NRL.com Wrap | Knights thrash Broncos to move close to September

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Full-time: Newcastle have solidified their place in the top-eight with a comprehensive victory over the Broncos. Fletcher Sharpe and Greg Marzhew each scored doubles, while Kalyn Ponga was in the thick of the action as the Knights claimed a 30-6 win. Brisbane fought hard, but their chances of finishing in the top eight have been dealt a knockout blow following their 13th loss of the season. Broncos 6 - Knights 30.

76th minute: Fletcher Sharpe has put the icing on the cake of an impressive Newcastle win. Reece Walsh put a chip over the top for Ezra Mam, but he wasn't able to reel it in, Thomas Cant picked it up and linked up with a charging Sharpe, who burst through a hole to score a 50-metre try untouched. Broncos 6 - Knights 30. 

74th minute: Newcastle's defence has been exceptional all night and they've just defended multiple sets on their own line to repel the Broncos. The Knights have been dealt a blow, however, with Mat Croker leaving the field for an HIA. Broncos 6 - Knights 24. 

68th minute: Now it's a Brisbane Captain's Challenge after a Newcastle pass was ruled to have been knocked down by Reece Walsh. Jermaine McEwen dropped the ball, but Walsh did not touch it in transit. It's a successful challenge and Brisbane ball. McEwen would have scored untouched had he been able to reel in the pass from Sandon Smith. Broncos 6 - Knights 24. 

68th minute: We've got a Newcastle Captain's Challenge after the Knights were ruled to have spilled the ball. Francis Manuleleua was the man to drop it but replays show the ball was stripped and it's a successful challenge. Meanwhile, Kalyn Ponga is battling some nasty cramps but he's had some pickle juice and will attempt to play on. Broncos 6 - Knights 24.

64th minute: There was a brief moment of joy but an error in the set after points handed Newcastle a chance to strike back. That they did, with Greg Marzhew walking the tightrope along the sideline before diving over to score in the corner. Broncos 6 - Knights 24.

60th minute: This time the Broncos break through and surprise, surprise, Reece Walsh is at the centre of it. The fullback delivered a superb pass to Deine Mariner, who beat multiple tackles before chipping over the top. Walsh surged past Bradmen Best to scoop up the ball and score the try under the posts. We're now off to the Bunker to review Walsh's conversion attempt, which was a shank. The touch judges initially waved it away but the referee has sent it upstairs and the Bunker has determined it went through the posts.  Broncos 6 - Knights 20. 

58th minute: The Knights continue to aim up in defence and have repelled another Brisbane attacking opportunity. The Broncos have looked dangerous since Billy Walters came on to the field a couple of minutes ago but they just can't find a way to the try line. Broncos 0 - Knights 20.

48th minute: Newcastle have turned defence into attack, with a midfield shift leading to a Dom Young break. The winger raced down the right sideline before passing back inside to Kalyn Ponga, with Phoenix Crossland finishing it off for the first points of the half. Broncos 0 - Knights 20. 

46th minute: Brisbane continue to throw plenty at the Knights and Grant Anderson has sprinted to the corner but the Newcastle defence beat him to it and bundled him into touch as he attempted to dive for the line. Broncos 0 - Knights 14.

43rd minute: Brisbane have managed to breakdown the Knights defence but the last pass to Kotoni Staggs travelled forward. They couldn't convert but it's an early warning sign of what could be to come. Broncos 0 - Knights 14. 

Kick-off: We're back for the second half, with Brisbane to have first use of the ball as they look to pull off another comeback. Reece Walsh was in the thick of the action in the opening 40 minutes and he shapes as key to his side's chances. The Broncos have an early attacking chance after Dom Young was penalised for a strip in the opening set. Broncos 0 - Knights 14. 

Half-time: That's half-time on a dramatic 40 minutes of football, with Newcastle jumping out to a 14-point lead. It's the fourth time this year the Knights have kept a clean sheet in the opening half, with Brisbane unable to find a way through their defensive line. The Broncos were dealt an early blow when Adam Reynolds suffered a head knock, while Deine Mariner and Reece Walsh were sent to the sin bin, with Newcastle's Jermaine McEwen also spending 10 minutes in the bin. Broncos 0 - Knights 14.

33rd minute: Newcastle have capitalised on the penalties to extend their lead thanks to a special Francis Manuleleua pass. The back-rower stepped past a Brisbane defender before rifling a 20-metre cutout pass to Greg Marzhew, who strolled over for a simple try. Broncos 0 - Knights 14. 

