It was a game to forget.
The nib Newcastle Knights were pulled apart 46-4 by the Wests Tigers on Saturday night at Campbelltown stadium.
The game started with such optimism. It was almost a dream start for Bradman Best, with the rookie chasing a Mitch Pearce grubbed but was unable to plant the ball. The missed opportunity was costly with the Tigers scoring moments later.
A Benji Marshall grabber kick from dummy half bounced up perfectly for Ryan Matterson to post first points. Paul Momorovski added the extras and the home team hit a 6-0 lead.
A penalty for offside saw the Tigers extend their lead by a further two courtesy of a Momorovski penalty goal.
A Luke Brooks bomb saw Kalyn Ponga taken out of play contesting the ball but the bunker deemed it was a fair contest and Robert Jennings took the bouncing ball to score their second.
Up 14-0 after 15 minutes, the Tigers kept the momentum running. A Ponga pass intercepted by Momorovski saw the Tigers race 50 metres with Best and David Klemmer making the try saving tackle but a few plays later Corey Thompson offloaded to an untouched Esan Marsters.
Luke Gardner crossed 14 minutes before halftime and Momorovski added the extras to push the lead out 24-0.
Then, just before halftime David Nofoaluma scored in the corner. The goal meant the Knights were 30-0 down after 40 minutes. The winger opened the second half scoring in 11 minutes when he grubbered for himself and regathered in the corner.
Minutes later, Nofoaluma had his third. Momorovski missed his first kick of the night but the Tigers were in the lead 40-0.
Michael Chee-Kam stepped past Ponga with 12 minutes left on the clock. A consultation try to Aidan Guerra put the Knights on the board but that’s all she wrote.
The Tigers big winners at home by 42 points.
