Knights defeat Rabbitohs in trial

The Newcastle Knights showed plenty of promise during their first trial of the 2013 season, defeating the South Sydney Rabbitohs 18-6 at Coffs Harbour’s BCU International Stadium on Saturday night.

Traveling with a squad of 30, the Knights fielded two teams with the same bench for the match.

Handling errors and poor discipline saw the Knights under a great deal of pressure early in the first quarter and a huge effort in defence kept the Rabbitohs off the scoreboard.

In the tenth minute, a sprinting Akuila Uate helped shift the momentum and the Knights into Rabbitohs' territory for the first time in the match.

Matt Hilder backed up Uate's run and forced his way over the line from dummy half to give the red and blue an early lead, 4-0.

Returning captain Kurt Gidley added the extras from in front, 6-0.

QUARTER BREAK: Knights 6, Souths 0

Great build-up play in the second quarter saw the Knights with another opportunity but a pass to Uate came too early for the winger to find the line.

Handling errors early in the second quarter put the Knights under pressure and eventually saw the Rabbitohs cross but they were called back due to an obstruction.

Uate again found himself in the action, coming close to crossing in the corner but he was shutdown by some clever defence from the Rabbitohs.

New recruit Jeremy Smith was put on report for a lifting charge late in the second half.

Penalties to the Rabbitohs forced Newcastle’s defence to work overtime to keep their 6-0 lead.

HALF TIME: Knights 6, Souths 0

A change of team in the third quarter saw 13 new players take to the field.

Tyrone Roberts at half back showed exactly why he belongs in the first grade team with a sneaky try in the corner early in the second half, 10-0.

Roberts converted his own try to extend the Knights lead by 12-points.

The Rabbitohs hit back with a Koroisau try and Reynolds converted to close the gap by six-points, 12-6.

THREE QUARTER BREAK: Knights 12, Souths 6

With ten seconds left on the clock, Roberts and Korbin Sims partnered up for the Knights third try and Roberts second, 16-6.

Peter Mata’utia converted to finalise the full-time score at 18-6.

No injuries were sustained during the first trial match and the Knights will hold a recovery session on Sunday, before resuming training on Monday in Coffs Harbour.

FULL TIME
Newcastle Knights 18 (T: Roberts 2, Hilder, G: Gidley 1/1, Roberts 1/1, Mata’utia 1/1)
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6 (T: Koroisau, G: Reynolds 1/1)

The Knights remain in Coffs Harbour until Tuesday, when they travel to Tamworth. Click here for more information about meeting the team or watching them train.