Knights keen to notch back-to-back wins

Hunter Ports Newcastle Knights prop Kade Snowden says the Knights are eager to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they take on the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

Newcastle are yet to find consistent form in 2012, but after notching their biggest win of the season against Penrith on Monday night, Snowden is confident the Knights will be able to fix that for Sunday’s encounter.

“I think it was the first game that we’ve scored over 20 points so we were pretty happy with that and it’s given us a bit of confidence,” Snowden said.

“We did play pretty badly in the second half and if we just fix up those little things this week, we’ll go well.

“We haven’t had (two wins in a row) yet, so we really want to win this week and we’re confident.”

The Knights forward pack put in an improved performance against the Panthers, with Snowden and fellow front-rower Evarn Tuimavave averaging more than 13 metres gained on each of their hit-ups.

The pair also muscled up in defence, completing 62 tackles between them.

Snowden said it was important the Knights’ forward pack maintained that form and continued to set a good platform for the backline against the Roosters.

“I thought the first 40 minutes on Monday was probably our best half this year and if we keep improving on that we’ll get where we need to be,” he said.

“There’s a lot of things we need to work on, but every week we’re getting better and it gives us fellas more confidence and it gives the backs confidence in us to get them forward so they can get on the front foot.

“It’s all basic stuff, just running a bit straighter and a bit harder, that’s just the main thing for me and I think last week it was a good start by me and Evarn.”

Sunday’s fixture looms a crucial match, with both Clubs sitting level on the NRL ladder with eight competition points. They are part of a logjam of six teams in the middle of the table, all with the same points tally.

Snowden said one key to securing victory would be to limit the dummy-half running of the Roosters’ back three when they are coming out of their own half.

“They do a lot of scoots and we’re going to have to look out for their wingers like Perrett,” he said.
“If we control them coming out of their end, we’ll control the game.”