The Reserve Grade Newcastle Knights is guaranteed a spot in finals after defeating the Wentworthville Magpies 30-24 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The home side found kicking difficult in windy conditions but made their comeback in the last 10 minutes of the match, scoring four quick tries to snatch the lead and victory.
Five minutes in, Magpies fullback Honeti Tuha recorded the first points of the match out wide. Nathan Davis converted as the visitors led, 6-0.
In the 28th minute, Jacob Gagan made a try saving tackle in the left corner but just a minute later the Magpies got their second via Davis before he converted his own try. The visitors led 12-0.
First on the board for the Knights was Gagan in the 33rd minute. Meaney was unsuccessful with the conversion.
The Knights trailed 12-4 into the halftime break.
In the second half, Tyrone Amey pulled off a kick and collect in the 52nd minute to charge to the line and get the Knights second. Braden Robson couldn’t stick the conversion and Newcastle trail 12-8.
In the 62nd minute, Wenty centre Dane Aukafolau side stepped his way to the line before minutes later it was Tuha to crash through the pack for the double. Davis booted both conversions in front as the Magpies led, 24-8.
A handy off-load by Jaelen Feeney gifted the ball to Braden Robson to dive over for another Knights try in the 70th minute. The conversion was successful and Newcastle trail 24-12.
A few minutes later, Knights centre Brendan Elliot found the line before Jack Cogger finished off his own grubber in the 74th minute. Meaney nailed the conversion to lock it up, 24-all.
Just before the final siren, Elliot recorded the double as he side stepped his way to the line. Meaney successful with the conversion to seal the win, 30-24.
Summary
Newcastle Knights 30 (T: Gagan, Amey, Robson, Elliot 2, Cogger, G: Meaney 3/4, Robson 0/2)
Wentworthville Magpies 24 (T: Tuha 2, Davis, Aukafolau, G: Davis 4/4)
Newcastle
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Tom Cronan, 3. Brendan Elliot, 4. Jacob Gagan, 5. Chanel Mata’utia, 6. Jaelen Feeney, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Mickey Paea, 15. Faitotoa Faitotoa, 10. Pasami Saulo, 11. Bradie Smith, 12. Braden Robson, 13. Tyrone Amey. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 16. Pat Mata’utia, 17. Sam Bernstrom, 24. Brodie Jones.
Wentworthville
15. Honeti Tuha, 2. Josh Hoffman, 3. Nathan Davis, 4. Dane Aukafolau, 5. George Jennings, 6. Troy Dargan, 7. Jeff Robson, 8. Siosaia Vave, 9. Cody Nelson, 10. David Gower, 11. John Folau, 25. Frank Pritchard, 13. Marata Niukore. Interchange. 12. Magnus Stromquist, 14. Matthew Woods, 16. Joseph Ualesi, 23. Willis Meehan.
SUMMARY
Newcastle Knights 30 (T: Gagan, Amey, Robson, Elliot 2, Cogger, G: Meaney 3/4, Robson 0/2)
Wentworthville Magpies 24 (T: Tuha 2, Davis, Aukafolau, G: Davis 4/4)
