Ponga produces as Newcastle bounce back

Embed from Getty Images

Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans

A brilliant performance from Kalyn Ponga has seen the Newcastle Knights break a three-game losing run with a 46-26 victory over the Gold Coast Titans.

Determined to make amends for a horror showing prior to last week's bye, the Knights posted six second half tries to turn a halftime deadlock into their largest score in a decade.

Overcoming a dreadful start which saw the home side fail to catch the kick-off, the Knights struck first with Phoenix Crossland and Jackson Hastings putting in a pair of cross-field kicks to allow Dominic Young (12th minute) to narrowly get the ball down inside the corner post.

Adding a penalty goal to Lachie Miller midway through the half, the Titans took advantage of a penalty with David Fifita (25th minute) charging over in his 50th game for the Titans to level the scores at 6-all.

Hitting the front after Young failed to catch a bomb close to the Newcastle line, the ensuing field position allowed Phillip Sami (29th minute) to use his height advantage over former teammate Greg Marzhew to leap onto a kick from Tanah Boyd.

Newcastle responded with moments left in the half following a well-placed grubber from Ponga which allowed Tyson Frizell to lock the scores up at 12-all.

Taking little time after the resumption to regain the lead, a left-side raid involving Brian Kelly and Alofiana Khan-Pereira allowed Jayden Campbell (44th minute) to cap his newly minted contract with a four-pointer. 

Continuing to trade tries with Marzhew (49th minute) powering his way through a host of defenders, a superb break from Ponga saw Bradman Best (56th minute) touch down to put the Knights back in front.

Returning to McDonald Jones Stadium for the first time since sustaining a season-ending concussion last July, Ponga (60th minute) produced a scintillating run to silence his critics much to the delight of 13,064 supporters in attendance.

Taking the score past 30 with a contentious try to Dane Gagai (64th minute) which drew the ire of Kieran Foran for an obstruction cleared by the bunker, a length of the field effort from Fifita (71st minute) proved inconsequential in the final wrap up.

With the result beyond doubt, Best (74th minute) bagged a double before Khan-Pereira (77th minute) continued his impressive rookie season, while the match ended as it began with Young (79th minute) snaring an intercept to streak the length of the field.

Next week, the Knights face the Sharks in Coffs Harbour on Saturday afternoon, while the Titans will take on the Bulldogs in Sydney on Sunday afternoon.