The nib Newcastle Knights Reserve Grade side recorded a 28-all draw against the Blacktown Workers at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The Knights got off to a great start as the forwards took control of the scoring to put them 12 points in front at halftime, but the visitors staged a comeback to level the scores at the final siren.
Eight minutes in, Knights winger Tom Hughes went out wide to plant a ball untouched on the left side. The Knights led 4-0 early on.
Five minutes later the visitors got on the board, as Toafofoa Sipley crashed through to the line. Jackson Hastings added the extras and Blacktown took the lead 6-4.
Hastings then made the next move and crossed over near the posts, but Newcastle quickly replied 22 minutes in as forward Brodie Jones showed some speed to make it their second for the afternoon. Ken Sio converted to lock the scores, 10-all.
Luke Yates staged some classy footwork to crash over in the 28th minute. Sio made no mistake with the boot and the Knights extended, 16-10.
Knights forwards were running riot as Sam Stone side stepped his way to the line to stretch the home side’s score to 22-10 into halftime.
After the break, it was Blacktown’s winger Jono Wright who took his opportunity following a hole in defence to bridge the gap to 22-14.
Knights defense remained strong as the Workers were held up at the line, but they eventually prevailed with a clever right foot step from Hastings to bag the double. He converted his own try, but it was still the Knights in front, 22-20.
On a role, Blacktown’s Joey Lussick grabbed a smart offload to have a free run to the line 64 minutes in. With a conversion booted in front, the Workers hit the lead 26-22.
A penalty just out from the line got the Knights closer to the action before finally a breakthrough on the right side as Sio dived over. The conversion missed and the score line was locked again, 26-all.
A penalty out in front and Sio decided to take the kick. He nailed it with five minutes to go on the clock and put the Knights back in the lead, 28-26.
But down the other end, Hastings had the same idea as he kicked a penalty goal 35 metres out to level the scores at 28-all, to draw the game, 28-all
Summary
Knights 28 (T: Hughes, Jones, Yates, Stone, Sio G: Meaney 0/1, Sio 3/4, PG: 1/1)
Blacktown 28 (T: Sipley, Hastings, Wright, Hastings, Lussick G: Hastings 3/5, PG: Hastings 1/1)
Team
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Tom Cronan, 3. Ken Sio, 4. Cory Denniss, 5. Tom Hughes, 6. Christian Hazard, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Josh King, 9. Danny Levi, 16. Pasami Saulo, 11. Sam Stone, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Luke Yates. Interchange: 14. Jack Johns, 15. Pat Mata’utia, 17. Tyrone Amey, 18. Faitotoa Faitotoa.
TEAM
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Tom Cronan, 3. Ken Sio, 4. Cory Denniss, 5. Tom Hughes, 6. Christian Hazard, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Josh King, 9. Danny Levi, 16. Pasami Saulo, 11. Sam Stone, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Luke Yates. Interchange: 14. Jack Johns, 15. Pat Mata’utia, 17. Tyrone Amey, 18. Faitotoa Faitotoa.
