYS - 24
NZ WARRIORS - 10


BRISBANE BRONCOS - 24
SYDNEY ROOSTERS - 16


GOLD COAST TITANS - 40
CANBERRA RAIDERS - 12


MANLY SEA EAGLES - 18
PARRAMATTA EELS - 16


NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS - 26
MELBOURNE STORM - 18

POS	TEAM	PLAYED	WON	DRAWN	LOST	BYE	FOR	AGAINST	+/-	POINTS
1	NORTH QLD COWBOYS	22	18	1	3	2	869	408	+461	41
2	PENRITH PANTHERS	22	18	0	4	2	700	408	+292	40
3	BRISBANE BRONCOS	22	17	1	4	2	797	496	+301	39
4	MANLY SEA EAGLES	22	11	3	8	2	606	546	+60	29
5	SYDNEY ROOSTERS	22	12	0	10	2	693	608	+85	28
6	WESTS TIGERS	22	11	0	11	2	666	556	+110	26
7	CANBERRA RAIDERS	22	11	0	11	2	594	755	-161	26
8	NZ WARRIORS	22	10	1	11	2	612	532	+80	25
9	NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS	22	10	0	12	2	503	688	-185	24
10	MELBOURNE STORM	22	9	1	12	2	526	697	-171	23
11	CANTERBURY BULLDOGS	22	8	2	12	2	514	577	-63	22
12	GOLD COAST TITANS	22	8	0	14	2	548	619	-71	20
13	PARRAMATTA EELS	22	7	2	13	2	489	678	-189	20
14	CRONULLA SHARKS	22	7	2	13	2	443	676	-233	20
15	ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS	22	7	0	15	2	500	668	-168	18
16	SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS	22	5	1	16	2	480	628	-148	15

 

[Joshhh]

Round 24 NYC team vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

1. Bryce Donovan
2. Jacob Gagai
3. Josh Birch
4. Braden Robson
5. Ken Tofilau
6. Brock Lamb
7. Jack Cogger
8. Josh King
9. Jack Kelly
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Bradie Smith
12. Jacob Saifiti
13. Ben Stone

14. Fuaimamao Uta
15. Roman Fepuleai
16. Sam Stone
17. Faitotoa Faitotoa

 

[Billy]

Round 24 NYC team vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

1. Bryce Donovan
2. Jacob Gagai
3. Josh Birch
4. Braden Robson
5. Ken Tofilau
6. Brock Lamb
7. Jack Cogger
8. Josh King
9. Jack Kelly
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Bradie Smith
12. Jacob Saifiti
13. Ben Stone

14. Fuaimamao Uta
15. Roman Fepuleai
16. Sam Stone
17. Faitotoa Faitotoa

I don't have anything against Sam Stone, who is a great young talent, but I can't understand how he is picked ahead of Brodie Jones. Up till last week I assumed it was because Jones hadn't turned 17 yet, but he played last week, and he showed during the Ball season and by being picked for NSW ahead of the year older Stone that he is the better player. All I can put it down to is that Stone has been in the side for a few months and knows the plays better.

 

[rhugh89]

Round 25 NYC preview

Fri 28th August, 09:45AM


NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS V CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

Round 25, 2015 Holden Cup
Date: Saturday August 29, 3.15pm.
Venue: Hunter Stadium

Teams:

KNIGHTS

1. Bryce Donovan, 2. Jacob Gagai, 3. Josh Birch, 4. Braden Robson, 5. Ken Tofilau, 6. Brock Lamb, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Josh King, 9. Jack Kelly, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Bradie Smith, 12. Jacob Saifiti, 13. Ben Stone. Bench: 14. Fuaimamao Uta, 15. Roman Fepuleai, 16. Sam Stone, 17. Faitotoa Faitotoa.

BULLDOGS

1. Josh Bergamin, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Michael Morgan, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Bronson Garlick, 7. Guy Hamilton, 8. Jake Kamire, 9. Brad Keighran, 10. Brandon Luamanu, 11. Harry Pondekas, 12. Renouf To’omaga, 13. Piki Rogers. Interchange: 14. Josh Montgomery, 15. Darcy Maroske, 16. Valima Teaupa, 17. Royce Hunt.

Match analysis:

The NYC Newcastle Knights return to their home turf of Hunter Stadium to face up against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in Round 25.