31st minute: A big let off for Newcastle after Brisbane were penalised for an obstruction. Grant Anderson surged through a yawning gap and reached the try-line before hitting reverse and attempting to give himself up. It was not to be, however, with the referee blowing the penalty. Brisbane then compound the error with another penalty in the ensuing set and Newcastle are on the attack. Broncos 0 - Knights 10.

25th minute: The drama keeps on coming at Suncorp Stadium after a pass to Dom Young was ruled to have travelled forward. Young and Ezra Mam got into a bit of a scuffle, which was inflamed after Jermaine McEwen came charging in. McEwen has been sent to the sin bin along with Reece Walsh, who yanked at Young's hair in the melee. Both sides reduced to 12 men and it's a Brisbane penalty. Broncos 0 - Knights 10. 

24th minute: Newcastle continue to pepper the Broncos line but the hosts are holding on for now. Ezra Mam put a big hit on Kalyn Ponga to shut the Knights fullback down, however it's a Brisbane line drop-out and Pat Carrigan has received a warning for the side's poor discipline after they conceded a string of set restarts. Broncos 0 - Knights 10. 

17th minute: Deine Mariner has returned to the field and Brisbane have done well to limit the damage to just four points. Newcastle made multiple breaks down the right edge but the hosts scrambled well to deny Dom Young. The Knights have another attacking chance, however, after a Reece Walsh half-break resulted in an error. Broncos 0 - Knights 10.

9th minute: Newcastle have instantly capitalised on the extra man, with the Knights immediately attacking down Deine Mariner's edge. Kalyn Ponga was able to beat the rushing defender before passing to Dom Young, who stepped past Reece Walsh for his side's second try of the night. In a double blow for Brisbane, Adam Reynolds has been ruled out for the match following the head knock and Xavier Willison has left the field with a cut that is being patched up. Broncos 0 - Knights 10.

7th minute: More early problems for the Broncos, with the Knights making a break down the left edge. As this is happening, Adam Reynolds was left sprawled on the field following a heavy collision with Greg Marzhew and he has left the field for an HIA. To top it all off, we've got a trip to the Bunker with Deine Mariner potentially obstructing Jermaine McEwen in the race for a grubber. Mariner grabbed the Knight's arm as he looked to scoop up the ball. It's a penalty and 10 minutes in the sin bin for Mariner. Big opportunity for Newcastle to extend their lead. Broncos 0 - Knights 6.

4th minute: It's a dream start for the Knights, who burst out of the gates. A set restart handed the visitors an attacking set and Fletcher Sharpe capitalised, stepping past Adam Reynolds before beating Reece Walsh to score the opening points of the game. Broncos 0 - Knights 6. 

Kick-off: We are underway in front of a big crowd at Suncorp Stadium with both sides desperate to secure two competition points. Brisbane likely need to win their last six games to have a chance of making the finals. The Knights have lost their past three games by a combined five points and are out to overcome the loss of Dylan Brown and Dylan Lucas to season-ending injuries as they maintain their place in the top eight. There was drama in the warm-up with Payne Haas injuring his shoulder but the Broncos prop has had it strapped up and will take his place in the side. Broncos 0 - Knights 0.

Late Mail

Broncos: One late change on gameday, with Gehamat Shibasaki added to the six-man bench in place of Luke Gale. Shibasaki struggled with a leg injury in last week's loss to the Cowboys. Hooker Billy Walters is set to play big minutes after getting through half an hour off the bench last week in his first NRL game since last year's finals. Deine Mariner lines up at centre for just the third time this season having played predominantly on the wing. The shuffle sees Grant Anderson come in on the wing. Prop Preston Riki has had surgery for syndesmosis injury suffered last week so Vaa Semu takes over in the front row.

Knights: One minor change for Newcastle as well, Toby Winter added to the six-man bench in place of Harrison Graham. A huge boost for the Knights with skipper Kalyn Ponga set to return after a week out with a quad injury. Centre Dane Gagai (calf) also returns so Fletcher Hunt slides to the bench. With Dylan Brown (knee) out for the season, Sandon Smith steers the ship at halfback and Fletcher Sharpe is the new five-eighth. Back-rower Jermaine McEwen (hamstring) returns to fill the hole left by Dylan Lucas' season-ending ankle injury.

Panthers v Raiders at Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

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Full-time: The Penrith Panthers have avenged the pain of last year's Miracle of Mudgee and maintained their lead at the top of the table with a commanding 42-18 win. The result sets up a bumper fortnight for the Panthers, who will play the Warriors next week and the Roosters in Round 24. Canberra's grip on a top-eight spot is slipping, with the Raiders unable to keep pace with a suffocating Penrith side tonight. Panthers 42 - Raiders 18.

