The Newcastle Knights recorded three wins from five games over the weekend. Unfortunately for the Knights, the Club’s senior teams suffered the two defeats.
Newcastle fought hard against the Canberra Raiders in the NRL, but vital errors at the backend proved costly with the Raiders winning a close match 26-20.
Despite the loss, the Club can take plenty of confidence from their effort in a match where it seemed little luck was on their side with a number of crucial calls going against them.
Halfback Tyrone Roberts and debutant fullback Matt Minto also performed strongly in the loss.
The Knights will now turn their attention to a vital round three clash against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Monday night.
To the NSW Cup and Newcastle proved no match for Mounties, with the away side cruising to a comprehensive 46-10 win.
In a match marred by disappointing errors, the men in red and blue struggled to keep pace with a strong Mounties side that piled on plenty of points.
The Knights will lick their wounds this week, before getting their chance to make amends against North Sydney at St John Oval in Charlestown on Saturday from 3pm.
While the Club's two senior teams lost, it was a much better result for the NYC outfit.
Inspired by a piece of individual brilliance from fullback Jake Mamo, Newcastle scored on the buzzer to record a thrilling 34-28 victory over Canberra.
The match looked destined for a draw with just seconds remaining, before Mamo kicked over the top, toed the ball ahead twice and regathered to score.
Mamo's brilliant try was his third for the match, an effort that lifted the Holden Cup side to consecutive victories to start the 2014 season.
In the junior representative ranks, Newcastle recorded two wins over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Saturday.
The SG Ball outfit charged to a dominant 40-6 victory against the Bulldogs, while the Harold Matthews side scrapped home with a 22-20 win over the Bulldogs.
On the back of two impressive wins, the SG Ball and Harold Matthews teams will now look to round four action this Saturday against South Sydney at Redfern Oval.
The SG Ball kicks-off at 1.30pm, while the Harold Matthews is expected to get underway from 12pm.
RESULTS:
NRL
Newcastle Knights 20 (T: Uate, Scott, McManus, Roberts, G: Gidley 2/4)
Canberra Raiders 26 (T: Croker 2, McCrone, Lee, G: Milford 3/5) defeat Knights 20 (T: Uate, Scott, McManus, Roberts, G: Gidley 2/4)
NSW Cup
Newcastle Knights 10 (T: Randell, G: Mantellato 1/1, Kerr 0/1)
Mounties 46 (T: Sauiluma 4, Goldsmith 2, Tupou, Foster, G: Bond 0/2, Cornish 5/6)
NYC
Newcastle Knights 34 (T: Mamo 3, Boyce, Levi, Mata’utia, G: Donovan 5/6)
Canberra Raiders 28 (T: Creith 2, Heffernan 2, Pangai Junior, G: Mago 4/5)
SG BALL
Newcastle Knights 40 (T: Mackin, Barker, Amey, Glanville, Faitotoa, Stone, Edwards, G: Lamb 6)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6
HAROLD MATTHEWS
Newcastle Knights 22 (T: Musgrove, McIntyre, Starling, Jones, G: O’Hagan 3)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20
Can’t get to Hunter Sports Superstore to buy your Red and Blue 2014 gear?
Place a merchandise order at the Knights Online Superstore between now and Thursday, March 20 to receive free postage anywhere in Australia! To shop now at the Hunter Sports Superstore online, CLICK HERE.
