Knights smash Penrith at
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Round 25
Newcastle Knights 40 v Penrith Panthers 4
at EnergyAustralia Stadium
Referee: Steven Clark

Match Summary:
Newcastle has blown away any chance Penrith had of securing a semi-finals berth after running out 40-4 winners at EnergyAustralia Stadium tonight.

After starting the game well with a try to powerful winger Michael Gordon in the 5th minute, Penrith failed to register another single point as the Newcastle forwards dominated and the backs ran amok.

Leading 22-4 at halftime through two early tries to Matt Gidley followed by further scores to David Seage (35th minute) and Luke Davico right on half time, Newcastle were well in command at the break.

No doubt comments of Penrith?s stunning revival against the Sharks reverberated around the Knight?s changing rooms whilst cutting up the oranges, but it clearly didn?t worry the home side.

Quinn scored in the 52nd minute to take a 26-4 lead before Mullen, Perry and Carmont all added tries to the tally with a range of kickers making the fulltime score 40-4.

This victory is a good sign for the Knight who have won two without captain Andrew Johns and now face a bit of a dilemma in who will partner him in the halves after Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen both played strongly. They enjoy a week off with the bye in Round 26 and seem certain to have booked a home semi-final.

The Panthers season comes to a close even after they were given an opportunity by Canberra?s loss to sneak back into the top 8. They play host to the Bulldogs next week and will find the going a bit tough even at home.


Scorers:
Newcastle Knights: 40
Tries: George Carmont, Matthew Gidley(2), Josh Perry, Anthony Quinn, David Seage, Jarrod Mullen, Luke Davico
Goals: Daniel Abraham 2/4, Kurt Gidley 1/3, Reegan Tanner 1/1
Penrith Panthers: 4
Tries: Michael Gordon

By the Clock:
Vital match here at EnergyAustralia Stadium where the Panthers will be looking to cause an upset to keep their faint semi final hopes alve. Meanwhile, Newcastle are trying to put two wins together without Andrew Johns and try to earn themselves a home final.

Changes: Craig Gower is out for Penrith with a knee injury, his replacement is Craig Trindall. Newcastle are as per the program.

1 min: NEWS And we're underway in the first half.

5 min: TRY Penrith Panthers
Penrith open the scoring through powerful winger Michael Gordon down the flanks. He's having a good season. Campbell fails to convert but the Panthers are on the board.
Panthers 4-0

13 min: NEWS Penrith getting on top early through their forwards who are making more yards than the Knights. The Panthers have also broken the line a couple of times.

14 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
The Knights hit back with a try to Matt Gidley out wide. Conversion unsuccessful.
4 all.

21 min: NEWS Both sides getting into the contest here with some heavy contact up front.

28 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Gidley bags his second for the night as the Knights move ahead for the first time in the game. Tanner converts.
Knights 10-4

35 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Newcastle putting Penrith to the sword here with another try this time to rookie David Seage. Abraham adds the extras.
Knights 16-4

38 min: NEWS The home side dominating here with superior forward runs and good field position off the back of it.

39 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Newcastle steam ahead with another try to forward Luke Davico. Abraham converts and they look pretty good right now.
Knights 22-4

40 min: NEWS Newcastle holding a solid 18-point lead at the break but there's no guarantees here after Penrith's Houdini effort last week. Should be an entertaining second half as the Panthers look to stay in contention for the finals.

41 min: NEWS And we're underway in the second half.

46 min: NEWS Both teams working themselves into the second half here.

51 min: NEWS Still no change to the score, a few errors creeping into the game here.

52 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
The home team push further ahead with a try to nuggetty winger Anthony Quinn. Conversion unsuccessful.
Knights 26-4

60 min: NEWS Still chugging along up here at Marathon Stadium. Both teams fighting hard but the Knights are looking good at this stage.

63 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Replacement half Jarrod Mullen streaks away to post another try as the Knights snuff out any hope Penrith had of creating another miracle comeback. Conversion unsuccessful
Knights 30-4

70 min: NEWS No change to the score, Newcastle just grinding away up here.

75 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
The tries keep coming with Josh Perry barging over the line to enhance Newcastle's differential. Kurt Gidley converts.
Knights 36-4

79 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Newcastle seal victory with a try to fleet-footed centre George Carmont. It's ended up a bit of a shellacking up here. Conversion unsuccessful.
Knights 40-4
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Jarrod Mullen
2 - Matthew Gidley
1 - Luke Davico
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