80th minute: Now we have a late trip to the Bunker with Isaiah Papali'i claiming a try but the on-field referee ruling a double movement. The Bunker agrees and it's no try with just four seconds remaining on the clock. Panthers 42 - Raiders 18. 

80th minute: We've got a late Captain's Challenge after Ethan Sanders was ruled to have dropped the ball. The Raiders argued it went forward, but replays show a knock on and the appeal was quickly dismissed. Panthers 42 - Raiders 18.

78th minute: Penrith have snuffed out any hopes of a Canberra comeback, Nathan Cleary putting Izack Tago through a hole before Isaiah Papali'i had enough momentum to withstand the Zac Hosking tackle and bounce over the line. Panthers 42 - Raiders 18.

75th minute: The clock is working against them but the Raiders are mounting a late comeback. Matt Comeback got on the outside of Paul Alamoti to break through before linking up with Ethan Sanders, Ethan Strange eventually finished it off to cut the deficit and keep Canberra's slim hopes of a comeback alive. Panthers 36 - Raiders 18.

70th minute: The Raiders have scored a special try, with Ethan Strange setting up a Zac Hosking break to put their side on the attack. Penrith scrambled to make the tackle but on the next play the Raiders shifted right, Ethan Sanders tapped the ball over his head, the Panthers continued to scramble to force multiple offloads before Matty Nicholson eventually finished it off. Meanwhile, Daine Laurie has passed his HIA. Panthers 36 - Raiders 12. 

63rd minute: The Raiders had a chance to strike back through an attacking scrum however there was a mix up at the back, with Owen Pattie knocking the ball on as he attempted to pick it up. Meanwhile, Penrith centre Casey McLean has left the field but the officials on the bench have said it's just load management. Panthers 36 - Raiders 6.  

60th minute: Mixed news on the injury front for both sides. Panthers fullback Jaxen Edgar has passed his HIA and will soon return to the field however Canberra's Daine Laurie has been sent from the field for an HIA after the heavy collision with Liam Henry prior to the last try. Tom Starling enters the fray as his replacement. Panthers 36 - Raiders 6

59th minute: The match has become a bit of an arm wrestle, with both teams aiming up in defence and limiting the attacking opportunities for their opponents but Penrith have broken through to extend their lead. Isaah Yeo put Scott  Sorensen through a hole around midfield. The forward was eventually tackled but the Panthers ran the ball on the last and Liam Henry broke out of a Daine Laurie tackle to crash over. Panthers 36 - Raiders 6. 

49th minute: The Panthers are on the attack having withstood the early Raiders onslaught but we've had a brief pause with Jaxen Edgar leaving the field for an HIA. Izack Tago comes on, with Tom Jenkins shifting to fullback. Panthers 30 - Raiders 6.

Kick-off: The second half is underway, with Canberra looking to strike first to spark a comeback. We've seen the Raiders score plenty of points in quick succession this season and they have an early chance after Isaah Yeo spilled the ball in the first set of the second half. Panthers 30 - Raiders 6.

Half-time: The Raiders struck first with an early try but it was all Penrith after that, with Jaxen Edgar scoring in the final minute to make it 30-6 at the break. The Panthers suffocated their opponents to run in five consecutive tries, with halves Nathan Cleary and Jack Cogger pulling the strings. The Raiders did well to hang with their rivals for much of the half, but three tries in the final eight minutes have Penrith in complete control. Panthers 30 - Raiders 6.

37th minute: Tom Jenkins has a second and the Panthers are running rampant in Mudgee. Canberra had a penalty and a chance to attack but turned the ball over on the first tackle. Isaiah Papali'i then made a break to put Penrith on the attack and Jack Cogger produced a pinpoint cross-field kick for Jenkins, who leapt over Xavier Savage to pluck the ball out of the air and score the try. That's his 12th double for the year, level with Ray Preston of the Newtown Jets in 1954 for the most doubles in a season. Panthers 24 - Raiders 6.

32nd minute: Thomas Jenkins has continued his remarkable try-scoring run, crossing for his 27th try of the season. The Penrith winger got the try in motion with a tackle-breaking kick return that put his side on the attack. Jenkins was the beneficiary when Casey McLean sent him over a few plays later. Panthers 18 - Raiders 6.

