The nib Newcastle Knights have strung together their first back-to-back wins of the season, crushing the Warriors 36-20 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Knights were always in control of the contest, dominating against a strong Warriors forward pack in a performance which will send a stern message to the rest of the competition.
Wearing the high-vis Mining Jersey for the first time, the Knights represented the colours with pride in their first game back at McDonald Jones Stadium this year.
How it played out:
On a picturesque evening in the Hunter, the Knights shot out of the blocks with Kayla Romaniuk taking just ten minutes to draw first blood.
The Vice Captain fought her way over the line after the door appeared to be closed, with her sheer determination seeing her cross for the first points of the contest.
The four pointer not only opened proceedings, but instead saw the floodgates open as the Knights produced a flurry of attacking brilliance to see the Novacastrians to a hefty half-time lead.
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Staines scores on debut!
Yasmin Clydsdale was next to score, storming over the line untouched after some neat lead up work from Georgia Roche found her in space.
Not to be outdone, debutant Tess Staines, fresh off back-to-back four-try efforts in reserve grade, opened her NRLW account with a powerful effort in the south-east corner.
Tenika Willison cashed in soon after, before a late try to Warriors winger Payton Takimoana left the Knights with a 24-6 half-time advantage.
Takimoana crossed again after the break, however it was again all the Knights as the second half unfolded much like the first.
Tries to Jules Kirkpatrick and Evah McEwen ballooned the Knights advantage out to 26 points, before Takimoana crossed for a well-earned hat-trick with a consolation effort in the corner.
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Kirkpatrick extends Knights lead
What's next:
The Knights will hit the road again in Round 4, this time travelling to Sydney to face the Eels at Eric Tweedale Stadium.