Full Time
80:00
3:00pm Sat March 14, 2020
Round 1 - McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal - Crowd: 10239
80min

That's all she wrote. Newcastle comfortable victors in the opening round.

79min

Play slowly winding down, the Warriors have peppered the Knights late on but the home side's defence has held strong.

69min

No try, held up

69min

TIme off with a Bunker review for a possible Knights try to Connor Watson.

64min

The Warriors' decision is vindicated with the Captain's Challenge successful and they will feed the scrum instead of Newcastle.

63min

TIme off with a Captain's Challenge by the Warriors for an in-play call.

62min

They didn't and now Newcastle are up on the Warriors' goalline, banging down the door...

58min

Warriors penalty puts them squarely inside Newcastle's 20m. Can they crack the goalline?

57min

Put simply, the Warriors just aren't looking likely. Tough afternoon for the men from across the ditch.

56min

Conversion: Knights
Kicked by Kalyn Ponga.

Ponga converts his own try and the lead is now twenty.

Knights lead Knights 20 - 0 Warriors
55min

Try: Knights
Scored by Kalyn Ponga. Kick to come.

Ponga gets a superb bounce off a Pearce kick and scores to the left of the posts.

Knights lead Knights 18 - 0 Warriors
49min

Penalty Goal: Knights
Kicked by Kalyn Ponga.

Easy as you like for the Knights' fullback and the lead is 14 points.

Knights lead Knights 14 - 0 Warriors
48min

RTS getting the talking-to from Perenara after another run of penalties against the Warriors. Ponga to go for two again.

44min

Penalty Goal: Knights
Kicked by Kalyn Ponga.

Ponga knocks over an easy penalty goal to make the lead a full two converted tries.

Knights lead Knights 12 - 0 Warriors
41min

Back underway.

40min

Halftime at McDonald Jones Stadium with the Knights ahead by ten points.

32min

A few back to back penalties for the Warriors and now they're looking strong. No points as yet though...

30min

CHT back on and miraculously the Warriors haven't conceded points. Meanwhile, debutants Eliesa Katoa and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown are now on for the visitors!

20min

CHT gets his marching orders with his side penalised 8 times already and he cops the brunt of it.

19min

Conversion: Knights
Attempted by Kalyn Ponga.

Windy and rainy and no good for goalkicking. It swings wide despite being struck nicely.

Knights lead Knights 10 - 0 Warriors
18min

Try: Knights
Scored by Edrick Lee. Kick to come.

Lee goes over untouched on the left flank after a Ponga kick finds its way back to the Knights and the overlap is easy.

Knights lead Knights 10 - 0 Warriors
17min

Plenty of penalties for Newcastle but only one try to show for it in wet conditions so far.

14min

Warriors concede a penalty as Newcastle are coming back from their own end, giving the hosts another solid chance at attacking footy.

10min

Conversion: Knights
Kicked by Kalyn Ponga.

Ponga makes no mistake from beside the posts.

Knights lead Knights 6 - 0 Warriors
9min

Try: Knights
Scored by Daniel Saifiti. Kick to come.

Saifiti crashes over the for the first try of the afternoon!

Knights lead Knights 4 - 0 Warriors
1min

Game on at McDonald Jones!

Game four of the NRL season underway shortly at a damp McDonald Jones Stadium - together with Coronavirus the enthusiasm has been dampened somewhat but there's still plenty of excitement about another fresh start for Newcastle.

Referees & scorers:

Referee: Henry Perenara, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski

Touch Judges: Kasey Badger, Nick Morel

Video Referee: Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (20)
Tries: Daniel Saifiti, Kalyn Ponga, Edrick Lee
Field Goals:
Conversions: Kalyn Ponga (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Kalyn Ponga (2/2)

WARRIORS (0)
Tries:
Field Goals:
Conversions:
Penalty Goals: