Knights fend off Warriors comeback to secure impressive win
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Newcastle have fended off a second consecutive Warriors comeback to run in an impressive 34-24 victory at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night.
The Knights had a 22-6 lead after running in four first half tries but like last week in their win over Cronulla, the Warriors showed fight to deliver a scare for the Novocastrians after the break.
The visitors got to within four points after tries to Adam Pompey and Edward Kosi reduced the deficit in the second half but a cheeky try to Kurt Mann from close range and double to powerhouse winger Greg Marzhew got the Knights home.
Marzhew and Dominic Young helped the Knights start fast with charge over tries on either edge setting up a 10-0 lead.
The Warriors hit back through Pompey in the 22nd minute and looked to have had a second via Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad through a similiar play but the NRL Bunker ruled Jackson Hastings was impacted in the lead-up to the try.
Marzhew too strong
Newcastle struck twice more within eight minutes through kicks not collected cleanly by the visitors for a handy 16-point lead with the breeze behind them in the second half.
The Warriors needed to be first to score after the break and could reduce the deficit on the right edge with Pompey putting on some fancy footwork to step around Bradman Best for the side's second.
Nicoll-Klokstad's ability to set up tries for Edward Kosi and Jackson Ford late kept the Warriors in the game momentarily but time this week was against them with the Knights doing enough to hold on.
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Knights
5th Position
away Team
Warriors
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match snapshot
- The Warriors conceded the first try for the sixth consecutive game inside eight minutes on Sunday night.
- The Knights led 22-6 at half-time after enjoying 60 per cent of possession in the opening half. They completed overall at 84 per cent for the evening.
- The Warriors lost Wayde Egan (head knock) and Te Maire Martin (ankle), who both failed to finish the game with injuries.
- Newcastle lost Jayden Brailey to a suspected serious knee injury while Mat Croker also limped from the field late.
- The Knights have now won four of their past five games against the Warriors.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has now scored seven tries in his past four games.
- Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson went past 1,000 points for the club with a goal in the second half.
- The Knights secured their third win in just their past 14 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (229 metres) and Edward Kosi (192 metres) ran for the most metres in the loss.
- The Warriors ran for over 1600 metres compared to Newcastle's 1300.
Play of the Game
The Knights scored over 30 points for the second week running and it was their flamboyant effort from kicks before half-time that set up the victory - Bradman Best finding Phoenix Crossland for the side's fourth of the evening.
Double kick pays dividends again
What they Said
"Our starts, there's a little bit more to them. We're piggybacking [teams] up the field. It's not through a lack of trying, it's just discipline and probably not thinking because they're so keen [to play]. We've just got to be smarter. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We've just got to own moments better and be more disciplined." - Warriors coach Andrew Webster
Warriors: Round 6
"There was no panic behind the line [after the two Warriors tries], I'm proud of the fact they were able to wrestle back the momentum in that second half of the period. Good to back up performances at home, it was really important for us. I thought our start was great but we didn't start the second half well. Happy, but not content. We're having a dig but if we're going to compete at the back end of the year, and that's a long way away, we're going to have to get better with some stuff too." - Knights coach Adam O'Brien
Knights: Round 6
What's next
The Knights will remain in Newcastle and prepare for a clash against defending premiers Penrith on Saturday night. Knights star Kalyn Ponga will miss another week and is set to make his return from concussion in Round 8. The Warriors make their way back to Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium for a second clash against the Cowboys this season. Tohu Harris (knee) will be pushing for a return.
