article from this weeks big league
Dureau hero for Knights
NEWCASTLE have leapfrogged their way back into second spot on the Premier League ladder, with their eyes firmly set on the minor premiership.
The Bulldogs have faltered to their second-straight loss and are now just a point ahead of the in-form Knights.
Penrith lost their top-two spot, going down to St George Illawarra 28-18.
Newcastle however, maintained their composure to topple Newtown 19-18. A field goal to halfback Scott Dureau sealed victory for the Knights, who are clearly benefiting from the flow-on-effect of their star Jersey Flegg team last year. Captain Riley Brown and centre Paul Franze both showed their experience and class to post tries and lead the Knights to victory.
For last year’s runners-up Newtown, it will now be a tough battle for them to quality for the top eight.
The Jets led 12-0 at half-time and were never headed until Dureau’s 45 metre monster field goal with just four minutes left on the clock put the Knights in front. The heartbreaking loss brought back memories of how they lost last year’s grand final – Parramatta kicked a field goal in golden point extra time.
Returning to his favoured position of hooker, George Ndaira was far and away Newtown’s best and is pushing hard for first grade selection.
St George Illawarra continued their solid finish to the season, by conquering the high-flying Panthers.
Second-rower and captain Ryan Powell scored twice for the Dragons, leading them to victory over the competition dark-horses.
Former NRL player Ronald Prince has made a comeback to grade football this year, and is in good form, also scoring a try.
Meanwhile, Balmain Ryde made their top-four intentions clear in their impressive victory over the competition leading Bulldogs.
Hooker Lewis Brown scored twice for the Tigers, while centre Ben Jeffery showed he is more than capable of adding further first grade games to his tally if given the chance.
