Tigers win as Newcastle drought
continues

Fulltime score: Round 10 Wests Tigers 32 v Newcastle Knights 16

Match summary: Wests Tigers have broken a four-match losing streak, defeating a winless Newcastle Knights side by 32-16 at EnergyAustralia Stadium today.

Missing a number of key players, including playmakers Kurt Gidley and Steve Witt, the Knights have crashed to their ninth successive loss of the year - the worst start from a first grade team in over 35 years.

In 1969, Newtown lost their first nine matches of the season before picking up a draw in the 10th round. They eventually scored their first win in their 11th start. The 'Bluebags' improved enough to narrowly avoid the wooden spoon in what was a dismal season for the inner-city club.

If history is anything to go on, the Knights will be battling it out in similar circumstances as they still search for their elusive first-up win.

With a strong wind at their backs in the first half, the Knights were unable to make an initial impression, conceding first when Tigers' centre Paul Whatuira crossed after just five minutes.

The home side struck back 10 minutes later through Milton Thaiday to make it 4-all. The Knights were probably unlucky not to score minutes earlier when Steve Simpson was ruled to have made a double movement by video referee Chris Ward.

The Tigers then stepped up a gear, making numerous breaks before winger Matthew Rieck scored the first of his two tries and after 20 minutes, the visitors were 8-4 in front.

Three minutes later, back rower Liam Fulton scored under the posts to put the Tigers 10 points in front.

The Tigers were denied a try in the 31st minute and at half time, they held a handy 14-4 lead.

With the rain falling, the Knights had all the work to do but started tremendously when winger Anthony Quinn flew high to pull down a bomb, scoring next to the posts.

The Knights continued to show plenty of grit, but it was the Tigers who scored next when Pat Richards crossed following a sensational passage of play when a flying Rieck was cut down inches short of the line in the previous ruck.

The Knights however, were not to be outdone. A clever kick from veteran centre Matt Gidley found Quinn out wide, the winger picking up his second try and narrowing the gap to just four points.

But the Tigers held firm, scoring the next two tries and running out deserving winners.

The Newcastle Knights' assignment doesn't get any easier as they take on the St George Illawarra Dragons next Saturday night at EnergyAustralia Stadium. The Wests Tigers play at home, taking on the Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown next Sunday.

Scorers: NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 16 Tries: Quinn 2, Thaiday Goals: Campbell 2/3 WESTS TIGERS 32 Tries: Rieck 2, Whatuira 2, Fulton, Richards Goals: Hodgson 4/6

EnergyAustralia Stadium Crowd: 15,881 Referee: Tony Archer Half time: Tigers 8-4

Live commentary: 0 min: A windy day in Newcastle. Referee blows time on and the Knights get first use of the football, with a strong breeze at their backs.

5 min: TRY - Tigers. Centre Paul Whatuira runs onto a deft grubber kick from Scott Prince. Wide and difficult conversion from Brett Hodgson is unsuccessful. Tigers 4-0

9 min: NEWS - Newcastle forward Craig Smith is held up over the line by Paul Whatuira and Scott Prince. No try.

10 min: NO TRY - Knights. Video ref Chris Ward rules a double movement against Steve Simpson. Knights unlucky as it could have gone either way.

14 min: NEWS - Tigers put on a great attacking movement with loads of players handling the ball for over 50 metres. But it comes unstuck on the final pass. In the following set, the Knights make good use of the wind and manage a 40/20 and are back on the attack. Still 4-0 to the Tigers.

15 min: TRY - Knights. Milton Thaiday scores in the right corner, He survives video ref scrutiny after coming close to the corner post before touching down. Sideline conversion attempt from Dane Campbell is unsuccessful. 4-all

20 min: TRY - Tigers. Winger Matthew Rieck scores after Benji Marshall sets up play on the right flank. Rieck steps infield and scores in good position. Conversion attempt from Hodgson is missed despite being well within his range. Tigers 8-4

23 min: TRY - Tigers Liam Fulton, in support, scores under the posts after Scott Prince opens them up from 40 metres out. Hodgson conversion is OK. Tigers 14-4

31 min: NO TRY - Tigers denied after the video ref rules a knock on. The Knights off the hook after being under plenty of pressure.

HALF TIME: Tigers 14 - Knights 4 Despite having to run into a strong breeze in the first half, the Tigers have been getting the better of their opponents. Possession and field position is fairly even. Scott Prince and Brett Hodgson are stand outs in the backs while Liam Fulton and Anthony Laffranchi are working hard up front. For the Knights, Steve Simpson has been their best up front. But they won't have the assistance of the wind in the second half and are 10 points behind. To make matters worse, rain is falling and getting heavier. The Knights have it all to do now.

Second half underway...

42 min: TRY - Knights. Anthony Quinn scores after the ball is hoicked up into the heavens - a great kick which in difficult conditions was always going to put pressure on the defending receiver. Taken beautifully by Quinn who then forced his way over. Conversion from Campbell from almost in front is OK. Tigers 14-10

46 min: TRY - Tigers. Pat Richards scores. Follows a sensational passage of play with Tigers' winger Matthew Rieck making a huge break down the right flank, only to be cut down by Matt Gidley centremetres from the line. In the next ruck, they spread it the left side where Richards is on the end of an overlap. He then improves his position and scores near the posts. Conversion Hodgson. Tigers 20-10

52 min: TRY - Knights. Quinn scores in the left corner after Matt Gidley grubbers the ball off the left foot to perfection. The Tigers going to sleep and the Knights aren't done with yet. Sideline conversion from Campbell is a ripper. Tigers 20-16

66 min: TRY - Tigers. Matthew Rieck backs up to score in good position following a following a centre-field line-break on the Tigers' side of half way. Knights have beeen making a go of it but this try might take the wind out of their sails. There's still time though. Conversion Hodsgon. Tigers 26-16

73 min: NEWS - Time is running out for the Knights as David Seage looks to be injured, adding to the Knights' woes who have a number of players missing already.

78 min: TRY - Tigers, Whatuira scores from close range and 15 metres in from touch. Conversion successful. Tigers 32-16

FULL TIME: Tigers 32 - Knights 16 The Knights have lost their first nine matches, the worst start to the season for a first grade team since 1969.

A soild win to the Tigers who have broken a four match losing streak. Liam Fulton and Anthony Laffranchi working hard up front and had plenty of support from Robert Farah, Ben Galea and John Skandalis. Up the back, Brett Hodgson, Paul Whatuira and Matthew Rieck were their best. For the Knights, it was always going to be a tough ask with so mmany personnel missing, including Kurt Gidley. They tried hard and weren't disgraced. But they've got into the habit of losing and it showed as they were unable to come back when it counted. Danny Buderus and Steve Simpson worked hard in a losing team while Matt Gidley and Anthony Quinn were the best of the Newcastle backs.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - A Laffranchi (Tigers) 2 - P Whatuira (Tigers) 1 - S Simpson (Knights) -----------------------------------------