The NYC Knights showed nerves of steel to come from behind and beat the Broncos 19-18 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday evening.
Trailing by 12 points with 20 minutes to play, late tries to Nick Meaney and Joe Morris as well as a classy field goal from skipper Jack Cogger saw the young red and blues steal the two points.
Ten minutes in Brisbane came up with the first points, winger David Fauid taking advantage of superior numbers on the left to go over untouched. Haydyn O’Hara did well to convert from the sideline, and five minutes later Broncos hooker Kalolo Saitua forced his way over from dummy-half.
Trailing by 12 points the Knights needed to kick into gear, and with 20 minutes played they looked like scoring when Brock Lamb made a break, but Zac Hosking dropped his pass and the home side was left unpunished.
After continued attacking forays the Knights finally got their first points ten minutes later when Morris dived over from close range. Lamb added the extras and seconds before half time the Knights looked to have evened the score when fullback Meaney found the line.
The referee ruled obstruction however, and the Knights still found themselves chasing 20 minutes into the second half having had the lion’s share of possession.
With 62 minutes played Meaney came up with a brilliant try-saver on the wing, but there was no denying Fauid four minutes later when he grabbed his second in the corner.
Soon after a length of the field run from Meaney got the Knights back in the game, and Lamb converted to make the score 18-12.
With seven minutes left on the clock Joe Morris grabbed his second try of the evening when he dived under the posts, and Lamb again converted to make the score even.
It was panning out as a frantic finale to the game, and with three minutes to play captain Jack Cogger stepped up to slot a field goal and win the game for the Knights. The final score a very tight 19-18.
SUMMARY
Newcastle Knights 19 (T: Morris 2, Meaney, G: Lamb 3/3, FG: Cogger)
Brisbane Broncos 18 (T: Fauid 2, Saitua, G: 3/3)
TEAM
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Kainoa Gudgeon, 3. Cory Denniss, 4. Ken Tofilau, 5. Matt Soper-Lawler, 6. Brock Lamb, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Tyrone Amey, 9. Joe Morris, 10. Eddy Tuilotolava, 11. Sam Stone, 14. Zac Hosking, 13. Ryan Glanville. Interchange: 16. Viko Puliuleva, 17. Jordon Pinnock, 20. Jayden Butterfield, 21. Mitch Casson.
