In this week's Rookie Report, we take a look at the nib Newcastle Knights pathways teams in the Knock-On-Effect NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup and Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup competitions.
The NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup teams took on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday.
The Tarsha Gale Cup team played in the first week of the finals after finishing the regular season in third.
The team played the Dragons to keep their season alive at Ringrose Park, Sydney last Friday.
See how each team fared:
NSW Cup - Knights 34-24 Bulldogs
The NSW Cup returned to the winner's circle with a come-from-behind 10-point victory over the Bulldogs.
After three straight defeats, the Knights produced seven tries to the Bulldogs four to rally home and earn the two points.
The Bulldogs struck first pouncing on a loose ball down their own end to run 80 metres to score.
Canterbury-Bankstown had their second soon after with Josh Stuckey crossing on the 7th minute mark.
It was 18-0 to the home side when Reece Hoffman scored the Dogs third inside 16 minutes.
Needing to be next to score, the Knights got on the board after a well-weighted grubber from Floyd Tighe found Honeti Tuha in the corner.
The Knights closed the deficit to eight points with Ben Talty crashing over from short range.
In the second half, Newcastle jumped out of the gates with Nicholas O'Meley diving over in the corner to score the Knights third on the 45th minute mark.
The Knights found success down the right side again with a try to McKenzie Baker drawing the Knights level.
Riding the momentum, the Knights hit the lead with two quick tries as Luke Huth burrowed his way over from dummy-half before a banana kick from O'Meley found Lachlan Williams next to the posts.
The Bulldogs scored one of their own with eight minutes to play before Brayden Musgrove secured the win with a try six minutes from full-time.
The win is the side's second of the campaign and moves them up to eighth position on the ladder.
Watch the highlights below:
NSW Cup Highlights: Knights v Bulldogs
Jersey Flegg Cup - Knights 28-20 Bulldogs
The Jersey Flegg side made it two wins on the bounce with an eight-point victory over the Bulldogs.
Travhon Lemalama scored in the opening minute running 90 metres to score an intercept try.
The Dogs hit back seven minutes later before Patrick Achurch put the Knights back in front finishing off a swift move in the corner.
The two sides continued to trade tries with Canterbury-Bankstown scoring two quick four-pointers while David Armstrong and Lemalama put the Knights crossed the stripe to put the side back in front before the break.
The Knights led 16-14 at the change of ends while the Dogs scored first after half-time to take back the lead.
Heading into the final 15 minutes, the Knights were looking to score next and Armstrong produced the effort to put the red and blue back into the lead.
Showcasing blistering speed, the fullback broke through the line and rounded the opposing No.1 to notch his second try of the afternoon.
With ten minutes to play, Riley Jones cemented the result with a try in the corner.
The Flegg side moved up to third on the ladder with the victory with four wins and two losses.
The team will next take on the Parramatta Eels at Cessnock Sports Ground this Saturday.
Watch the highlights below:
Jersey Flegg Cup: Round 6 Highlights
Tarsha Gale Cup - Knights 22-20 Dragons
The Tarsha Gale Cup side have advanced to the semi-finals with a thrilling two-point win over the Dragons.
After finishing the regular season in third, the team was fighting to keep their season alive and progress to the next stage.
The team is now one game away from a Grand Final to be played at Commbank Stadium.
Similar to their most recent results, the Knights produced a brilliant start to the game.
Mercydes Metcalf crossed over on the second minute mark to give the red and blue an early lead.
The Dragons replied with a four-pointer four minutes later.
St George Illawarra took the lead 13 minutes into the game with their second try before the Knights rallied.
Kasey Gaukroger scored seven minutes before the change of ends to give the Knights a two-point lead at the break.
Newcastle were again first to score in the second half with Tori Brazier posting the Knights third try four minutes into the second half before Jules Kirkpatrick doubled down on the impressive start scoring another four-pointer.
Southwell kicked both goals to take the lead out to a crucial 14 points heading into the final 20 minutes.
The Dragons would score two tries in the final stages to set up an enthralling finish, however the Knights would hold onto their lead to march onto the second week of the finals.
The team will take on the second placed Eels this Saturday, 5:00pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney for a spot in the Grand Final.
Watch the highlights below:
Tarsha Gale Cup: Finals Week 1 Highlights
