The Newcastle Knights have produced a determined effort to upset the Melbourne Storm 26-18 in front of a passionate Newcastle crowd.
Result
Newcastle Knights 26
Tries: Dominic Young (16), Bradman Best (33), Greg Marzhew (35), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (38), Mat Croker (45)
Goals: Kalyn Ponga (34, 46, 75)
Melbourne Storm 18
Tries: Nick Meaney (3), Trent Loiero (7), Justin Olam (52)
Goals: Nick Meaney (4, 8, 54)
Report
The Knights welcomed the Storm to McDonald-Jones Stadium looking to keep their winning form alive. It was a fast start for the Storm, when Nick Meaney scooped up a loose pass and ran 60 metres to score the first try. Another try soon followed, when Trent Loiero scored off a short pass from Harry Grant to setup an early 12-0 lead.
As a result, the Knights needed to respond and they did. Quick hands created an overlap for Dominic Young to score in the corner. That put a spring in the Knights’ step as they began to find gaps in the Storm defence. As they fought on, tempers began to flare leading up to halftime. The result was a short ball for Bradman Best to burst through the line and grab a try.
In the following set, Tariq Sims was sin-binned for a high shot on Jackson Hastings. In response, the Knights took the lead at the break with quick tries to Greg Marzhew and Lachlan Fitzgibbon.
After halftime, the Knights continued to dominate with Sims in the bin. A grubber kick from Phoenix Crossland setup Mat Croker for a try, extending the lead to 12 points. Sims finally returned to the field, but that didn’t slow the Knights. Tyson Gamble nailed a 40/20 to keep the pressure on the Storm. They couldn’t turn pressure into points however, as the Storm escaped and flipped the script.
Forcing an error out of the Knights, Justin Olam crashed over for a try. That got the Storm back within a converted try. Inside the final 10 minutes, the Knights got a decisive penalty right in front to push the lead to eight points. Ultimately, that would be enough to secure a hard-fought 26-18 upset over the Storm.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)
2 – Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
1 – Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