26th minute: Penrith have lodged a Captain's Challenge after Nathan Cleary claimed he kicked a 40-20. The touch judge ruled out went out before the 20-metre line and replays show the official was correct. Penrith have lost their challenge. Panthers 12 - Raiders 6.

20th minute: We're off to the Bunker after Paul Alamoti appeared to blow a simple try-scoring opportunity. Jack Cogger grubbered the ball into the in-goal, Alamoti attempted to ground it amid heavy pressure from Jed Stuart before Liam Martin dived on the ball. The Bunker is taking plenty of looks at this before ruling it hit Alamoti's leg but missed his arm and awards the try. It's an early double for Martin and Cogger is rewarded for his early kick. Panthers 12 - Raiders 6. 

19th minute: Now it's Penrith's chance to attack after a midfield shift went awry. The Raiders shifted the ball to the right from inside their own half and they found plenty of space but the last pass to Xavier Savage travelled forward. Panthers 6 - Raiders 6. 

15th minute: An attacking opportunity coming up for Canberra after the Panthers made an error near halfway. Penrith had identified space down the right flank and shifted the ball but the last pass sailed into touch and it's now the Raiders chance to strike. Panthers 6 - Raiders 6.

9th minute: Both attacks are on song tonight. The Panthers have hit back after some special Nathan Cleary play. The halfback threw a dummy and fended away Zac Hosking before breaking into the backfield and sending Liam Mrtin over for the try. The positional battle between NSW teammates Cleary and Ethan Strange promises to be fascinating throughout the next 70 minutes. Panthers 6 - Raiders 6.

4th minute: It's a dream start for the Raiders, who take just four minutes to strike first. Captain Joe Tapine got the side on the front foot before Ethan Strange identified Lindsay Smith defending in the centres and set Matt Timoko up for the try. Panthers 0 - Raiders 6. 

Kick-off: We are underway at a sold-out Glen Willow Oval for the sequel of last year's Miracle in Mudgee. Canberra are in red-hot form with four-straight wins, while Penrith sit on top of the table and need a victory to maintain their lead over the second-placed Roosters. The Raiders, meanwhile, are desperate to keep their top-eight hopes alive as they mount a late charge towards the finals. Panthers 0 - Raiders 0.

Match preview

Late Mail

Panthers: Penrith will line up 1-19 after coach Ivan Cleary confirmed his side 90 minutes before kick-off. Dylan Edwards remains sidelined with a shoulder injury so Jaxen Edgar lines up at fullback again in his second career game. Youngster Blaize Talagi has been overlooked after some defensive lapses in recent weeks so Jack Cogger gets the nod to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves.

Raiders: No further changes on gameday after Simi Sasagi dropped out with a hamstring strain in the 24-hour update, his place taken by Seb Kris. Youngster Savelio Tamale has been added to the six-man bench. Owen Pattie is back from suspension to start at hooker so Tom Starling goes back to the bench. Ata Mariota has been named to start in the second row after he was called up late last week to replace Noah Martin (quad). The Raiders have scored 154 points in four consecutive wins.

Titans v Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium

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Fulltime: The Warriors get back on track with a big 42-6 win over the Gold Coast Titans. The visitors were on their game early, full of physically and showcased their speed and willingness to throw the football around. The Titans were cruelled by their own errors, which has been a pattern of their season. They also face a nervous wait to see the injury to Zane Harrison who hobbled from the field late.

77th min: Injury alert - Titans halfback Zane Harrison is assisted from the field with a suspected hamstring injury.

70th min: Another dummy and another try to Te Maire Martin in a moment the Titans defenders would like to forget. They all ate it and left a big gap from him to stroll through untouched. The Titans conceded a line dropout in the lead not - not going short or long - and the Warriors just worked back to attacking space. CHT converts and the score is 42-6. 

64th min: They didn't have to wait too long however, with Te Maire Martin getting over for their next try. Running at the line and dummying out to his right, the Titans are short on numbers there with no Brimson and they chase the ball, allowing him to step back in to score. The opportunity came from a great run down field by centre Ali Leiataua who got them rolling. CHT misses the kick and the score is 36-6. 

57th min: The Warriors fans thought extra numbers pay instant dividends, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad showing a little bit of footwork at the line to run in - however, it is overturned by the Bunker for interference. Score remains 32-6. 

56th min: AJ Brimson is sent to the sin bin for making a tackle without the ball as the Warriors were going on a charge to the line.

