Knights Junior sides face Penrith
Author : Newcastle Knights
Pathways Report: Junior sides face early tests against Penrith
In this week’s pathways report, we take a look at the nib Newcastle Knights pathways teams in the SG Ball Cup, Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup and Harold Matthews Cup competitions.
The three junior rep sides travelled down to Windsor Sports Complex on Saturday to take on the Penrith Panthers.
Coming off all last start, Round 1 wins, the teams were looking to make it two from two to start their respective campaigns.
See how each team fared:
* Note: Our NSW Women’s Premiership side are in action tonight against the Wentworthville Magpies kicking off at 7pm.
SG Ball Cup – Knights 12-22 Panthers
Our SG Ball side took on reigning Under 19’s premiers, the Penrith Panthers, down in Windsor on Saturday.
In a tough, close battle, Penrith would come away with a 10-point victory.
The Panthers would strike first in the fourth minute before scoring a second nine minutes later.
Ethan Ferguson brought the Knights to within four, posting a four-pointer after quick hands down the left-edge found the centre 22 minutes into the contest.
In the second half, Penrith would post first points after Riley Pollard stepped through to score under the posts eight minutes in.
Penrith would grind it out having over 61% of possession to the Knights 39%.
Pollard would have a second six minutes from full-time to assure the result for the Panthers.
In a late consolation try for the Knights, Ferguson would score his second but the team would concede their first defeat of the campaign.
The SG Ball Cup team will be back in action for Round 3 this Saturday at home at St Johns Oval, Charlestown against the Bulldogs.
Tarsha Gale Cup – Knights 18-8 Panthers
Our Tarsha Gale Cup team have made it back-to-back wins to start the campaign with a 10-point victory over Penrith.
The side were off to a brilliant start when Sophie Wilson crashed over two minutes into the game.
Lilly McNamara made it two tries in as many games scoring the team’s second with a clever finish on the right wing, plus converted her own try to take the side out to a 12-point lead at half-time.
The Panthers would claw their way back into the contest with two tries after half-time through Kirby Maslin.
With four minutes to play and ahead by four, a huge run from forward Wilson set up a quick play-the-ball for Leah Ollerton, and the dummy-half made her way to the line for the match sealer.
McNamara converted to make it a 100% record with the boot and seal a 18-8 win for the Knights.
The team will take on the Bulldogs next start, returning home next Saturday at St Johns Oval Charlestown.
Game seating in Style – Undercover Seating
Harold Matthews Cup – Knights 16-46 Panthers
After a promising Round 1 result, our Harold Matthews Cup team have gone down by 30-points to the Penrith Panthers in the second round.
Penrith were fast out of the blocks with three tries inside the opening 20 minutes.
Callan Winter continued his try-scoring spree from last round showcasing his speed on the 25th minute mark to finish a move started on the Knights 30-metre line.
Penrith would take a 16-6 lead into the change of ends.
The home side would again start fast with another four tries within 14 minutes of the start of the second half.
Winter would grab his second 13 minutes from time after a great team move before Fletcher O’Doherty scored the Knights fourth with seven minutes remaining.
However, the Panthers would take the two points scoring an eighth try with three minutes to play.
Our Harold Matthews side will look to bounce back when they play the Bulldogs next Saturday at St Johns Oval, Charlestown.
