Craig Cauchi reviews the Sunday afternoon match at Newcastle between the Knights and Dragons. Here’s how the game went.
SCOREBOARD
Knights 13
Tries: Gehamat Shibasaki (9), Josh King (46)
Goals: Tex Hoy (11), Mitch Barnett (48)
One Point Field Goal: Kurt Mann (39)
Dragons 22
Tries: Trent Merrin (31), Tariq Sims (51, 59), Brayden Wiliame (66)
Goals: Zac Lomax (33, 53, 61)
Player of the Year Points
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Tariq Sims (Dragons)
2 pts – Blake Lawrie (Dragons)
1 pt – Jayden Brailey (Knights)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
It was a fiery start to the match with the Knights penalised from an altercation at a scrum. The Dragons went over from the next set but the play was called back after the bunker found an error from Josh Kerr. From the next set Mitchell Pearce’s fifth tackle kick was dropped by Cody Ramsey with Gehamat Shibasaki collecting the ball and scoring the first try. The middle of the half was plagued with missed opportunities to both sides and a pec tear to Mitchell Pearce. The Dragons scored in the final ten minutes of the half with Trent Merrin collecting a dropped ball and fooling the cover defence with an excellent dummy. The Knights rounded out the first half with a field goal to Kurt Mann.
HALF-TIME: Newcastle Knights 7 St George Illawarra Dragons 6
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
The Knights extended their lead with Josh King charging onto the ball and busting through poor tackles to crash over. The Dragons aimed up in defence and won themselves good field position. Replacement half Adam Clune set up the next try, sliding across field and hitting Tariq Sims back through the middle. The barnstorming second rower couldn’t be stopped as he scored under the posts. A sickening blow to Kurt Mann ended his match and David Klemmer went down with an injured knee. Klemmer’s injury led to a stoppage on the last and off of that kick, Tariq Sims charged it down and scored his second for the match. The Dragons extended their lead with a try to Brayden Wiliame while the Knights started to show the effects of the injuries. The Knights pressed late and were a chance if not for a forward pass called on Mitch Burnett. The Dragons defence held on to seal their third straight victory.
FULL-TIME: Newcastle Knights 13 St George Illawarra Dragons 22
Injuries
Mitchell Pearce (Knights) Pec Tear
Tex Hoy (Knights) Hamstring
Kurt Mann (Knights) HIA
David Klemmer (Knights) Knee
Match Review Committee
Jacob Saifiti (Knights) – Grade 1 Shoulder Charge – Early Guilty Plea 1 match ban.
Andrew McCullough (Dragons) – Grade 1 Contrary Conduct – Early Guilty Plea $1150 fine.
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