In this week's Rookie Report, we take a look at the nib Newcastle Knights pathways teams in the Knock-On-Effect NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup competitions.
In Round 3 of their respective competitions, the two senior pathway teams travelled down to Penrith to take on the Panthers at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
See how both teams fared below:
NSW Cup - Knights 10-40 Panthers
The Cup side were defeated 40-10 by ladder leaders Penrith on Sunday.
The Panthers ran is seven tries to the Knights two to hand Newcastle their second defeat of the campaign.
Sauaso Sue made his return from off-season shoulder surgery starting in the front-row for the red and blue while Edrick Lee started on the wing in his second game back from a long-term foot injury.
The Panthers started fast scoring two tries inside the opening 12 minutes through Matt Stimson.
Penrith extended their lead out to 22 by half-time with Thomas Jenkins crossing for a double.
After the break, Robert Jennings scored the Panthers fifth of the afternoon before Pasami Saulo put the Knights on the board with a four-pointer on the 52nd minute mark.
Jennings would have a double with 19 minutes to play while Jirah Momoisea notched a late consolation for the Knights.
On the wrong end of the scoreline, Dylan Lucas had another impressive outing having ran for a team-high 115 run metres plus made four tackle breaks and one line-break.
Wyatt Shaw also made 102 metres from 12 runs and 61 post-contact.
Luke Huth made a huge 46 tackles in the middle while Momoisea was damaging with four tackle breaks.
The side currently sit in seventh with one win and two defeats to start the 2022 season.
Newcastle will look to shake off the tough loss and respond against the Newtown Jets next Saturday.
Jersey Flegg Cup - Knights 24-6 Panthers
The Jersey Flegg side made it two consecutive wins with an 18-point win over the Panthers.
Winger, Kodi Crowther, scored for the Knights 13 minutes into the encounter before Cooper Jenkins doubled Newcastle's lead four minutes later.
The side were on a roll when James Johnson scored the Knights third only 20 minutes into the game.
The Knights took a 16-0 lead into the break before Penrith responded with a try to Braith Alexander five minutes into the second half.
With eight minutes to play, Jenkins sealed the result crossing over for his second.
Max Buderus kicked a late penalty goal to ensure the victory for the Knights.
The strong result moved the Flegg side into fourth position on the ladder with two wins and a loss to start the campaign.
The Jersey Flegg side will take on the Cronulla Sharks in their next outing in a curtain-raiser ahead of the NRL fixture this Friday at PointsBet Stadium.
Jersey Flegg Cup: Round 3 Highlights
