The NYC Knights beat the Gold Coast Titans 38-10 at Hunter Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
In a game full of positives for the young red and blues, Fuaimamao Uta scored a record-equalling five tries and 2015 SG Ball Player of the Year Tom Starling made his NYC debut from the bench.
An early penalty to the Titans gave them the opportunity to score first points, winger Zac Spring finding far too much space down the right side to score in the 4th minute. Shaun Hudson did well to convert from the sideline, extending the lead to 6-0.
For the next 15 minutes the Knights soaked up plenty of pressure on their own line, until Uta found some space to dive over against the run of play in the 21st minute.
Lamb kicked from the sideline to even the scores and from there on in the young red and blues steadily grew in confidence with the ball in hand.
15 minutes later Uta crossed over for his second, racing through the line to get a hand to a Lamb kick moments before it went dead. Lamb wasn't able to convert from the sideline this time, but four minutes later Uta made a powerful 50 metre break that led to a Bradie Smith try in the following play.
Lamb again found himself converting from the sideline and did well to find the target as the half-time siren sounded.
The Knights took to the field in the second half with the score 16-6, but they saw that lead reduced to six points in the 47th minute when Brian Kelly found acres of space on the left wing. Hudson's attempted conversion veered wide, and six minutes later Uta rounded out his hat-trick.
Lamb missed his conversion, but six minutes later Uta scored yet again following some great build-up play from fullback Bryce Donovan.
From the the next kick-off the Titans put the ball dead to give the Knights a restart from the halfway line. It was no surprise when Uta made his way over the line at the end of the set to bag his fifth and equal the record for tries scored in an NYC game. Lamb again missed his conversion, but the score remained 32-10.
With eight minutes to play the Knights grabbed another try, halfback Jack Kelly latching onto a grubber to score left of the uprights. Donovan assumed kicking duties this time and was on target, pushing the final score to 38-10.
SUMMARY
Newcastle Knights 38 (T: Uta 5, Smith, Kelly; G: Lamb 4/6, Donovan 1/1)
Gold Coast Titans 10
TEAM
Donovan, Uta, Birch, Gagai, Tofilau, Lamb, Kelly, King (c), McNamara, D Saifiti, Smith, B Stone, Butterfield. Bench: Amey, Fepuleai, S Stone, Starling.
