From NSWRL site
Knights hold on in wet-weather thriller
Mason Cernoy
Game Summary
It was a rainy night in Newcastle, but the unpleasant conditions didn’t affect the quality of the match, with a winner not being determined until the final play.
The match started in Newcastle’s favour after winger David Armstrong managed to send centre Kyle McCarthy over the line via an offload with three dragons hanging off of him following his line break and 20 metre run, making the score 4-0 just nine minutes into the contest.
The two sides would continue playing quality football and turning it over in the red zone for the next ten minutes, until Will Pryce made a break downfield which resulted in a professional foul on the following play from Dragons forward Alec Tuitavake, who made a potentially try-saving tackle from an offside position.
After Tuitavake was sent to the sin bin, the Knights capitalised instantly with McCarthy running run down the right touchline to grubber infield for Elijah Salesa leaumoana who crossed the the Knights third try of the night.
Despite being 16-0 down with 10 minutes remaining in the opening half, Dragons halfback Jonah Glover set up Tuitavake perfectly under the posts to score the visitors first try of the game.
Savielo Tamale would make his mark on the game in the following set, breaking the line and busting 4 tackles to get St George Illawarra back on the attack, where Haele Finau would crash over on the stroke of halftime to send his side into the sheds only 4 points down at 16-12.
The second half began exactly how the first had ended, with Haele Finau sneaking over from dummy half for his second try of the match, giving his side the lead for the first time of the night.
The Saints had all of the momentum for the next stage of the match, making Newcastle work the ball off of their 10.
A break down the right hand side completely changed the game when Knights winger David Armstrong sent a crosskick back to the middle, which fullback Fletcher Sharpe chased down from over 40 metres out to score.
After Newcastle reclaimed the lead, both sides returned to the grind and found themselves in a real arm wrestle for another 10 minutes before Jonah Glover scored a miracle try, with his grubber ricocheting off of the Knights directly onto his heel, where he scorpion kicked it back into his own hands to score - giving the Dragons a 24-22 lead.
Dragons lock Viliame Fifita would then be penalised for a strip 10 metres out and directly under the posts, allowing Will Pryce to slot an equaliser, making the scores level for the first time in the match with ten minutes to play.
The Knights would eventually get their last chance to attack with two minutes to play, where Tyson Gamble placed a brilliant chip behind the defensive line that sat up perfectly for Armstrong who sealed the match for the Knights.
Talking Points
- The Knights right edge was extremely dominant and had no difficulties breaking the line, spearheaded by Fletcher Sharpe’s ballplaying, who always appeared to have time.
- Jonah Glover’s try was mind blowing and needs to be seen to be believed.
- All of St George Illawarra’s tries were scored within 10 metres of the posts.
- Haele Finau made a great impact to his side, scoring two tries on either side of halftime.
Key Moment
Making his first appearance of the year in the side, Tyson Gamble came up with the most important play of the night, when he placed the ball on an absolute dime for David Armstrong to break the deadlock in the final moments of the game.
What’s Next?
Knights can enjoy their second home victory of the year, and prepare to host the Sydney Roosters next Thursday and St George Illawarra will be off to Lidcombe Oval to take on the Western Suburbs Magpies.
