The nib Newcastle Knights Jersey Flegg team were defeated by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 30-24 on Saturday afternoon at Cessnock Sports Ground.
The Knights opened the scoring display, with second rower Kurtis Dark crossing the line in the 13th minute and converting his own try in the 14th minute.
The Sharks were quick to respond, with prop Monty Raper breaking through the Knights' defence just six minutes after the opening try, with halfback Braydon Trindall converting the try to bring it to 6-all.
Beau Fermor took control of the game for the Knights soon after, scoring two tries in quick succession, with both conversions successful in the 24th and 35th minutes, bringing the score to 18-6.
The beginning of the second half saw the Sharks control the tempo of the game and dominate possession.
They scored three tries in a matter of minutes, with centre Bronson Xerri crossing the line in the 55th minute, winger Jackson Ferris scoring in the 58th minute, and Shark Blake Manowski scoring in the 61st minute. Trindall converted the latter try.
Fermor took one last stab at the Sharks, crossing the line for his third, making the hat trick for his team. Dark converted the try and maintained a 100 per cent conversion rate.
Just as the Knights looked to have the Sharks on the ropes, Harrison Smith and Christopher Tupou crossed the line in the dying minutes of the game, sealing the deal for the Sharks and bringing an end to their unbeaten run.
Trindall converted the final try, with the Sharks defeating the Knights 30-24.
