Knights claim third-straight win after Eels boilover

NRL
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Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights

THE last time Newcastle won three straight, Jesus was running around in the halves for Bethlehem.

While it might be far too early to call Brock Lamb the Knights' modern-day saviour, he was again outstanding as the Knights caused the upset of the season on the way to a 29-10 defeat of Parramatta at ANZ Stadium.

Five weeks ago, Lamb was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons as the Knights suffered a heartbreaking 20-18 loss to Canterbury at Belmore Sports Ground.

While the loss wasn't his fault, it was a kick which ricocheted and led to a try that gave the Dogs a sniff in the dying moments.

But that match has proven to be a watershed moment in Lamb's first grade career and he hasn't looked back.

It could have destroyed him, but the 19-year-old has learnt from his mistakes and continues to develop.

"It's a pretty good feeling around the camp at the moment and it's showing," he told Fox Sports following the game.

"The last two weeks have been crazy and we're playing with belief and confidence.

"It's been a tough old year but it was important to finish the year strong and that's what we've done."

Coach Nathan Brown paid tribute to his side who registered three-straight wins for the first time in three years.

"I think that's probably our best win since I've been here," he said.

Former Eels winger Ken Sio crossed for a double as the Knights stunned their more-fancied top-four rivals in a display many have become accustomed to seeing from the Novocastrians, especially in the second half of the season.

The Knights raced out to an early 12-0 lead through tries to Sio and lock forward Mitch Barnett, but errors crept in and the Eels made them pay to close to 12-10 at the break.

But Brown's boys showed plenty of heart, enthusiasm and a willingness to get down and dirty in the second 40 minutes to keep their opponents scoreless and revive hopes of offloading the dreaded wooden spoon.

A Lamb pass to second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon put the visitors out by eight points in the 53rd minute.

Lamb then took the line on and burrowed over next to the posts to extend the lead to 14 points in the 60th minue.

It came after a controversial passage of play where it appeared winger Ken Sio was held, but was allowed to offload.

Sio then ensured the Knights climbed off the bottom of the table - albeit momentarily for now - when he crossed for his second try in the 66th minute.

Lamb put the icing on the cake with a 77th minute field goal.

Next week the Knights host the Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium from 3pm on Saturday while the Eels will hope to bounce back with a clash against Gold Coast next Thursday.

Parramatta Eels 10 - Newcastle Knights 29

Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Crowd: 13141
Halftime Score: Parramatta Eels 10 Newcastle Knights 12

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Ken Sio
2 points - Dane Gagai
1 points - Brock Lamb

PARRAMATTA EELS (10)
Tries: Michael Jennings, Will Smith
Field Goals:
Conversions: Mitchell Moses (1/2)
Penalty Goals:

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (29)
Tries: Ken Sio (2), Mitchell Barnett, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Brock Lamb
Field Goals: Brock Lamb (1/1)
Conversions: Trent Hodkinson (4/5)
Penalty Goals:


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