NRL.com Wrap | Knights outlasted by Warriors in Hamilton

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Full-time: The Warriors have secured a tense eight-point victory over the Knights in front of a big home crowd in Hamilton. Newcastle led by two at the break but Harata Butler and Mele Hufanga dominated with ball in hand in the second half to help their side finish over the top of the Knights. Tysha Ikenasio scored a hat-trick, while Apii Nicholls secured the win with a late try. Warriors 22 - Knights 14.

69th minute: We've got a late challenge after the Knights were ruled to have dropped the ball. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala attempted to pick up a bouncing ball and replays show she had control of the ball at all times. It's a successful challenge and Newcastle retain possession. Warriors 22 - Knights 14.

68th minute: The Warriors have just made their first error of the second half to open the door for Newcastle ever so slightly. The Knights must score twice in the last two minutes but they've got another leg up with a penalty to help them out of their own end. Warriors 22 - Knights 14.

62nd minute: Apii Nicholls came up with a crucial defensive play a minute ago and now she's come up with a potentially match-sealing play in attack to extend her side's lead. Mele Hufanga made a break to put the Warriors on the attack before Nicholls grubbered into the in-goal and won the race to the ball to score the try. Warriors 22 - Knights 14. 

61st minute: Fane Finau has burst through the Warriors defensive line but fullback Apii Nicholls came up with a crucial play to tackle the Knights back-rower. Newcastle had one more play to work with, however Georgia Roache was caught with the ball on the last and the chance goes begging. Warriors 18 - Knights 14.

57th minute: The Warriors are back in front. Stacey Waaka has the try but Gayle Broughton deserves all the praise, the halfback throwing a dummy near halfway and slicing straight through. The Knights scrambled well to deny Apii Nicholls, but the Warriors instantly shifted the ball to the right and Waaka finished it off. Warriors 18 - Knights 14. 

52nd minute: We are all locked up in Hamilton, with Kirra Dibb nailing a penalty goal to level the scores at 14-all. Both sides have looked dangerous in attack so expect plenty more twists and turns in this contest. Warriors 14 - Knights 14.

42nd minute: The Warriors have dominated the opening exchanges of the second half and they've been rewarded with the first points of the half. Tysha Ikenasio finished another right-edge shift, the winger crossing for her third of the night. Warriors 14 - Knights 12. 

Kick-off: We are underway for the second half, with the Warriors making a break off the opening kick-off. The early field position gives the hosts a chance to hit the front but Patricia Maliepo was held up when she attempted to burrow over from dummy half on the last tackle. Warriors 10 - Knights 12. 

Half-time: An important defensive effort in the final minute of the half, with the Warriors peppering the Newcastle line. The visitors held firm to maintain their two-point lead heading into the break. The Warriors led 10-0 after just five minutes thanks to a Tysha Ikenasio double but the Knights slowly worked their way into the game before Kirra Dibb took control, setting up one try and scoring another. Warriors 10 - Knights 12.

31st minute: Kirra Dibb set up the Knights' first try and now she's scored one of her own. Warriors fullback Apii Nicholls attempted an attacking kick, however she kicked it into Dibb, who scooped up the loose ball and ran 70 metres to score her side's second. Warriors 10 - Knights 12. 

27th minute: Newcastle have gone up a gear and continue to make metres in and around the ruck. Kirra Dibb has orchestrated another break to put her side on the attack, but the kick on the last tackle is too deep and Payton Takimoana catches the bomb in the in-goal to earn a seven-tackle set. Warriors 10 - Knights 6.

21st minute: The Knights have hit back, with Kirra Dibb producing some brilliant work to send Simone Karpani over. The halfback ran to the line, through a dummy and sliced straight through. The prop loomed up on the inside in support and was rewarded with a try. Warriors 10 - Knights 6.

16th minute: The Warriors appear to have their third, Gayle Broughton putting Shakira Baker through a hole with an excellent short ball. Stacey Waaka put the hosts on the attack with a break down the right edge, before Baker charged through and appeared to bobble the ball in her effort to get it down. The Bunker has taken a close look at the replay and ruled Baker dropped the ball before grounding it. Warriors 10 - Knights 0.

12th minute: The Warriors are scoring points on one end and now they're saving tries at the other. Newcastle had their first attacking opportunity of the game, but the Warriors defensive pressure ultimately led to an error. Warriors 10 - Knights 0.

7th minute: Tysha Ikenasio has a double and the Warriors' dream start continues. It's a very similar play to the first try, with Patricia Meliepo getting a big shift started with an excellent pass from dummy half. Warriors 10 - Knights 0.

