Dolphins remain unbeaten over Knights

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Newcastle Knights v Dolphins

The Dolphins continue their strong start to life in the NRL with a 36-20 win over the Newcastle Knights on Friday night at Hunter Stadium. 

There will be phins up all across Redcliffe tonight, as the Dolphins made it three from three in their debut season after a Tesi Nui hat-trick inspired them to two points over a gallant Newcastle Knights side in the Hunter. 

Coming off their big wins in Queensland, this was the Dolphins first expedition away from their pod. It got off to a fantastic start when they stripped the numbers on the left which left easy passage for Niu to cross for 6-0. 

Knights were coming off their own inspirational win against the Tigers in Leichhardt and struck back. It came from the boot with the halves linking up. Jackson Hastings found a free roaming Tyson Gamble to touch down. 

Dolphins took back their advantage in style with a pair of scores. Interchange hooker Kodi Nikorima spotted a small gap in the defense to scoot over then it was another slick play to Niu which made it 16-6. 

Newcastle hadn't lost their home opener since 2014 and showed some resillience late in the first half. Lachlan Miller sliced through the gap, linked up with Lachlan Fitzgibbon who turned it back to the fullback to get the hosts within four. 

Coming out of the break, Knights felt just fine and took the lead! Smart thinking from Bradman Best after he caught the ball in goal, he gave it to the speedster Miller who raced away make it 18-16. 

Like they have in the first fortnight, Dolphins dug deep and scored in bunches again. Tabuai-Fidow strode away from the defense from a lovely Connolley Lemuelu ball which was tapped right into the fullbacks path. 

Next, it was Niu completing his hat-trick with a simple finish. It came from an error from Dom Young which saw the Dolphins go short side and the former Bronco dived over to put them ahead by eight points. 

There was some life left in the Knights especially after Felise Kaufusi was sin binned for a late shot on Hastings. Miller took the complementary two points which brought it back to a single score the difference and a grandstand finish. 

Despite being reduced to twelve, the Dolphins extended their advantage. They once again found numbers on the right side which saw Jamayne Isaako provide a classic finish in the corner for 30-20. 

Isaako then added some icing on the cake for the Dolphins third win. It was a kick from Isaiya Katoa which found the winger in space and he celebrated a double in the dying stages with another inswinging conversion. 

For the Knights, they were just too error prone against a solid Dolphins side and couldn't take advantage of the extra man late in the contest. The visitors continue to enjoy their time in the top division with another two points.