The Newcastle Knights were defeated by the Penrith Panthers 44-6 at Pepper Stadium in Round 15 of the Intrust Super Premiership competition.
The Panthers asserted themselves in the first half of the game with an early try by Will Smith before a double to winger Malakai Watene-Zelezniak down the right edge. Yet, minutes from the half time siren, Knights newcomer Ryan Walker crossed with kicker Bryce Donovan adding the extras. The Knights headed into the break trailing 16-6.
Yet the Knights were unable to rally a comeback, eventually going down to the home team 44-6.
SUMMARY
Penrith Panthers 44 (T: Smith, Watene-Zelezniak 3, Harawira-Naera, Hall, Soward, Pua; G: Soward: 6/8).
Knights 6 (T: Walker: G: Donovan 1/1).
Teams:
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Josh Hall, 3. George Jennings, 4. Will Smith (c), 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Zach Dochar-Clay, 7. Jamie Soward, 8. Andy Saunders, 12. Sione Katoa, 10. Viliame Kikau, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 14. Brendan Attwood, 13. Tyrone May. Interchange: 16. Paea Pua, 19. Jarome Luai, 20. Jerry Key, 21. Oliver Clark.
Newcastle Knights
1. Bryce Donovan, 2. Mao Uta, 3. Ryan Walker, 4. Pat Mata’utia, 5. Akuila Uate, 6. Kurt Aldridge
22. Jack Kelly, 17. Uiti Baker, 9. Logan Harris, 16. Bradie Smith , 11. Pauli Pauli, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 13. David Bhana. Interchange 8. Luke Yates, 14. Ben Stone, 20. Tama Koopu, 20. Matt Soper-Lawler.
