Knights defeated in thrilling Grand Final

Despite a courageous performance and late comeback the Newcastle Knights’ Harold Matthews side has been defeated 39-32 by the Parramatta Eels during Saturday’s Grand Final at St Marys Leagues Club Stadium.

The Knights got off to a shaky start, letting the Eels in for two converted tries, 12-0.

Back to back penalties offered the Knights their first opportunity and they didn’t let it go to waste, with Tevita Pangai throwing a beautiful cut out pass to Dean Gavin who ran over for four points, 12-4.

The Knights attack continued, this time with captain Sione Mata’utia running on his own to put the ball down on the far left, 12-8.

With only a minute left in the first half Tramontana crossed for the Eels before Khoury converted to increase their lead by 10-points, 18-8.

The Eels continued to dominate early in the second half, scoring two quick tries to blow the score out to 28-8.

With the game looking all but over, the Knights refused to give up and embarked on a comeback, lead by Mata’utia who crossed for his second before McNamara converted, 28-14.

The momentum continued for the young Knights with Mata’utia running an impressive 70 metres to score his third, which with McNamara successfully converting, saw the score sit at 28-20 with only 15 minutes left on the clock.

Despite a gutsy performance the Knights couldn’t keep the Eels out, with Khoury scoring his second and Vidal kicking a field goal with less than 10 minutes to go, 33-20.

The Knights scored another two tries before the full-time buzzer but it wasn’t enough to win them the game, 39-32.

Knights 32 (Tries: S Mata'Utia 3, D Gavin 2, T Pangai. Goals: J McNamara 4/6)

Photo credit: ourfootyteam.com