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Despite being caned in the penalty count, having two players sin-binned and another sent off, the Newcastle Knights kept their undefeated record intact with a hard fought 26-22 victory over the Canberra Raiders at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night. The Knights were without five of their NSW under 19 representatives as well as halfback Scott Dureau, who was added to the Premier League team, but were still good enough, albeit just, to defeat the Raiders.
The Knights first try came after just seven minutes when fullback Sam Wooden crossed out wide. Wooden also assumed the goalkicking duties with regular kickers Luke Walsh and Scott Dureau out of the side. He was unsuccessful with his first attempt from near the eastern sideline. Blockbusting second rower Larry Taufua extended the Knights lead to eight when he carried several Raiders players over the line as he slammed the ball down. Again Wooden was unsuccessful with his conversion but the Knights had an early lead. Four minutes later, interchange forward Warren Schillings extended the home teams advantage out to fourteen when he took advantage of a towering bomb, which was spilt by the Canberra fullback, to dive over beside the posts. Wooden had no trouble adding the extras and a similar 52-10 score line, which happened the last time these two teams met, was on the cards. With only a few minutes remaining in the first half, Knights winger Frank Paranthoiene continued on his recent try-scoring feat, crossing in the western corner. Wooden added the extras from the sideline to send the Knights, who were missing almost half of their regular side to the break leading 20-0. Kade Snowden was pushed back to Flegg for this game, and was his usual blockbusting self, taking several Canberra players to put him on the ground.
With the match safely in the Knights hands, the Raiders, to have any chance of a revival in the second half, needed to score first. Chris Borgese did just that only a few minutes into the second half. Winger Brent Crisp successfully converted to cut the deficit to fourteen. This appeared to spark the Knights into gear and when Wooden crossed for his double and converted his own try, the margin was back out to twenty. The Knights threatened to run away with the game, before some puzzling high tackle decisions against the Knights invited Canberra back into the game. Raiders front rower Jay Lasscock charged over under the posts ten minutes into the second half and again Crisp converted, and the score was 26-12. For the next ten minutes, aided by a mounting penalty count, the Raiders had most of the ball in good field position. This took its toll and Raiders five-eight Matt Wallace scored his side’s third try of the half, and after Crisp converted, the Raiders were back to within 8 points. With 18 minutes on the clock, an unlikely come-from-behind victory appeared a possibility when Knights hooker and captain Terence Seu Seu was sin-binned for back chatting referee Daniel Oultram. The Raiders took full advantage of having an extra man, when Crisp scored out wide, Canberra had fought back to 26-22 and the Knights first loss of the season appeared to be more likely. This set up a thrilling final six minutes, where the Knights defended their line like men possessed. The Knights hung on, but only just to win 26-22. An all-in-brawl erupted after the final siren, which was bound to happen after both teams were niggling each other.
For the Knights, halfback Matthew Sharp filled in admirably for Luke Walsh and Simon Allen was also strong. The Knights will look to welcome back their NSW under 19 representatives next week when they take on the fourth placed Dragons on Friday night.
The Knights first try came after just seven minutes when fullback Sam Wooden crossed out wide. Wooden also assumed the goalkicking duties with regular kickers Luke Walsh and Scott Dureau out of the side. He was unsuccessful with his first attempt from near the eastern sideline. Blockbusting second rower Larry Taufua extended the Knights lead to eight when he carried several Raiders players over the line as he slammed the ball down. Again Wooden was unsuccessful with his conversion but the Knights had an early lead. Four minutes later, interchange forward Warren Schillings extended the home teams advantage out to fourteen when he took advantage of a towering bomb, which was spilt by the Canberra fullback, to dive over beside the posts. Wooden had no trouble adding the extras and a similar 52-10 score line, which happened the last time these two teams met, was on the cards. With only a few minutes remaining in the first half, Knights winger Frank Paranthoiene continued on his recent try-scoring feat, crossing in the western corner. Wooden added the extras from the sideline to send the Knights, who were missing almost half of their regular side to the break leading 20-0. Kade Snowden was pushed back to Flegg for this game, and was his usual blockbusting self, taking several Canberra players to put him on the ground.
With the match safely in the Knights hands, the Raiders, to have any chance of a revival in the second half, needed to score first. Chris Borgese did just that only a few minutes into the second half. Winger Brent Crisp successfully converted to cut the deficit to fourteen. This appeared to spark the Knights into gear and when Wooden crossed for his double and converted his own try, the margin was back out to twenty. The Knights threatened to run away with the game, before some puzzling high tackle decisions against the Knights invited Canberra back into the game. Raiders front rower Jay Lasscock charged over under the posts ten minutes into the second half and again Crisp converted, and the score was 26-12. For the next ten minutes, aided by a mounting penalty count, the Raiders had most of the ball in good field position. This took its toll and Raiders five-eight Matt Wallace scored his side’s third try of the half, and after Crisp converted, the Raiders were back to within 8 points. With 18 minutes on the clock, an unlikely come-from-behind victory appeared a possibility when Knights hooker and captain Terence Seu Seu was sin-binned for back chatting referee Daniel Oultram. The Raiders took full advantage of having an extra man, when Crisp scored out wide, Canberra had fought back to 26-22 and the Knights first loss of the season appeared to be more likely. This set up a thrilling final six minutes, where the Knights defended their line like men possessed. The Knights hung on, but only just to win 26-22. An all-in-brawl erupted after the final siren, which was bound to happen after both teams were niggling each other.
For the Knights, halfback Matthew Sharp filled in admirably for Luke Walsh and Simon Allen was also strong. The Knights will look to welcome back their NSW under 19 representatives next week when they take on the fourth placed Dragons on Friday night.
