Souths wound the clock back to 2014 in a fast, free flowing victory against the Knights 36-18 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Bunnies were on fire from their very first set, when a lovely pass from Walker put Johnston through a yawning gap. Johnston then linked up with Robert Jennings who scored in the left corner after just 2 minutes. Reynolds converted.
Souths backed up with another try straight after. After the Knights were penalised for being offside, Souths stormed towards the Knights line, before Walker decided to go himself, employed some slick shuffling before reaching out to score. Reynolds again added the extras.
Five minutes later and the Knights finally responded after a great run by Kenny-Dowall. On the next play the Knights swung the ball right. Watson straightened the defence before getting a pass away to Mata'utia, with the quick catch, draw and pass sent SKD over in the corner for a try. Sio was unable to convert from touch.
After both sides received plenty of back to back sets, but failed to do anything with the possession, Souths finally scored ended the rot when Reynolds saw the Knights left edge defence was well up and in., He threw a great long pass out to Graham who scored a simple try in the right corner. Reynolds couldn't convert.
The Knights then did what they've done best all year, fightback late in the half. With 4 minutes left before the break when Mata'utia slipped through the sliding tackle by a retreating Inglis before reaching out to score on the right edge. Sio again failed to convert.
Right on the half time siren, the Knights crossed again when they cracked open a huge can of razzle dazzle. They kept the ball alive on the left side before quickly swinging it to the right with some great quick long passing to send Kenny-Dowall over for his second try. Ponga resumed the goal kicking duties but he too failed to convert from touch.
Souths started the second half as they did the first, with an early try, after Reynolds' kick was spilled by Sio and Gagai cleaned up to score an easy try. Reynolds converted from touch.
Damien Cook then scored a great solo try when he took a trademark scoot from dummy half, stepping through the defensive line and running away to score. Reynolds slotted the easy conversion. Reynolds then kicked two penalty goals over the next ten minutes.
Then that man Ponga struck! Ponga took to the line and committed two defenders before dishing a great ball to Fitzgibbon who burst through a little gap and goes over for a try. Ponga then converted. The Knights though couldn't score again. A late try for Souths sealed the game when Johnston got Inglis 1 on 1 with the defence. Inglis beat his man and scored out wide. Reynolds conversion went under the cross bar. Souths with a commanding victory.
Newcastle are at home again next round when they host the Panthers, while South Sydney are at home to the Dragons.