2025 UK Pre-Season Friendlies
32 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
Newcastle Knights picked up a vital win in their 24-16 success against New Zealand Warriors on Saturday afternoon at Redcliffe.
The Knights came from behind to secure a huge win for their season in a tight tussle against fellow strugglers the Warriors with a double to Enari Tuala highlighting the win for the visitors to kick-off Super Saturday.
Two desperate teams headed onto the field in Redcliffe but only one started on time. The Warriors strode out to a 12-nil lead. Adam Pompey stepped past Origin hopeful centre Dane Gagai to make it 6-0. It was quickly doubled when a simple move saw Viliami Vailea finished off a backline move.
Reece Walsh added a penalty goal which stretched the advantage to 12 and it looked like the Warriors would keep up their perfect record at their temporary home in Queensland. Despite it being their home, the Warriors conspired to kick the ball out on the full four times and let the Knights back in.
Newcastle took the advantage of the Warriors wayward kicking and got into the break at 12-all remarkably. Jake Clifford laid on a four-pointer for Tyson Frizell then Edrick Lee finished off a good backline move in a half of two halves really.
The second half started much like the first. Warriors struck first through Dallin Watene-Zelesniak who was wide open from a Shaun Johnson chip kick to make it 16-12 and turnt he tide in their favour once again.
Today was going to be the day that Newcastle got themselves the win. Tuala touched down with a simple scrum play then the conversion from Jake Clifford put the Knights ahead for the first time in the 55th minute.
Tuala completed his double from a nice Anthony Milford kick in the 68th minute to make it 24-16 and put the Knights within touchign distance of two important points in the context of their dire season.
Warriors had a flurry of chances to finish the game and create some late drama. It ended how the game probably should've, a kick that flew over the sideline on the full from Johnson after the Knights had held up Vailea moments earlier.
Warriors 16 - Newcastle Knights 24
Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe / Kabi Kabi
Crowd: 4265
Halftime Score: Warriors 12 Newcastle Knights 12
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Jake Clifford
2 points - David Klemmer
1 points - Adam Pompey
WARRIORS (16)
Tries: Adam Pompey, Viliami Vailea, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Conversions: Reece Walsh (1/3)
Penalty Goals: Reece Walsh (1/1)
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (24)
Tries: Tyson Frizell, Edrick Lee, Enari Tuala (2)
Field Goals: Jake Clifford (0/1)
Conversions: Jake Clifford (4/4)