The NYC Newcastle Knights lost 40-18 to the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
For 60 minutes the Knights led but the home side ultimately proved too strong for the young visitors as they crossed over for three tries in the final quarter of the game.
An error from the Broncos on the second tackle of the evening gave the Knights an early chance 10 metres inside Brisbane’s half, but winger Fuiamamao Uta was held up in-goal at the end of the set.
It wasn't until the 14th minute that the young Knights threatened again, Uta and Braden Robson earning a repeat set when they held the Broncos up in-goal.
Five-eighth Brock Lamb scored first points in the following set, collecting a grubber from fellow half Jack Cogger that deflected off an upright.
Lamb's conversion was spot-on, and six minutes later the red and blues almost grabbed some more points thanks to a 30 metre break from fullback Bryce Donovan.
Back rower Bradie Smith was held-up over the line though, and four minutes later the Broncos made them pay when halfback Ashley Taylor scored.
Taylor added the extras to even the scores, but with 30 minutes played the Knights struck again.
Lamb was again in the thick of things, slipping through the line to set up hooker Jake McNamara for a try. Lamb again converted, but while the Knights continued to dominate possession for the next ten minutes the score remained 12-6 when the half-time siren sounded.
The Broncos were quick out of the blocks when play resumed, Kalolo Saitua diving over with only three minutes gone.
Taylor converted to bring the scores even, but seven minutes later Smith finally got his try when he finished off a sweeping movement down the left flank.
Lamb converted beautifully from the sideline, but that was all undone in the 54th minute when the Broncos' Lachlan Lanskey dived over in the left corner.
The Knights failed to react and four minutes later the Broncos scored again via five-eighth Jayden Nikorima. Taylor converted to push the score to 24-18, and put the Broncos in the lead for the first time.
The home side didn't look back from there though, Jonus Pearson, Nikorima and Jayden Berrell all scoring over the next fifteen minutes to give the Broncos a 40-18 win.
SUMMARY
Newcastle Knights 18 (T: Lamb, McNamara, Smith, G: Lamb 3/3)
Brisbane Broncos 40 (T: Taylor, Saitua, Lanskey, Nikorima 2, Pearson, Berrell, G: Taylor 5/6)
TEAM
Donovan, Uta, Birch, Robson, Tofilau, Lamb, Cogger, King, McNamara, D Saifiti, Smith, Stone, Phythian. Bench: Kelly, Amey, Butterfield, Easton.