“The Bulldogs have been tracking along pretty well in the last couple of months while we have been up and down,” NYC Knights’ coach Troy Pezet said.

“It’s really important for us tomorrow to maintain the enthusiasm that we bought on Monday night and got away with the win against the Melbourne Storm."

With the short turnaround, Pezet said the young team hasn’t had a lot of time to dwell on last week’s performance.

Daniel Saifiti suffered a knee injury on Monday night but will push for fitness right up until the last minute to take the field on Saturday afternoon. Fuaimamao Uta is in the same boat after straining his ankle.

“We are hoping we will be as per the program, but after Monday night’s effort with all our young players, we’re pretty confident whoever we throw in there will bring a heap of enthusiasm,” he said.

Pezet believes the crux of the game will be in controlling the ball and finishing sets well.

“If we can do that we will ensure we’re in the game right until the end,” he said.

“Canterbury is a team that throws the ball around really well, so we really need a big emphasis on our ball control.”

Where it will be won: Ball control

“I think the team that controls the ball the best will win,” Pezet said.

“Both sides have plenty of points in them, but I think whoever has more opportunities with the ball will go a long way to winning the game.”


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/08/28/round_25_nyc_preview.html

 

[rhugh89]

HALFTIME - NYC HOLDEN CUP

Canterbury Bulldogs - 20 (TRIES: Hunt, Garlick, Morgan, To'omaga GOALS: Keighran 2/4)

Newcastle Knights - 4 (TRIES: Tofilau GOALS: Lamb 0/1)

 

[MattyM]

These blokes love conceding points don't they. No wonder only a handful go on to be successful.

 

[rhugh89]

FULLTIME - NYC HOLDEN CUP

Canterbury Bulldogs - 52 (TRIES: Pondekas 2, Smith 2, Hunt, Garlick, Morgan, To'omaga, Keighran, Rennie GOALS: Keighran 2/5 Hamilton 3/4 Bergiman 1/1)

Newcastle Knights - 18 (TRIES: Tofilau 2, Kelly, Robson GOALS: Lamb 0/1 Donovan 1/3)

 

[rhugh89]

NYC Holden Cup Team - Round 26 vs Penrith Panthers

1. Bryce Donovan
2. Jacob Gagai
3. Josh Birch
4. Braden Robson
5. Fuaimamao Uta
6. Brock Lamb
7. Jack Cogger
8. Josh King
9. Jack Kelly
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Bradie Smith
12. Ben Stone
13. Faitotoa Faitotoa

14. Jake McNamara
15. Noah Easton
16. Jayden Butterfield
17. Tyrone Amey
18. Ryan Glanville


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/09/01/round_26_nyc_and_nsw.html

 

[rhugh89]

Round 26 NYC preview

Fri 4th September, 11:13AM


PENRITH PANTHERS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Round 26, 2015 Holden Cup
Date: Saturday September 5, 10.40am
Venue: Pepper Stadium

Last time they met:

The NYC Newcastle Knights ran out 34-8 winners over the Penrith Panthers at Hunter Stadium in Round 4.

Teams:

PANTHERS

1. Brent Naden (c), 2. Fuimanu Enese, 3. Corey Harawira, 4. Maliko Filino, 5. Christian Crichton, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Oliver Clark, 9. Dylan Edwards, 10. Moses Leota, 11. James Fisher-Harris, 12. Corey Waddell, 13. Tyrone May. Interchange: 14. Cowen Epere, 15. Kaide Ellis, 16. Dylan Fuad, 17. Reed Izzard.

KNIGHTS

1. Bryce Donovan, 2. Jacob Gagai, 3. Josh Birch, 4. Braden Robson, 5. Fuaimamao Uta, 6. Brock Lamb, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Josh King, 9. Jack Kelly, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Bradie Smith, 12. Ben Stone, 13. Faitotoa Faitotoa. Interchange: 14. Jake McNamara, 15. Noah Easton, 16. Jayden Butterfield, 17. Tyrone Amey, 18. Ryan Glanville.

Match Analysis:

The NYC Newcastle Knights strive to deliver a much-needed win after last week’s loss at home in their Round 26 match against the Penrith Panthers.

