In this week's Rookie Report, we take a look at the nib Newcastle Knights pathways teams in the Knock-On-Effect NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup competitions.
The two senior men's teams took on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 17.
The Cup side played a curtain-raiser before the NRL side on Friday night at McDonald Jones Stadium while the Jersey Flegg outfit hosted the Bunnies at Cessnock Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon.
See how each team fared:
NSW Cup: Knights 26-14 Rabbitohs
The NSW Cup side has returned to the winner's circle with a 12-point win over South Sydney on Friday.
The team put on a clinic in the first half running in four unanswered tries to take a 22-point lead at the break.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon scored the opening try in the third minute after getting on the end of a Jake Clifford grubber.
Nicholas O'Meley made it two only a short time later after a slick backline move down the left.
With 27 minutes on the clock, the Knights would have their third through Luke Huth who eased over near the line before McKenzie Baker scored an incredible individual try just before the break.
After a dominant first half, the Knights piled on more points at the start of the second-half with Krystian Mapapalangi strolling over after picking up a loose ball from a short drop-out.
Leading 26-0, the Bunnies staged a fightback scoring three tries including two in the final 10 minutes, but it wasn't enough as the Knights held on for a dominant victory.
The team remains in ninth with 14 points and only three points outside the eight.
The Cup team will play the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles next Saturday at 4 Pines Park and on the same day as the NRL fixture.
Watch the highlights:
NSW Cup Highlights: Knights v Rabbitohs Round 17
Jersey Flegg Cup: Knights 30-16 Rabbitohs
The Jersey Flegg Cup team has moved into second position on the ladder after a 14-point win over the Rabbitohs on Saturday.
The team started fast scoring two tries in the opening 10 minutes through James Johnson and Oryn Keeley.
The away team worked their way back into the contest scoring two of their own to take the lead.
On the stroke of half-time, James Johnson would have his second of the game to put the red and blue back in front.
With the match ebbing back-and-forth, the Bunnies again replied with a four-pointer to take back the advantage before the Knights stormed home.
Keeley would also claim a double getting across the stripe with 20 minutes to play before Riley Jones sealed the result with a try with five minutes on the clock.
The victory is another huge result for the under 21's lineup moving them back into second position on the ladder with 11 wins and five losses.
The team will also play on the same day as the Cup and NRL teams in a curtain-raiser against Manly next Saturday at 4 Pines Park.
Watch the highlights:
Jersey Flegg Cup Highlights: Round 17
