The nib Newcastle Knights Under 16s dominated against the Canberra Raiders to win 50-16 at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon to advance to the grand final of the Harold Matthews Cup.
Knights’ vice-captain Bradman Best scored a hat-trick of tries as the red and blue piled on 40 points by halftime, before grinding out the match in the second stanza.
Standout performers included Best, captain Jaron Purcell and Christian Ma’anaima.
The Knights will now take on the Manly Sea Eagles in the decider at Leichhardt Oval next Saturday.
SUMMARY
Newcastle Knights 50 (T: Best 3, Meyn 2, Heaney, Black, Davies, Purcell, G: Buderus 7/9)
Canberra Raiders 16
TEAMS
Newcastle
1. Bradman Best, 2. Maile J Townsend, 3. Darcy Heaney, 4. Cooper Jenkins, 5. Patrick Achurch, 6. Max Buderus, 7. Kobe Davies, 16. Ben Olson, 9. Mitch Black, 10. Christian Ma’anaima, 11. Riley Meyn, 12. Harry Croker, 13. Jaron Purcell. Interchange: 8. Thomas Affleck, 14. Ryan Potts, 15. Tyler Doney, 17. Sione Tuitupou Kutu.
Canberra
2. Cooper O’Connor, 18. Tyson Kelly, 3. Nicolas Hall, 4. Junior Tupou, 21. Wezley Alexander, 6. Thomas Croker, 7. Jordan Williams, 8. Bradley Buckley, 9. Mitchel Souter, 10. Jesse Thompson, 11. Jack Williams, 12. Clay Webb, 13. Adam Barlow. Interchange. 1. Jacob Church, 5. Aiden Gaffey, 15. Isimeli Vaili 17. William Hills.
NEXT WEEK
2017 Harold Matthews Cup Grand Final
Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles
Date: Saturday 6 May
Time: 11am
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