2nd minute: It hasn't taken long for the Warriors to turn field position into points, with Tysha Ikenasio scoring in the corner. The hosts shifted the ball from the left to the right flank before Ikenasio produced a good finish to beat the cover defence to the try line. Warriors 4 - Knights 0.

Kick-off: We've had a moving pre-game ceremony led by Warriors forward Harata Butler, with the players engaging in a hongi, the traditional Māori greeting. It's a dream start for the Warriors, with Newcastle forward Amelia Pasikala spilling the ball on the opening carry. The hosts are looking to rebound from last week's loss to the Titans. Newcastle had a big win over the Eels and continue to build towards the finals despite the loss of multiple key players to injury. Warriors 0 - Knights 0.

Late Mail

Warriors: No further changes on game day after a change to the bench in the 24-hour update, with Jasmin Huriwai moving up and Capri Paekau shifting to the reserves. Earlier, prop Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala and outside back Lavinia Tauhalaliku were listed in the reserves as they looked to make their return to the field this weekend. The trio's return would prompt a reshuffle, with Huriwai likely to replace Patricia Maliepo at dummy half. The Warriors have scored 74 points in back-to-back wins in New Zealand.

Knights: A big reshuffle for the Knights on game day with Cheyelle Robins-Reti coming in from the reserves to start on the wing. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala moves to the back-row as a result, with Jules Kirkpatrick reverting to 18th player. Finally, Amelia Pasikala has been promoted to the starting side, with prop Simone Karpani shifting to the interchange. 

Sharks v Titans at Ocean Protect Stadium

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Full-time: That's full time, with the Titans closing out an impressive 24-10 victory over the Sharks. It's Gold Coast's fifth-straight win, equalling a club record and a major statement as we enter the second half of the season. The Sharks fought hard but they couldn't find a way through the Titans' defensive line in the second half. Sharks 10 - Titans 24. 

61st minute: The Titans have been relentless in defence and they've just produced another big stop. The Sharks have had a few chances to score in this second half but they haven't been able to find a way through, with Quincy Dodd tackled on the last on this occasion. Sharks 10 - Titans 24.

55th minute: It didn't take Gold Coast long to capitalise, with Sienna Ibrahim finishing off a left shift to score her second try on debut. The Sharks have lost right winger Georgia Ravics, with China Polata forced to defend in that position and the Titans have made the most of the restructure. Sharks 10 - Titans 24. 

54th minute: The Titans will have another chance to extend their lead after Jaime Chapman was brought down in a dangerous tackle. Manilita Takapautolo is on report and the visitors have an attacking set of six. Sharks 10 - Titans 20.

47th minute: Sienna Lofipo has a double after Lily Kolc went straight through the middle of the Sharks defence. Kolc spotted the markers were out of position and darted from dummy half to burst into the backfield, Lofipo was looming in support and had just enough speed to get to the try line. Sharks 10 - Titans 20. 

44th minute: The past five minutes have been an arm wrestle but the Titans have started to take control and have put up an attacking bomb. The visitors regather the ball, however there's an obstruction in the scramble to keep the ball alive on the last tackle and Cronulla receive a pressure-relieving penalty. Sharks 10 - Titans 14.

Kick-off: We are back for the second half and it's a disappointing start for the Sharks. A late offload and an error by Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu hand the Titans an early chance to extend their lead. Sharks 10 - Titans 14. 

Half-time: That's time on an entertaining half of football, with both sides producing some exciting attack and the lead changing hands multiple times. The Sharks hit the front with five minutes left in the half but it was the Titans who had the final say, with Sienna Lofipo putting her side in front with a late try. Sharks 10 - Titans 14. 

35th minute: We've got a late Captain's Challenge after Lauren Brown was found to have made an error while fielding the kick-off. The halfback bobbled the ball before kicking it backwards before it hit the ground. Because it was an intentional kick, there was no knock on and it's a successful challenge with 20 seconds left on the clock. Sharks 10 - Titans 14.

34th minute: It hasn't taken long for Gold Coast to regain the ascendancy, with the visitors benefiting from a penalty before breaking through. Tegan Levi came close on one play before Sienna Lofipo crashed over on the next tackle to score between the posts. Sharks 10 - Titans 14.

30th minute: The Titans have controlled the past few minutes but the Sharks have scored against the run of play to regain the lead. Quincy Dodd got the ball rolling when she darted from dummy half before linking up with Jacinta Carter for a line break. Cronulla quickly shifted to the right, Madison Higgins-Ashby produced a superb pass in the face of rushing defence and Georgia Ravics beat multiple players to score the try. Sharks 10 - Titans 8.

25th minute: We've had a second debutant score in her first NRLW match, with Sienna Ibrahim scoring for the Titans. Halfback Lauren Brown set the play in motion as the visitors attacked to the left and the players outside her did the rest to put Gold Coast on top. Sharks 6 - Titans 8.

