Newcastle Knights' SG Ball side put in a strong display in both attack and defence to cruise to a 40-6 victory in their clash against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Saturday.
Canterbury had most of the possession in the first half but the Knights kept them scoreless through superb defence. When the Knights got a chance to put some points on the board, they took their opportunity with Faitotoa Faitotoa running through a hole and scoring next to the posts. Brock Lamb converted and it was a 6-nil score line at the half time break.
As the teams returned for the second half, a simple hit up by prop Tyrone Amey turned into a 50m charge, running around the Bulldogs fullback to score.
Newcastle continued their momentum with a back line movement off the scrum which saw flyer Ngangarra Barker touch down in the corner, and shortly later a clever chip kick by halfback Jack Cogger set up Jack Mackin under the posts for the team's fourth.
It continued, Jack Mackin caught a high ball and sprinted 60 metres up the middle of the field only to be brought down close to the line. On the next play, Sam Stone strolled through for an easy four-pointer.
With ten minutes remaining, the Knights lead 28-nil.
The Bulldogs scored a late try but the Knights hit back with two long range tries on the left edge (Callan Edwards and Ryan Glanville).
Next weekend the Knights juniors are away against South Sydney.
SG Ball Summary
Knights 40 (T: Faitotoa, Amey, Barker, Mackin, Stone, Edwards, Glanville tries; G: Lamb 6/7)
Bulldogs 6
While in Harold Matthews, the Knights made it four wins in a row with a close 22-20 victory against the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday.
The Knights got off to a blistering start with a backline spread that resulted in winger Sam McIntyre scoring in the corner. Minutes later the Knights other flanker Brayden Musgrove got in on the action with a fantastic leap to score off Brendan O'Hagan's cross field kick.
From there it was all the Knights with a charging run by captain Brodie Jones scoring next to the posts and a smart dummy half run from Tom Starling to extend the lead in the first half.
At half time and it was all red and blue, 20-nil.
The second half started with a bone rattling tackle by Jack Weir which forced the ball loose and it looked like a repeat of the first half was on the cards, however ball handling and ill discipline brought the Bulldogs back into it.
A penalty goal to the Knights through O'Hagan give the Knights a 14 point lead with ten minutes remaining before Canterbury scored two late tries.
Harold Matts Summary
Knights 22 (T: McIntyre, Musgrove, Jones, Starling tries; G: O'Hagan 3/5) defeat
Bulldogs 20