Crowd update: 25,181

53rd min: Titans get a line dropout wit DWZ claiming a chasing AJ Brimson pushed him in the back. However, the Bunker disagrees and they lose their challenge. They go short with their kick off, but Titans get the ball.

49th min: Far too easy for the Warriors to add to their tally, with a short ball at the line from Mitch Barnett to Eddie Ieremia-Toeava as the youngster strides on over. What rubs salt into the Gold Coast's wounds is they were looking promising up the other end of the field, only for a lost ball and then conceding a ruck infringement handing the Warriors the momentum. Harris-Tavita gets his fourth conversion of the afternoon and it's 32-6. 

45th min: The Warriors are full of confidence and are happy to throw the ball around and chance their hand with early grubbers, but the Titans have shown some grit to keep them out so far and have even pressured them into an error, with the ball going over the sideline from a risky pass. Score remains 26-6. 

Half-time: The Warriors have been ruthless in the first half, making sure that take every opportunity handed to them to score by the Titans who have tied one hand behind their back with their errors so far. The visitors lead 26-6 and have had 57 percent of the possession with a 90 percent completion rate from 19/21 - while the Titans have a 68 percent completion rate from 13/19. The Gold Coast have made six errors to three and conceded two penalties to one. Across the board, the Warriors have been strong, but Erin Clark is the only forward in the game to have made 100 metres already to add to his kick for a try assist. 

37th min: Another Titans error and another Warriors try is the result. A lost ball in the play-the-ball gives the visitors a scrum and they get to work. Jacob Laban is the man to get the points, just hanging on to a pass as the runs out to the right and gets the ball down. Harris-Tavita's conversion is successful again and it's out to a 26-6 lead to the Warriors. 

29th min: The Warriors have their big lead again with a remarkable try. Erin Clark - yes, the lock - puts in a kick to the left and AKP who brings it down and flings a pass out to Leka Halasima, who is playing centre today. He runs in from the edge to bring the ball around closer to the posts and scores. CHT slots this one for a 20-6 lead. 

26th min: An unsuccessful captain's challenge from the Titans and they have no more challenge left.

24th min: The home side are on the board, with an exuberant Arama Hau celebrating running to score the opening try for his side. Steaming into a short ball from Jayden Campbell, Hau just runs through the hole that opened up in front of him and the Titans have some joy. Jayden Campbell converts and it's 14-6 to the Warriors.  

17th min: Another try to the Warriors, a long-range effort with Khan-Pereira making a break down the left and running away, passing back inside for Chanel Harris-Tavita to finish the job and score under the posts. He has made his attempt easy for himself and slots it for a 14-0 lead.

11th min: This time, the Warriors find success on the far left corner, with former Titans Alofiana Khan-Pereira diving over to score his first of the afternoon. The Warriors have been able to roll up the field relatively unhindered and are making their chances count when in the opposition 10. Harris-Tavita's difficult attempt misses again and it's 8-0 to the Warriors. 

7th min: Well, as it happens, it is Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who scores the first try, going over in the right corner with the Warriors making the most of some ill-discipline from the Titans who piggybacked them in their attacking zone. The conversion attempt from Chanel Harris-Tavita is unsuccessful. Score is 4-0.

3rd min: No points but plenty happening early. The Titans were looking promising in attack, but an errant pass in their 10 is intercepted by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who streaks away. He is brough down by a good tackle from Keano Kini, before Warriors lose momentum when they are on the attack with a lost ball from Kurt Capewell getting up to play the ball. 

Kick off: The Titans kick off the get us started. 

Before kick off: A sold-out crowd at Cbus Super Stadium, with plenty of people around the precinct early. In the lead-up to the Titans v Warriors match on the field, the Gold Coast and Dolphins NRLQ Under 21 sides met, with Dolphins securing a 42-22 win. 

Match preview

Late Mail

Titans: AJ Brimson (concussion) returns in the centres, with Jaylan de Groot coming into the 19 in the final squad update at the expense of Lachlan Ilias. Bench forward Kurt Morrin got through Friday's captain's run without incident and is good to go after missing the past two games due to a leg infection. Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will play his 100th game for the Titans to go with the 27 he racked up at the Storm. 

Warriors: Adam Pompey has been demoted to the bench with Leka Halasima to start in the centres in the only game-day squad change. Taine Tuaupiki will miss at least one game with a foot sprain, so Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad steps in at fullback as he did in the second half last week. Bench forward Demitric Vaimauga dropped out of the squad on Friday due to injury with Riley Price joining the six-man interchange. Rising back-rower Eddie Ieremia-Toeava also joins the bench.