A good crowd of 17,621 at Newcastle, witnessed an absorbing game, with the Dragons defeated by the Knights 24-16, their first win in four games over the merged club.

The first half saw the ball going from end to end in the first 20 minutes before Ryles (pictured) for the Dragons scored the first try of the match.
 
And then again, the Knights did not manage to get across the line, until the 36th minute. Just going to show what a tight game it was.

The half time lead was 8-6 to the Knights, a fair indication of the half.

The second half was very much the same as the first half, with end to end stuff, and tit for tat in the scoring. Not to mention, penalties, with referee Simpkins happy to blow the whistle.

Stand-out players were Bailey for the Dragons, Buderus and Kurt Gidley for the Knights

A very tense end to a brilliant game. If this is the way teams are going to play going into the final, then happily we have a lot of great rugby league ahead of us over the next few weeks.

7:30PM, Friday 02 August 2002
EnergyAustralia Stadium - Crowd: 17,621
Referee: P Simpkins

Newcastle Knights 24 (Tries: M Gidley, Tahu x2,Woolnough. Goals: Johns 4/5) 
defeated
St George Illawarra Dragons 16 (Tries: Ryles, Gasnier x2. Goals: Gorrell 1/1, Riddell 1/2)

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