NRL.com Wrap | Knights outlasted by Broncos up north

Barnstorming Bartlett: Centre Georgia Bartlett was inspirational, running the ball 264 metres and breaking the line on three occasions for the Broncos.

Full-time: The Broncos have stamped their authority on the competition after overcoming a gritty Knights side 30-12 to register their fourth win on the trot. While the Knights won the completion battle it was the Broncos' strikepower that proved the difference, with 10 line breaks compared to the Knights' four, 145 additional post-contact metres and 507 more run metres.

68 min: One last raid for the Knights as Spain looks for space on the left edge but the fullback is dragged into touch by Southwell.

63 min: It's offload city in Brisbane with the Premiers once again rewarded for their support play, stringing together four offloads to keep the play alive and it's Rhemy Hinckesman who takes the ball over the line to all but put the match to bed. Broncos 30-12.

58 min: Bartlett finds space on the left edge off a kick return but Kirra Dibb refuses to give up the chase and brings the centre down metres from the try line. Quick thinking Brigginshaw finds Lauren Dam in support who goes over untouched and extends Brisbane's lead. Broncos 24-12.

47 min: A sensation solo try from Upton puts Brisbane in front as the star fullback picks up a last tackle kick and sells a dummy at the line to run 70m and score. Southwell converts. Broncos 18-12.

46 min: The Broncos build pressure with a strong kick chase and force a Taulelei-Siala handling error but the opportunity goes begging after a wayward offload. 

38 min: Brisbane get across the line through Lenarduzzi again but the bunker rules the star forward is held up over the try line.

37 min: Fane Finau puts the ball down for the Knights and hands the Broncos an opportunity to go on the attack early in the second half.

Half-time: Despite a locked scoreboard at the break, the Knights had 55 per cent of possession and completed 12 of 14 sets. The Broncos however lead the way in tackle breaks with 19 compared to the Knights' 13 and 43 more post-contact metres. Broncos centre Georgia Bartlett got through plenty of work in the first-half with 139 run metres and two line breaks.

31 min: Southwell stamps authority on the match with her signature right-foot step, slicing through the Newcastle defence before finding Chelsea Lenarduzzi in support who can't be stopped before the line. Broncos 12-12.

27 min: Broncos winger Kerri Johnson leaves the field with injury and does not return.

27 min: The Knights look to post their third try when Tayla Predebon carries the ball over the line but Upton once again saves the day for Brisbane.

25 min: Fullback Lucy Spain hands her side an opportunity to take the lead after splitting the Broncos defence to run 55 metres off the scrum. An unstoppable Amelia Pasikala crashes over from close range later in the set.

20 min: Newcastle continue to mount pressure on the line and Georgia Roche hits the gap from close range to lock the score up at 6-6.

20 min: Quick hands on the Knight's right edge finds Shanice Parker but the winger is denied after some desperate cover defence from Upton. 

15 min: The Knights go on the attack but Julia Robinson and Caitlin Urwin stand tall once again in defence, carrying Mercedez Taulelei-Siala into touch.

12 min: A late offload from Shannon Mato puts Tamika Upton over the line to hand the Bronco's the opening try. A barnstorming Brianna Clark laid the foundation, splintering the defence with a long-range break. Southwell converts. Broncos 6-0.

9 min: A Jules Kirkpatrick charge down off a Jesse Southwell kick hands the Knights a golden opportunity to post the opening points but some great right-edge defence from Brisbane shuts the visitors out.

7 min: A nasty head clash between Broncos pair Lillian Yarrow and Bree Spreadborough in a tackle sees yarrow leave the field for a HIA.

4 min: An early penalty to the Broncos gifts them an opportunity to work the ball downfield but an error at the end of the set hands the ball to the Knights. Newcastle trade back an unforced error on the next set.

 

Late Mail

Broncos: No changes on game day with Rhemy Hinckesman returning from a head knock that forced her to miss last week's win over the Tigers and will come off the bench on Sunday afternoon. Reegan Hicks is also back on the interchange as the Broncos look to extend their unbeaten start to the year. Centre Julia Robinson will make her 50th NRLW appearance. No late changes on game day. 

Knights: The loss of captain Yasmin Meakes to a season-ending knee injury will see Jules Kirkpatrick step into the back-row, with Grace Giampino the new face on the interchange. No other late changes expected as Newcastle look to snap a three-game losing streak against the Broncos. Knights pair Shanice Parker and Tayla Predebon will play their 50th NRLW games. Newcastle are also unchanged in Sunday's 90-minute update.

