The nib Newcastle Knights have kept their finals hopes alive, defeating the Gold Coast 34-4 in torrid conditions on Old Boys Day at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Both sides went into the game desperate for a win in order to ensure they finished 2019 on a high note.
8,247 fans braved the conditions, and with the rain tumbling down, it was the Titans who started the better of the two sides.
They’re early possession was rewarded in the 4th minute, when Riley Jacks slid past a Mason Lino tackle attempt to score on the left edge.
The Knights continued their shaky start, with Kalyn Ponga spilling a clearing kick in the next set.
The Knights defence recovered well and they were soon back on the attack, with Mitchell Pearce finding a yawning hole to give the Knights a 6-4 lead.
They were unlucky to have a second when Shaun Kenny-Dowall dived on a bouncing ball, however the bunker was forced to stick with the on-field decision of no try, with replays showing he knocked on.
It wasn’t long before the Knights did have their second try, with Mitch Barnett storming over to give the Knights an eight-point advantage.
The Knights’ third came in spectacular fashion, with Hymel Hunt finishing off a slick Knights move to score a length of the field special.
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The move began with a Mason Lino intercept on his own line, with the ball travelling through a number of sets of hands to finish with Hunt streaking away on the left edge.
The fourth was just as good, with Connor Watson scoring under the posts following a Mitch Barnett line break to send the teams into the sheds at 24-4.
With the sun coming out for the second half, it was again the Knights who had the better of the opening exchanges.
It wasn’t long before the Knights had another, with Bradman Best scoring a well-earned debut try.
Sione Mata’utia followed soon after, with Lino’s conversion giving the Knights a 34-4 advantage.
The Knights attack continued to dominate proceedings, constantly finding holes in the Titans line.
Their defence wasn’t too bad either, holding firm when challenged on their own line by the Titan’s backline.
Hymel Hunt was unlucky to not have a second in the final 10, with Best’s final pass ruled to have floated forward.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon iced the win with a try in the dying minutes.
The Knights now remain a mathematical chance of making the top eight.
