Roosters pinch victory over Knights

The Roosters have moved four points clear of the foot of the table with a late 20-17 victory over the Knights in wet conditions in Newcastle tonight. The Knights led 12-10 at half time.

The Knights opened the scoring in only the fourth minute after the ball was sent wide to Adam MacDougall who powered his way over the line. The sideline conversion from Kurt Gidley put the Knights up 6-0.

The Roosters levelled after 15 minutes after David Shillington crashed over from short range, despite Knights protests that he had been held up long enough before grounding the ball.

It only took three minutes for the Knights to strike back care of a spectacular Cooper Vuna try. Gidley grubbered across field to a flying Vuna who dived across the try line.

The Roosters responded with a breathtaking try, following a Soliola bust right up the middle they kept the ball alive and ultimately Joel Monaghan scored in the corner. Fitzgibbon was unable to convert and the Knights held a 12-10 lead.

The Roosters took the lead for the first time eight minutes into the second half, with Lopini Paea crashing over from an Anasta short pass.

Five minutes short of the hour mark, the Knights levelled the game through Cooper Vuna