NYC Newcastle Knights coach Todd Lowire couldn’t be any happier with his side’s effort on the weekend, hailing their defensive performance as probably the best he’s seen all year.
The Under 20s recorded back-to-back wins to climb to sixth on the Holden Cup ladder.
After the NYC’s 50-22 thrashing of the Gold Coast Titans a couple of weeks ago, the team came home to do it again, this time against the Canberra Raiders.
“It's the second week in a row they’ve run away with it in the second half,” said Lowrie.
“I thought the first half they laid the platform really well, it was only 8-6 at half time but we were really in control.
“Our goal line defence was probably the best it’s been all year and although we were only leading by two, we were in control which is a good thing coming off the bye last week.
“We gave them a bit of time off and they all turned up with the right attitude and we went well.”
The NYC coach said Canberra threw everything at them.
“They came out really fiery in the second half but to our boys' credit they held them off early in the second half and came over the top of them in the back end,” explained Lowrie.
Lowrie praised an impressive showing by halfback Josh Ralph, who scored a double.
“(Josh) Ralph got a couple, he does some good things, he’s quite a talented player,” Lowrie commented.
“He has got some skills and he found his way through the line which is good for him.”
The NYC Knights will hope to continue that winning feeling when they take on the Penrith Panthers back at home this Sunday.
“We have Penrith (Panthers) who have been the competition leaders for a long time in the 20s,” explained Lowrie.
“They are always leading the comp; the Panthers are definitely the best team in the 20s so it will be a good test for us.”
“Although we’ve had back to back wins, we’ve played teams that are similar to where we’re sitting on the ladder.
“It will be a good test to come up against a team who are sitting well above us and find out how we’re going.”
Make sure you get to the game this weekend, because it will be more than 40 days until we return to play at McDonald Jones Stadium.