Eels v Warriors at Eric Tweedale Stadium

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Full-time: The Warriors hold off the fast-finishing Eels to make it two straight. The Eels had the better of the Warriors in field possession (52 per cent) and completion (88 per cent) compared to the Warriors 70 per cent but it was the Warriors strike power that came out on top int he end. The visitors had 507 post contact metres compared to the eels 377, three more line breaks and six more tackle breaks. 

70 min: The Eels squeeze everything they can out of their final set and looked to make it a grandstand finish with a try in the corner, however the final pass from Murphy was called back forward and Warriors escaped with a 14-12 win.

65 min: A golden opportunity for the Eels to reclaim the lead with Fetalaiga sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.

65 min: The Warriors look to put the game to bed with six minutes to play however an incorrect play the ball from Metanoia Fetalaiga hands over possession.

59 min: The Eels launch a successful captain's challenge in their attacking zone for a Jasmin Morrissey knock on with the centre holding possession, however the Warrior's defence holds firm.

58 min: The Warriors are back on the attack but skipper Murphy wrestles back momentum for the Eels, intercepting and running 35 metres downfield.

53 min: Some desperation on the last play to keep the ball alive before Apii Nicholls gets a high ball away and Tysha Ikenasio regathers and scores to put the visitors in front. Warriors 14-12.

53 min: The Warriors have all the momentum go the length of the field in the set off the kick-off thanks to a barnstorming run from Shakira Baker.

52: Joseph returns to the field in a great boost for Parramatta.

50 minute: The Warriors work the ball downfield and Patricia Maliepo capitalises on an earlier break from hooker Jasmin Huriwai, scooting and beating Church one-on-one to score. Eels 12-8.

41 minute: A Butler high shot hands the Eels a repeat set on the line and Church does it all herself again, recovering from a wayward dummy half pass and chip and chasing to score a double. Eels 12-4.

Half-time: There's not much separating the two sides at the break with the Eels taking a two-point lead to the sheds with 48 per cent of possession. The Eels completed two more sets at 86 per cent compared to the Warriors 73 per cent. Parramatta fullback Abbi Church ran for 132 metres and had three tackle breaks.

36 min: Rory Owen leaves the field for a HIA and is later ruled out of the match.

34 min: Worrying signs for the Eels with Keilee Joseph being helped from the field on the half-time buzzer in her first game back after recovering from a knee injury.

32 min: Opposing enforcers Elsie Albert and Harata Butler go toe-toe trading hits and forcing an error each to set up a showdown before the buzzer.

28 min: Kaiyah Atai takes the Warriors downfield with a barnstorming run to splinter the Eels defence and the visitors go left on the next play to set up Payton Takimoana in the left corner. Eels 6-4.

22 min: The Eels are pinned down on their 20-metre line and Abbey Church scoots from dummy half and beats several Warriors defenders to run the length of the field to score the opening try. Eels 6-0.

17 min: Warriors look to post the first points of the match when Gayle Broughton ignites a second phase play with a late offload but the try is called back due to obstruction. 

11 min: A mistake by Stacey Waaka in Warriors' territory gifts the Eels an opportunity on their attacking line but Rachael Pearson's cross-field kick is too wide for Martha Mataele to regather.

5 min: The Warriors get their first opportunity in the Red Zone but strong goal line defence forces an error from Ocean Tierney and the ball goes into touch.

3 min: Both sides get through their opening set before the Warriors earn a penalty for a high shot by Taneka Todhunter.

 

Late Mail

Eels: One late change for the Eels, with Jasmin Morrisey coming into the centres in place of Lindsay Tui. Star recruit Keilee Joseph is set for her first game of the NRLW season after recovering from a knee injury in a major boost for the Eels. The Jillaroos and Maroons gun will line up at lock as Parramatta look to reverse a concerning trend of slow starts. Rosemarie Beckett is set to start at five-eighth after Cassey Tohi-Hiku was suspended, while Taneka Todhunter comes into the No.9 jersey and Boss Kapua makes her return from suspension via the interchange. 

Warriors: No further changes on game day after star recruit Gayle Broughton was elevated to the starting line-up at halfback in the 24-hour squad update. Mele Hufanga will have to wait another week after dropping out of the extended squad. Patricia Maliepo, who was originally named in the No.7, moves to the bench and Capri Paekau drops out of the squad.

Wests Tigers v Roosters at Leichhardt Oval