Courageous Knights hold on to down Broncos

Embed from Getty Images

Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos

Newcastle have harnessed the energy of their home faithful for the second time this season to get across the line in a close one, downing Brisbane 15-10 despite late charge from the visitors in front of nearly 22,000 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Both sides engaged in a tentative start with nobody troubling the scorers until after the half-hour mark, Kalyn Ponga having a wow of a game in the first half to put Lachlan Fitzgibbon in for the opener. He converted the try for a 6-0 lead, which was extended to seven points right on the halftime siren by Mitchell Pearce - the Knights' import snapping a field goal to provide extra buffer as the teams changed ends.

Similarly the second half appeared to be a struggle for points and it would remain 7-0 until the 57th minute when Daniel Saifiti carved through some soft Brisbane defence up the middle and with the conversion held a 13-point lead.

Brisbane finally found their feet when Corey Oates got the visitors on the scoreboard out wide, Isaako unable to convert after hitting the upright with his attempt and the margin sat at nine points. Kalyn Ponga added a penalty not long after to extend it to eleven points.

At the 74th minute things got interesting when five-eighth Anthony Milford forced his way over from close to the line, Isaako converting to reduce the deficit to less than a converted try and ensure the nerves kicked in for all at McDonald Jones.

Thankfully for Newcastle they were able to hold on - they now spend three weeks on the road with trips to Melbourne, Tamworth (Wests Tigers) and Brookvale, while the Broncos are away to the unbeaten Warriors next weekend before hosting the Storm.