19th minute: They were denied a minute ago, but there's no stopping Phoenix-Raine Hippi, who scores untouched in the corner. Five-eighth Teagan Levi ran the ball on the last, drawing in Tiana Penitani Gray to create the overlap and the Titans had the skills to catch and pass and send Hippi over. In another boost for the visitors, Indie Bostock is now back from the sin bin. Sharks 6 - Titans 4. 

18th minute: We're off to the Bunker as the Titans look to hit straight back, with Fanua Rimoni attempting to crash over from close-range. The opportunity came after the Sharks made an error on the kick-off, to hand the visitors possession. The Cronulla defenders managed to prevent Rimoni from grounding the ball on the line, but Gold Coast are still on the attack. Sharks 6 - Titans 0.

16th minute: Milla Elaro has a try on debut and it's all thanks to five-eighth Georgia Hannaway. The Sharks playmaker produced an exceptional cut-out pass to an open Elaro, who fought through a desperate Teagan Levi tackle to get the ball down and open the scoring. Hannaway then nailed the sideline conversion to put her side up six. Sharks 6 - Titans 0.

10th minute: Big moment in this game and Tiana Penitani Gray is at the centre of it. The Sharks centre got on the outside of Phoenix-Raine Hippi before drawing a penalty for a slow play the ball. The skipper took a quick tap and was grabbed by Indie Bostock, who has been sent to the sin bin. The Titans forced an error from the ensuing set but they have another nine minutes without the winger. Sharks 0 - Titans 0. 

3rd minute: It's appears to be a dream start for Cronulla but the Bunker has stepped in. A Georgia Hannaway bomb led to uncertainty for the Titans back three, with fullback Lily Patston letting it bounce. Sharks skipper Tiana Penitani Gray was chasing through, got a dream bounce and grounded the ball. However replays show the centre was in front of the kicker and the try is taken off the board. Sharks 0 - Titans 0.

Kick-off: We are underway at Ocean Protect Stadium, with the Titans chasing a fifth-straight victory. It's been a tough start to the year for the Sharks and they are fighting a bulging casualty ward but they still have plenty of class across the park as they look to get their season back on track. Sharks 0 - Titans 0. 

Late Mail

Sharks: No changes on game day after halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu dropped out on Friday with an ankle sprain. Madison Ashby step into the halves and China Polata slides to the centres. Winger Milla Elaro comes in for her NRLW debut as does bench hooker Koffi Brookfield. With Polata shifting to centre, Jaydika Tafua joins the bench. The loss of Najvada George to a leg injury has seen Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu come into the starting side at lock, while interchange forward Rhiannon Byers has also been ruled out with a knee injury. 

Titans: The Titans line up 1-17 with no late changes. The loss of Sarina Masaga (concussion) has triggered a minor backline reshuffle, with Phoenix-Raine Hippi shifting to the centres and Sienna Ibrahim coming on to the wing for her NRLW debut. Lily Kolc is on track to make her return from illness and replaces Enah Desic, who was ruled out with a concussion. The Titans have the chance to equal a club record five consecutive wins. 

Bulldogs v Cowboys at Belmore Sports Ground

Full-time: The Bulldogs got a scare but did enough to hold on for their first ever NRLW win at Belmore Sports Ground.

68 min: Tallara Bamblett explodes into space and picks up Margot Vella who gets an offload away but it goes loose and the Bulldogs clean it up.

64 min: The Cowboys are pinged for a knock-on but they throw in a captain's challenge and come up trumps with the bunker ruling the ball travelled backwards.

61 min: The Cowboys are surging back big time as their middle forwards continue to make huge metres and scatter defenders with Essay Banu offloading for Tiana Rafstrand-Smith to make it two tries in two minutes. That's a second career double for Raftstrand-Smith and the Cowboys are back within two. Bulldogs 28-26

59 min: Alisha Ford gets out of dummy half and Fran Goldthorp pushes up through the middle in support before sending the ball on to Tiana Raftstrand-Smith who carries defenders over the line for a try. Rosie Kelly converts. Bulldogs 28-20

57 min: The Bulldogs are on the attack again but Leilani Wilson is penalised for pushing Jasmine Peters in the back as the Cowboys centre tracked back to try and tidy up a kick.

55 min: Hope Millard looks to barge over from close range as she did in the first half but the Cowboys hold on.

50 min: Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa puts the Bulldogs on the front foot with a strong burst before the ball is shifted to the left and Monica Tagoai delivers the final pass for Elizabeth MacGregor to complete her double. Tayla Preston fails to convert. Bulldogs 28-14

45 min: Ashley Marsters has her first NRLW try with a powerhouse charge from 15 metres out as she carries several defenders over the line. Rosie Kelly misses the conversion. Bulldogs 24-14.

