Knights rain on Broncos parade

The Newcastle Knights have spoiled the Broncos home coming party with a comprehensive 32-22 victory at the newly renovated Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos opened ANZ Stadium in similar fashion back in 1993 when they lost their opening game to the lowly Parramatta Eels.

The Broncos started like a house on fire and led 12-2 just before the break when Anthony Quinn scored. Newcastle then came out in the second half and dominated the Broncos in every aspect with Andrew Johns, Ben Kennedy and Danny Buderus playing leading roles in the Knights rousing victory.

Two late tries to the Broncos gave the scoreline some credibility but make no mistake, the Knights were deserving victors and the broncos must now stew on the loss for two weeks as they have the bye next week with many Broncos players expected to feature in the Maroons side for Origin 1.

The Knights will also have a fair representation and their win today snaps a three match losing streak that threatened to derail the Knights season.

The win was the firt victory over the Broncos in Queensland.

Leagueunlimited player of the year points:

3 ? Andrew Johns 2 ? Danny Buderus 1 ? Ben Kennedy

Scorers: BRONCOS 22 Tries: Berrigan, Civoniceva, Carlaw, Kelly Goals: De vere 3/4 KNIGHTS 32 Tries: Quinn x 2, Tahu x 2, Gidley Goals: Johns 6/7

By the clock:

7th min: PENALTY GOAL - Knights. Johns scores the first points at Suncorp Stadium after Tonie Carroll is placed on report for a lifting tackle. Knights 2-0.

12th min: Shaun Berrigan drags Robbie O'Davis across the line to score the Broncos first try. Conversion successful. Broncos 6-2.

17th min: PENALTY GOAL - Knights.Johns edges the Knights closer with another penalty shot, 25 metres out, directly in front. Broncos 6-4.

22nd min: TRY - Petero Civoniceva scores after three consecutive sets of six on the Newcastle line. Conversion successful. Broncos 12-4.

30th min: Strong defence from both sides sees no change in the scoreline. Broncos 12-4.

36th min: No try - Knights. Video ref Eddie Ward rules no try to the Knights Anthony Quinn after being offside from an Andrew Johns bomb. Broncos 12-4.

40th min: TRY - Knights. Anthony Quinn scores out wide right on the stroke of half time. Touchline conversion successful. Broncos 12-10.

HALF TIME: Brisbane hold a slender 12-10 half time lead after dominating much of the first half. Newcastle are still very much in the game and have done well to hang in there with the Broncos.

43rd min: TRY - Knights. Anthony Quinn intercepts a Ben Ikin pass to race away and score next to the posts to extend the Knights lead. Conversion successful. Knights 16-12.

46th min: TRY - Knights. Tahu scores in the corner after Buderus makes a great break upfield and int eh next play JOhns throws a cut out pass to send Tahu over in the corner. Conversion successful. Knights 20-12.

55th min: Still no change in the score but the Knights are applying plenty of pressure and another try would see the Knights spoil the party for the Broncos. Still plenty of time to go but the Broncos need to sut their error rate to be a chance of winning.

59th min: TRY - Knights. Matt Gidley scores in the corner off a run around movement by Timana Tahu. Conversion successful. Knights 26-12.

66th min: TRY - Knights. Kurt Gidley was held up and from the ensuing scrum, the ball goes wide to Timana Tahu and he scores out wide to seal the match for the Knights. Conversion successful. Knights 32-12.

76th min: TRY - Broncos.Consolation try to Dane Carlaw to add a little respectability to the scoreline. Conversion unsuccessful. Knights 32-16.

80th min: TRY - Broncos. Stuart Kelly scores in the last minute of play after Tallis sends him over under the posts. Conversion successful. Knights 32-22.

FULL TIME: The Newcastle Knights have spoiled the Broncos homecoming party with a comprehensive 32-22 victory. Andrew Johns engineered a magnificent victory for the Knights as the Broncos fans leave Suncorp Stadium disappointed.