|
 The
St George Illawarra Dragons have defeated
a courageous 12-man Knights outfit by 24-22
in Newcastle tonight.
The
Knights had to contend with forward Clint
Newton being sent off in the 7th minute after
he delivered a rising elbow to the face of
Dragons forward Ashton Sims. Referee Tim Mander
had little hesitation sending Newton from
the field while Sims was taken off with blood
dripping from a suspect broken jaw. Fortunately,
for all parties concerned, Sims was able to
return in the second half.
Dragons’
rookie winger Nick Youngquest scored soon
after and at 4-0, and playing against 12 men,
the St George side looked specials to go on
with the job. But the Knights lifted to dominate
the ruck, putting the match favourites on
the back foot.
Newcastle
had the Dragons further rattled following
a try to Steve Witt in the 26th minute; and
at half time, the home side were in front
6-4.
The
Knights went further ahead just after the
break when Matt Gidley crashed through to
score under the posts and at 12-4; an upset
was on the cards.
But
it was Saints halfback Mathew Head who then
stepped up to the crease, scoring two tries
in the space of five minutes to grab a 16-12
lead. The Dragons went to 20-12 following
a second try to Nick Youngquest.
With
Saints seemingly dominating play just wide
of the ruck, the Newcastle side struck back
hard with a try to Anthony Quinn in the 71st
minute, bringing them within four points of
the visitors.
The
Dragons appeared to have finally put the Knights
away when Matt Cooper backed up to score following
a Ben Hornby line break [pictured], providing
Saints with a 24-16 lead with just minutes
remaining.
But
the Knights never gave up with Kurt Gidley
scoring a try in the final minute and earning
his side one more shot at the Dragons’
line. Desperate defence and the fulltime siren
finally giving Saints a hard earned victory.
The
loss sees the Knights out of contention for
2004, while Dragons move into 4th position
on the ladder pending Saturday night's Panthers
vs Cowboys clash.
EnergyAustralia
Stadium, Crowd: 18,411
Referee: Tim Mander
KNIGHTS
22
Tries: Witt, M Gidley, K Gidley
Goals: K Gidley 3/5
defeated by
DRAGONS 24
Tries: Head 2, Youngquest 2, Cooper
Goals: Riddell 0/1, Head 2/4
By
the clock:
0
min: A chilly night in Newcastle with the
chance of showers on a slow track.
Both sides get ready to come onto the field.
Newcastle will be without Matt Parsons, Josh
Perry and Andrew Price, all out injured.
For the Dragons, Lance Thompson looks to be
making a return.
Kickoff!
7
min: NEWS - Clint Newton (Knights) SENT OFF
for putting an elbow into the face of Ashton
Sims (Dragons) who is forced from the field.
9
min: TRY - Dragons.
Nick Youngquest scores out wide. Saints completing
their sets and being rewarded.
Conversion attempt from Mark Riddell unsuccessful.
Dragons 4-0
15
min: NEWS - Still 4-0 to Saints who are enjoying
a greater share of possession. The Knights
missing more than a few tackles just wide
of the ruck.
20
min: NEWS - Still 4-0 to the Dragons. The
Knights working their way back.
25
min: NEWS - The Knights with more possession
are cutting loose on occasion and busting
the line. Saints now missing a few tackles.
Still 4-0 to the Dragons.
26
min: TRY - Knights.
Steve Witt scores in good position.
Conversion Kurt Gidley OK.
Knights 6-4
35
min: NEWS - Still 6-4 in favour of the Knights
who are now enjoying more possession and completing
their sets. But Saints still finding gaps
when they do get the ball.
40
min: NEWS - Penalty goal attempt from Kurt
Gidley dips and then hits the uprights. No
goal.
HALF
TIME: Following some early raids from St George,
the 12-man Knights have struck back with some
solid play to regain some control of the ruck.
Score: Knights 6-4
Second
half underway...
45
min: TRY - Knights.
Matt Gidley scores. Conversion Kurt Gidley.
Knights 12-4
53
min: TRY - Dragons.
Mathew Head scores and converts.
Knights 12-10
58
min: TRY - Dragons.
Head gets a double and converts again, a ripper
from the sideline.
Dragons back in front 16-12
60
min: TRY - Dragons.
Youngquest gets a double now as Saints are
starting to run over the top of a tiring defence.
Wide conversion attempt from Head is unsuccessful.
Dragons 20-12
65
min: NEWS - Still 20-12 in favour of Saints
who are now donminating the ruck.
70
min: TRY - Knights.
Anthony Quinn scores to bring the Knights
back into the match.
Conversion K Gidley unsuccessful.
Dragons 20-16
73
min: TRY - Dragons.
Matt Cooper scores for the visitors and may
have put an end to what has been a valiant
charge from the Knights.
Conversion unsuccessful from Head.
Dragons 24-16
80
min: TRY - Knights.
Kurt Gidley scores and converts.
Dragons 24-22
FULL
TIME - Dragons have come away with the two
points, winning 24-22 over the Newcastle Knights.
FULL
TIME SUMMARY: For the Knights, they battled
hard with just 12 men and played above themselves.
Standouts included Danny Buderus who tackled
all night long as well as Ben Kennedy who
was often seen charging up the middle and
then backing up in defence.
For Saints, their hardest worker was Brent
Kite who easily topped the workload list for
the victors. Meanwhile Ashton Sims recovered
from a heavy knock to the jaw and returned
with some great play and offloads.
In the backs, Ben Hornby was a standout as
he chimed into the backline making numerous
line breaks. The turning point of the match
however was provided by halfback Mathew Head
who stepped up and scored a double when it
mattered most.
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - B Kite (Dragons)
2 - M Head (Dragons)
1 - D Buderus (Knights)
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