Knights hang on against Eels

The Newcastle Knights have fumbled their way to a 14-6 victory over the Parramatta Eels in front of a 24,518 crowd at Hunter Stadium.

In a match filled with errors, silly penalties and poorly directed kicks, the Knights looked in control early, with Akuilla Uate opening up the scoring in only the sixth minute.

The Knights were given another opportunity to go on the attack minutes later courtesy of a penalty against the Eels.

Junior Sau almost extended his side's lead in the 11th minute but was held up over the line, however, Jarrod Mullen ensured his side would get another crack with a perfectly weighted kick.

The home side were then awarded another penalty and this time chose to take the two. 

The highlights of the first half for the home side ended there, as they struggled to complete their set and conceded a series of silly penalties.

The visitors finally made the Knights' pay for their errors in the 35th minutes, as Tim Mannah took advantage of the tiring Knights' defense. 

After the break, both sides were guilty of the same level of disrespect for the ball, however a Mullen 40/20 in the 52nd minute provided his side with the spark they needed, with Uate claiming his double only two minutes later. 

The next passage of play saw both teams with several opportunities to add to their totals, however a spate of errors and some desperate defense ensured the score remained unchanged.

Match Details
Newcastle Knights 14 defeated Parramatta Eels 6
National Rugby League - Round 6 - Sunday April 8, 2012 3:00pm
Venue: Hunter Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer and Tony De Las Heras
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton
Touch Judges: Steve Carrall and Nick Beashel
Crowd: 24,518
Halftime: Newcastle Knights 8 Parramatta Eels 6

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Jarrod Mullen
2 Points - Danny Buderus
1 Point - Jarryd Hayne

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (14)
Tries: Akuila Uate (2)
Conversions: Tyrone Roberts (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Tyrone Roberts (1/1)

PARRAMATTA EELS (6)
Tries: Tim Mannah
Conversions: Chris Sandow (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Join the conversation! Our forums are open for discussion 24/7 on the greatest game of all!

If you love Twitter, you'll love @LeagueUnlimited! Today's official NRL match hashtag is #NRLnewpar Good afternoon NRL fans and welcome to Hunter Stadium where the Newcastle Knights take on the Parramatta Eels.
Both coaches have announced their changes for the match. For the Knights Joel Edwards moves into the starting Lock position with Neville Costigan shifting to the bench. For the Eel Esikelli Tonga is out and will be replaced in the centers by Ryan Morgan.
1 min: Tony Archer blows time on to bring the match underway.
3 min: Jarrod Mullen is pinned for a forward pass on halfway and Parramatta will get some quality possession.
4 min: Chris Sandow grubbers into the in goal but James McManus cleans it up int in goal and runs back into the field of play.
5 min: Willie Tonga loses the ball 30 out from his own line and the Knights will go on the attack.
7 min: TRY
TRY! Danny Buderus spreads the ball out to the short side to Junior Sau who attracts three defenders as he charges at the line a few meters out and offloads to Akuilla Uate who scores. Tyrone Roberts converts from the sideline.
Newcastle Knights 6-0
10 min: The Knights will get a piggyback up the field after the Eels are penalised.
11 min: Sau is held up above the line on the fourth.
11 min: Jarrod Mullen goes to the air with cross field kick and Parramatta are forced to tap it dead and the Knights will get a line dropout.
12 min: Newcastle receive a penalty late in the tackle count and the Knights will take the two.
13 min: PENALTY GOAL
Roberts kicks the penalty goal.
Newcastle Knights 8-0
17 min: The Eels will get a line drop out after Darius Boyd is forced to bat the ball dead after an attempted 40/20 from Sandow.
18 min: Jarryd Hayne knocks the ball on the last and the Knights are off the hook. Sau was away after picking up the loose ball but was called back by Archer.
20 min: Tim Mannah loses the ball 30 out from the Knights' line on the fourth.
21 min: Neville Costigan knocks on 40 out from his own line.
22 min: The Eels get a penalty.
22 min: Newcastle concede another penalty, Eels are only five out.
23 min: Tonga loses the ball only a few meters out from the Knights' line.
24 min: Timana Tahu coughs up the ball only 10 out from his own line.
25 min: Sandow grubbers into the in-goal on the last and it goes dead, the Knights survive.
27 min: Forward pass by Joel Edwards after the Knights run it on the last 30 out from the Eels' line.
32 min: Mannah knocks on 45 out from the Knights' line.
33 min: Adam Cuthbertson knocks on 35 out from his own line and the Eels will go on the attack.
33 min: The Eels receive a penalty 20 out from the Knights' line.
34 min: The Eels will get six again after Tahu tries to collect a loose ball and knocks it on.
35 min: TRY
TRY! Mannah redeems himself for the dropped ball by taking three defenders over the line with him to score. Sandow's conversion is successful.
Newcastle Knights 8-6
37 min: Newcastle receive a penalty 40 out from their own line.
38 min: Zeb Taia knocks on a few meters out from the line. Eels are off the hook.
39 min: The Knights will get a scrum on halfway after Hayne passes to the sideline.
40 min: Mullen goes to the air on the last and Tio takes it comfortably as the half time hooter sounds.
41 min: Tony De Las Heras blows time on to bring the second half underway.
43 min: The Eels will get a line dropout after Hayne busts them up up the middle and Sandows bombs into the in goal. Tahu diffuses it but landed in the in goal after jumping from the field of play.
44 min: Sio knocks on trying to keep it alive on the last.
45 min: The Knights receive a penalty 30 out from their own line.
52 min: Mullen kicks a 40/20 and that's exactly what the Knights need, they have been on the back foot in the last five minutes.
55 min: TRY
TRY! Boyd find Sau who finds Uate who claims his double. Roberts add the extras.
Newcastle Knights 14-6
56 min: Taia knocks on 40 out from his own line.
45 min: Snowden knocks on a few meters into the Eels' territory.
64 min: Cheyse Blair knocks on on the last as the Eels try to keep it alive on the last.
65 min: Edwards knocks on on halfway.
66 min: The Eels will get a line drop out.
66 min: The Knights are penalised for being in front of the kicker during the line drop out.
67 min: Ben Roberts is pinned for a forward pass and then the Eels are penalised for back chat.
69 min: The Knights will get a scrum 35 out from Eels' line.
70 min: Hilder goes to the air on the last and Sandow diffuses it.
72 min: The Eels will get a scrum 30 out from their own line.
74 min: The Knights are pinned for a forward pass 25 out from their own line.
75 min: Moi Moi is held up over the line on the fourth.
76 min: Hayne goes to the air on the last and McManus diffuses it.
76 min: The Knights receive a penalty.
78 min: Darius Boyd attempts to chip and chase from his own 30 on play one and the ball goes out on halfway.
79 min: Ryan Morgan knocks on 30 out from the Knights' try line.
80 min: Roberts is tackled 35 out from his own line as the full time siren sounds.