Match Centre

That's full time and the Knights triumph 18-16 over the Wests Tigers!

Newcastle Knights 18-16

The Tigers make a half break and throw everything at the Knights but they knock it on! Is that the game??

Newcastle Knights 18-16

Tigers try a cross filed chip which goes out on the full! Oh what a poor choice for a 5th tackle option

Newcastle Knights 18-16

It's no try!

Newcastle Knights 18-16

Looking at a knock on from Sims

Newcastle Knights 18-16

Going upstairs for a try to uate

Newcastle Knights 18-16

Do we have a try for the Knights???

Newcastle Knights 18-16

The Knights are nearly in with a catch and pass however it's knocked down by Rankin who stops a certain try, Knights go into touch on the next play

Newcastle Knights 18-16

Line drop out as matora loses the ball in the in goal, more pressure to come. the Knights look like they're fading

Newcastle Knights 18-16

Tigers get a penalty and move up to halfway. Their defence has kept them in the game. What can they do to hurt the Knights?

Newcastle Knights 18-16

Tigers back on attack after the Knights lose the ball on tackle 1, poor play yet again

Newcastle Knights 18-10

End to end stuff as both sides continue to flex their attacking muscles. More points to come I fancy

Newcastle Knights 18-10

Penalty to the Knights from the kickoff after a lifting tackle. Knights are hungry for more!

Newcastle Knights 18-10

Oh what a sneaky play b y Korbin Sims! Hodkinson gives an up and under and for some reason there is a loose football on the field with Sims toes ahead towards Rankin into his vision and he knocks on hodkinson's bomb! Genius play!

Newcastle Knights 12-10

Some really aggressive defence from both sides! This is heavy stuff at the moment

Newcastle Knights 12-10

A dreadful pass by Naiqama has the ball travelling into touch, silly play. This is followed by a penalty to the Knights and Mullen takes the quick tap and races 50m!

Newcastle Knights 12-10

Great metres by the Tigers on the back of a dubious penalty, farah forces another line drop out!

Newcastle Knights 12-10

We're back for the 2nd half!

Newcastle Knights 12-10

The Tigers are tackled by some desperate defence by the Knights. Half time with the Knights leading the Tigers 12-10

Newcastle Knights 12-10

Tigers on the attack! 40 seconds left

Newcastle Knights 12-10

Penalty to the Knights after a high shot and then a bit of handbags in the play the ball.
It's wasted by the Knights as Mata'utia knocks it on! Deary me...

Newcastle Knights 12-10

Nice little grubber by Randall forces an error from Tedesco and it's a line drop out. Can the Knights hit back before half time?

Wests Tigers 10-6

More pain for the Knights as Moses is head highed by smith off the kick off, penalty and the Tigers march up the field

Wests Tigers 10-6

Knights pushing hard and are actually held up over the line after Korbin Sims charges at the defence. Next play the ball is lost and the Tigers sturdy defence holds up.

Newcastle Knights 6-4

Great play by the Knights after turning defence into attack.

Newcastle Knights 6-4

Tigers are looking really dangerous on the left hand side, they do catch and pass and create the overlap but Rankin is not awake to it and the ball bounces into touch, lucky escape for the Novacastrions

Wests Tigers 4-0

Knights again looking dangerous but a forward pass pulls it back. Uate had made a powerful run but the pass off the following play is ruled forward to Jeremy Smith

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Another error by the knights when they are in good positions. Uate spills it and its ruled a knock on. Although did appear there were hands from Tigers players though. Set back there for the homeside

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Looks like the Knights are going to have to grind out a victory here this afternoon. Containing this explosive backline of the Tigers could be tough though!

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But it all comes undone as a loose pass is scooped up by Uate who thinks he's away for a second but is quickly dragged down

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Brilliant set by the Tigers has the Knights defence in all sorts of pressure and they are forced in goal. Line drop out. Nice kick by Mitch Moses

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A good opening set is undone by a handling error by Mataora just 35m out from the Tigers line. Tigers get the ball in a handy position.

We have kickoff at Hunter Stadium with the Knights getting first use of the football.

Here come the visitors with the Knights not too far behind! It's go time folks!

Big crowd up in the hunter and the Knights fans are all decked out in their hi vis as the Knights wear their high vis jerseys to promote the coal industry and all they they do for the people of the hunter!

Who's your picks this arvo folks? Will the Knights get their 1st win of season 2016? Or will the Tigers get their campaign back on track?? Tweet us @leagueunlimited

For the Tigers Nathan Milone comes in for the suspended Tim Simona in their only change.
The Knights recall Jaelen Feeney and he slots into the centres to replace Sione Mata'utia who is out.
Daniel Safiti and Will Pearsall are added to the bench to cover the loss of Robbie Rochow who broke his arm this week. Pauli Pauli slots into the back row in jumper 17

Good afternoon folks and welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of this match between the Newcastle Knights and the Wests Tigers. Both these clubs have had struggling 2016 campaigns and although today isn't a do or die game it certainly is a big game in the schemes of their respective seasons.
Both these clubs would love the 2 points and you can expect it to be a grind fest. Momentum is huge in the NRL and it starts with a win this afternoon