The Reserve Grade Newcastle Knights weren’t able to get over the line against a physical Wyong Roos at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon, going down 26-18.
Wyong scored first thanks to a Paul Carter try and with Josh Mantellato converting, Wyong lead 6-0 after 10 minutes.
Knights' Will Pearsall did well to stop a try by the Roos before the home side got their first, via captain Tom Hughes in the left corner.
Jake McNamara converted to level the scores at six-all.
Roos fullback Luke Sharpe scored in the 26th minute, with another conversion by Mantellato to take back the lead 12-6.
The Knight hit back via a 30 metre Cory Denniss try, with the scores level at 12-12.
Sharpe had his second say with a try just before halftime, with the Roos leading the Knights 18-12 at half time.
After the break, it was back and forth between both sides before Mantellato scored his second try in the 48th minute.
Getting to within four points, the Knights' Lachlan Fitzgibbon crossed the line in the 56th minute before a Roos reply, via Joseph Manu, for the Roos to win 26-18.
TEAMS
Newcastle
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Cory Denniss, 3. Tom Hughes, 17. Joe Wardle, 5. Jacob Gagan, 6. Will Pearsall, 7. Jack McNamara, 8. Sam Mataora, 9. Tyler Randell, 10. Mickey Paea, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 16. Pat Mata’utia, 13. Josh King. Interchange: 14. Braden Robson, 15. David Bhana, 20. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 21. Tyrone Amey.
Wyong Roos
1. Luke Sharpe, 2. Chris Centrone, 22. Joseph Manu, 4. Dale Copley, 5. Josh Mantellato, 6. Jayden Nikorima, 7. Mitchell Cornish, 8. Jake Lewis, 9. Mitchell Williams, 10. Lindsay Collins, 17. Brock Gray, 12. Christopher Smith, 19. Paul Carter. Interchange: 14. Eloni Vunakece, 16. Poasa Faamausili, 18. Brendan Frei, 20. Brenden Santi.
SUMMARY
Newcastle Knights 18 (T: Hughes, Denniss, Fitzgibbon G: McNamara 3/3)
Wyong Roos 26 (T: Carter, Sharpe (2), Mantellato, Manu G: Mantellato 3/5)