The young Knights didn’t fare well with the emotion and hype of the Old Boys Day occasion and the short turnaround suffering a comprehensive loss to Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs last Saturday.

“We certainly built it up to be a must win for us, and that may have had an adverse effect on the boys and tipped them over the line,” strength and conditioning coach Mick Reid said.

“We prepared well, but we just didn’t put our plans into play.

Yet, after a win over the opposition in Round 4, the U20s Knights are confident they have what it takes to earn two points again this time around.

“We have had a look at the Panthers and we beat them earlier in the year, so hopefully we have trained well all week and
will bring something to the game because it’s the last game,” he said.

According to Reid, the key to Saturday’s clash will be in the Knights’ defensive effort and work around the middle off the ruck.

“They have some big boys and a lot of offloads, so we’ve been working a fair but on that,” he said.

“We know what they bring to the table and hopefully we can attack them a little bit and get a little fracture around the edge of their ruck and get some joy."

Reid is hoping for a big effort from the Knights’ forward pack with Daniel Safaiti, a stand out this year, expected to bring his usual impressive form.

“I’m looking for those guys to set the foundation and get us moving forward,” he added.

“They will need to be tough and ruthless.

Sitting in eleventh place on the competition ladder, a win for the Knights could still see the possibly of finals football pending the results of other Round 26 games.

“We are going one game at a time and if we’re lucky enough to get there, we’ll reassess,” he concluded.

Where it will be won: Sticking to the game plan

“We need to finish our structures and ends of sets properly.

“If we do that we’ll go a good way to matching them and getting a win,” Reid said.

“I think it is going to be an even matched game, but we have to play our game plan and not worry about what they bring.”


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/09/04/round_26_nyc_preview.html

 

[turtonrd]

Not a good start - down 18-0 after 25.

First time I've seen the scrum shot clock in use and really like it, keeps the game flowing.

 

[rhugh89]

NYC Knights crushed by Panthers

Sat 5th September, 12:15PM

The NYC Newcastle Knights wentdown 36-18 to league-leaders the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

With two debutants in the team and plenty of big names moving up to NSW Cup for the round, the young Knights did well with the players available.

The red and blues had all of the early possession, but the Panthers still came up with first points when lock Tyrone May picked up a bouncing grubber to run 20 metres and score.

Nathan Cleary made the conversion to push the score to 6-0 with ten minutes played.

Nine minutes later the home side were over again when prop Moses Leota found some space beneath the uprights, and Cleary again converted to double his side’s lead.

Minutes later Cleary grabbed a try of his own when he received an offload 40 metres.

There was no catching the sprightly halfback, and with another conversion soon after the score was 18-0.

The red and blues were leaking points at an alarming rate now, and two minutes later the Panthers were over again, this time via winger Maliko Filino in the left corner.

Eight minutes before half-time Mathew Faitotoa looked certain to score a try when Brock Lamb threaded a grubber through the line, but Panthers fullback Brent Naden was alert to the danger and knocked the ball out of touch.

There was no stopping Braden Robson in the following set though, as he finished off a neat move from the line drop-out.

Lamb added the extras to push the half-time score to 22-6.

Eight minutes into the second half Cleary bagged his second with a 20 metre run, and added another two points on from the tee.

Six minutes later the Knights struck back, Mathew Faitotoa receiving a pass 30 metres out to leave the Panthers’ defence in his dust.

Bryce Donovan made the conversion to push the score to 28-12.

With 18 minutes left on the clock a good kick-chase from the Knights saw Naden drop the ball in his own in-goal.

Daniel Saifiti was the quickest to react, and scored an easy try left of the uprights.

The Knights continued to build pressure with multiple sets on the opposition line, but all the good work was undone with ten minutes to play when the Panthers capitalised on a string of penalties.

Interchange hooker Dylan Edwards grounded a scrappy kick, pushing his side’s lead to 16 points.

With three minutes left on the clock Filino grabbed his second try for the Panthers, pushing the final score to 36-18.

SUMMARY

Penrith Panthers - 36 (T: May, Leota, Cleary 2, Filino 2, Edwards; G: Cleary 4/ 7)

Newcastle Knights - 18 (T: Robson, M Faitotoa, D Saifiti; G: Lamb 1/1, Donovan 2/2)



http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/09/05/nyc_knights_crushed_.html