It was the fight back coach Simon Woolford was looking for, as the reserve grade nib Newcastle Knights got their first win of the season against the Wentworthville Magpies.
Played at Lyall Peacock Field in Toronto on Saturday afternoon, the final score was 24-20.
A stellar start for the Knights saw them put 12 points on the board early, although the Magpies slowly edged their way back to a narrow lead by half time.
But it was in the final three minutes the Knights were able to seal the deal, two late tries topped off by a perfect kicking game from youngster Kainoa Gudgeon.
Knights winger Tom Hughes got the scoring account open early with a double in the first ten minutes. Gudgeon converted on both occasions.
Soon after the Magpies exchanged fire via Nathan Davis, who crossed the line in the 14th minute before winger Bureta Faraimo got into the action. Wentworthville trailing the Knights 12-10.
A brace for Faraimo put the Magpies in front 16-12 going into half time.
After the break, Wentworthville got their fourth for the match via Kirisome Auva’a.
But it was a fight back in the final minutes for the Knights, Jacob Gagan and Braden Robson back to back tries a saviour for the side.
Gudgeon booting both for a Knights victory 24-20.
SUMMARY
Newcastle Knights 24 (T: Hughes (2), Gagan, Robson G: Gudgeon (4/4) )
Wentworthville Magpies 20 (T: Davis, Faraimo (2), Auva’a G: Fogarty (2/4) )
NEWCASTLE
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Cory Denniss, 3. Tom Hughes, 4. Jacob Gagan, 5. Kainoa Gudgeon, 6. Will Pearsall, 7. Tyler Randell, 8. Josh King, 15. David Bhana, 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 17. Pete Mata’utia, 14. Braden Robson. Interchange: 9. Tom Starling, 16. Sam Bernstrom, 18. Faitotoa Faitotoa, 20. Tyrone Amey.
