The Newcastle Knights ISP side suffered a 24-20 loss to the Western Suburbs Magpies at Campbelltown Stadium on Saturday.
It was a great start for the visitors as they scored three rapid fire tries to lead by 14 points after 13-minutes, but history repeated as the Magpies clawed their way back to claim victory.
Just minutes after the opening siren, Pat Mata'utia came up with a try for the Knights as Brock Lamb added the extras to make it 6-0.
10 minutes in, it was again Newcastle to score as winger Thomas Cronan crossed over for the second try of the afternoon before the third came via other winger Tom Hughes to push it to a quick 14-0.
But the Western Suburbs kicked into gear in the 18th minute thanks to a try from Sam McIntyre before Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu rolled over before half time to see a 14-12 lead to the Knights.
And like they did the last time they met, the Magpies continued to put on a dominant display in the second half as five-eighth Tyson Gamble put the home side in front with a try a minute in. Kicker Josh Drinkwater converted his third to see the Magpies lead 18-14.
58 minutes in it was Knights forward Sam Stone to level the scores with a try before a successful conversion from Danny Levi put them back in front, 20-18.
The Magpies returned fire in the 67th minute via Mahe Fonua to see the home side once again take the lead, 24-20.
They held off the Knights for the rest of the match as the Magpies recorded a 24-20 win.
Summary
Knights 20 (T: Mata'utia, Cronan, Hughes, Stone G: Lamb 1/3, Levi 1/1)
Magpies 24
Team
1. Matt Cooper, 2. Tom Hughes, 16. Pat Mata'utia, 24. Brayden Musgrove, 5. Thomas Cronan, 6. Daniel Peck, 7. Brock Lamb, 8. Josh King, 22. Danny Levi, 10. Tyrone Amey, 11. Sam Stone, 12. Tori Freeman-Quay, 19. Zac Hosking. Interchange: 14. Faitotoa Faitotoa, 15. Bobby Treacy, 17. Christian Hazard, 27. Pasami Saulo.
