Knights downed in final round clash against Cronulla

The nib Newcastle Knights NRL side have gone down 38-16 to the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Round 25 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

In the side's final round and on Old Boys Day, the Knights fought valiantly against the second placed team, but were defeated seven tries to three.

The Knights farewelled their departing players after the full-time siren, thanking them for their service to the Club.

The match kicked off in windy and wet conditions at the home of the Knights with the Club's Old Boys forming a guard of honour as the team ran onto the field.

The Knights were producing some enterprising play in the opening stages but couldn't get across the line.

The Sharks hit the front through Briton Nikora on the 11th minute mark to open the scoring

In his final game for the Knights before departing to England, Tex Hoy got the Knights opening try and converted his own effort to level the scores.

Cronulla regained the lead when Luke Metcalf claimed a loose ball and ran 80 metres to score for the away team nine minutes later.

With four minutes remaining in the first half and down by a try, Dom Young stood up.

The flying Englishman took an intercept and showed his blistering speed to run 90 metres to score.

The two sides went into the sheds all locked up at 12-all.

The Sharks started fast after the break with Nikora getting his second and Mulitalo scoring inside the opening 10 of the second half.

Needing a try to get back in the game, Young again delivered the answer.

Excellent work down the right found Dom in space and the winger made no mistake for his second of the afternoon.

Although, the Sharks regained the ascendancy with Ramien also running the length to score before Nikora claimed his hat-trick with 13 to play.

Mat Croker was sent to the sin-bin late in the game and the Sharks added a seventh through Lachlan Miller just before time.

The NRL side will look to have a strong pre-season to build into the next campaign in 2023.