43 min: Tamika Jones is penalised and placed on report for a hair pull.

41 min: Jasmine Peters shows strength to brush through Elizabeth MacGregor and send the ball on for Margot Vella to make it 13 career tries in 21 games. Rosie Kelly fails to convert. Bulldogs 24-10

40 min: Latisha Smythe is placed on report for a hip drop.

38 min: Simina Lokotui makes it a double after Andie Robinson and Daynah Nankivell combine to send the winger. Tayla Preston fails to convert. Bulldogs 24-6

Tamika terrific: Bulldogs back-rower Tamika Jones stepped up big time in the opening 35 with eight runs for 104 metres and two tackle breaks while Hope Millard exploded off the bench with 125 run metres and four tackle breaks in 26 minutes of game time.

Half-time: The Bulldogs are in total control at Belmore despite playing one down for 10 minutes when Daynah Nankivell was sin binned. The Bulldogs piled on four tries 10 minutes and ran for 978 metres compared to the Cowboys' 494.

32 min: Andie Robinson joins in on the left edge and picks up Monica Tagoai who delivers the final pass for Elizabeth MacGregor to cross in the left-hand corner as the Cowboys are stripped for numbers. Bulldogs 20-6

28 min: The Bulldogs go to the right and Andie Robinson slices between Abigail Roache and Charlize Lloyd-Phillips to make it three tries in six minutes for the Bulldogs. Tayla Preston can't convert. Bulldogs 16-6

27 min: A high tackle penalty against Alisha Foord hands the Bulldogs more field position.

25 min: The home side hit the front after Latisha Smythe is dragged down just short before Evelyn Roberts gets into dummy half and picks up a charging Hope Millard is too strong from close range. Tayla Preston converts. Bulldogs 12-6

22 min: The Bulldogs hit back after Simina Lokotui finishes off some slick work on the right edge by Tayla Preston, Leilani Wilson and Daynah Nankivell. That makes it five tries for the season for Lokotui. The conversion from wide out is a beauty by Preston. 6-6

20 min: Charlize Lloyd-Phillips takes a bomb on the full just short of the line but she has the ball stolen from her by Simina Lokotui who is bundled into touch but the Cowboys are penalised for a second effort.

19 min: We are back to 13 on 13 as Daynah Nankivell returns to the field.

17 min: A mistake by Hope Millard gives the Cowboys an opportunity and they pounce with Tallisha Harden finding space in the middle and offloading for Fran Goldthrorp to sprint 45 metres for the game's opening try. Rosie Kelly adds the extras. Cowboys 6-0

13 min: Ash Quinlan takes off out of dummy half and makes good metres for the Bulldogs before Essay Banu stops her in her tracks with an absolute bell-ringer.

11 min: Emma Manzelmann is caught under a pile of players as the Cowboys scramble to try and stop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa from close range. Manzelmann hobbles off with what appears to be an ankle injury.

10 min: A mistake by Essay Banu sees the Cowboys squander their first shot at points with the one-player advantage.

9 min: Daynah Nankivell is sent to the sin bin for a hip drop on Abigail Roache whose leg is bent back awkwardly in the tackle.

8 min: The Bulldogs are again caught on the last as the ball dies with Tayla Preston.

7 min: Emma Manzelmann goes way too deep with her kick on the last and Elizabeth MacGregor takes it easily in-goal for a seven-tackle set.

5 min: Tayla Preston fails to find touch after a penalty and the Cowboys have good field position.

3 min: The Bulldogs elect to run the ball on the last and Monca Tagoai is brought down five metres out. The Cowboys then get a piggyback out of trouble with a high tackle penalty against Giovanna Suani.

Late Mail

Bulldogs: No further changes on game day after Pani Hopoate (knee) dropped out on Friday, replaced in the front row by Giovanna Suani. The new face on the bench is Paea Uilou. Centre Monica Tagaoi has scored a try in four of her five games this season.

Cowboys: The Cowboys have made late changes to the bench with Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell and Tiana Raftstrand-Smith coming in for Lily Dick and Lydia Turua-Quedley. Former rugby star Ashley Marsters is set to start in the front row for the first time as coach Ricky Henry rejigs his forward pack. Bree Chester shifts from lock to the second row, with Makenzie Weale moving from prop to lock. The Cowboys have won their last three games in Sydney. 

Numbers Game

• The Bulldogs were beaten 56-24 by the Raiders in their only previous match at Belmore Sports Ground.
• The Cowboys have won their last three games in Sydney.
• Bulldogs centre Monica Tagoai has scored a try in four of her five games this season.
• The Cowboys are chasing back-to-back wins for the first time this season.