Knights escape from Perth with win over Dolphins

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Dolphins v Newcastle Knights

Newcastle Knights move into sixth position after their 30-28 win over The Dolphins at Perth Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

It was a performance which was powered by Kalyn Ponga, who was instrumental in the Newcastle Knights win despite a first half hat-trick from Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako which gave the Queensland side a half-time lead.

The Knights struck first on a firm Perth surface. They went to the right side to open them up, Dominic Young strode free before he found the trailing Kalyn Ponga to touch down. 

Their quick start was quelled when Lachlan Fitzgibbon was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop. Dolphins struck immediately through Jamayne Isaako who strolled over from close range. 

The Dolphins went back-to-back to take the lead at 8-6. This time it was from long range, Kodi Nikorima cut through the Knights defense then positioned Isaako to get his second four-pointer of the contest. 

It was the Isaako show in the first half. He showed off his leaping ability for his third try in quick succession. He dived over a stationary Greg Marzhew to notch up the milestone. 

Knights got back to even and quickly cut into the deficit. Kurt Mann spied a gap, as the restart bell went and scooted over from close range. Ponga converted from mid range to make it 14-12. 

Dolphins inched their advantage to four points right after the break. A high tackle allowed Isaako to kick his first goal of the afternoon to make 16-12 in the fading sun. 

The newest NRL team were on a roll. They marched downfield after a penalty won by who else Isaako. Dolphins stripped the numbers well on the right and Valynce Te Whare walked it over. 

It was a see-saw contest and the Knights struck back. Jackson Hastings shrugged off a defender and went over underneath the sticks, Ponga converted which brought it back to 22-18. 

After his binning, Fitzgibbon gave some back to his side. He sliced through, fed Ponga who strided towards the line then offloaded to Phoenix Crossland who levelled up the contest. Ponga converted to put them ahead 24-22. 

They extended their lead again from some Ponga power. The fullback poked his nose through the line, his pass hit the ground and it fell into the path of Marzhew who has had a tough afternoon, but got on the scoresheet. 

Dolphins have shown they won't go down with a fight this season and set up a grandstand finish. It was a superb short pass and Connelly Lemuelu strolled over to make it 30-28.