The nib Newcastle Knights have fought valiantly in their first home game of the season, but have gone down 36-20 to the Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 3.
With a host of regular first graders missing and three players making their NRL debut, the match went down to the wire with the Dolphins finishing on top.
The Knights scored three tries to the Dolphins six, and will look to respond against the Raiders next start.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT
1st min - The match kicked off in hot conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium in front of more than 20,000 supporters.
11th min - The Dolphins would open the scoring through Tesi Niu on the left edge.
19th min - In his second game in Knights colours, Tyson Gamble rose above the pack to bring the Knights level.
A pinpoint kick from Hastings found his halves partner, who climbed above Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to score the Knights first
Knights halves in perfect sync
21st minute - Dom Young broke into the back field and found Lachlan Miller on the inside, but the fullback was brought down by the Dolphins 20 metres out.
O'Sullivan desperate in defence
25th minute - Dane Gagai looked to have scored a try in his 150th Knights game scooping on a loose ball in the in goal, however Young was ruled to have knocked-on in the lead up.
Knights second just out of reach
29th minute - The Dolphins would strike with hooker Kodi Nikorima burrowing over from close range.
34th minute - The away side extended their lead with Niu diving over in the corner for his second of the game.
37th minute - On the stroke of half-time, the two Lachlan's combined for our second of the night.
Fitzgibbon burst through a hole and offloaded to a flying Miller, and the fullback would get across the stripe for his first in Knights colours.
Miller starts and finishes it
40th minute - The Dolphins would hold on for a narrow 16-12 lead at the change of ends.
46th minute - Lachlan Miller had the Knights faithful up and about, streaking away to give the Knights the lead early in the first half.
Bradman Best seized an opportunity with the ball going dead, racing to the 20 metre line before unloading to Dom Young who found Miller in support. The No.1 would race 70 metres to score under the posts.
Miller goes coast to coast
57th minute - In a see-sawing second half, the away side re-took the lead through Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
66th minute - Niu capitalised on a Knights error picking up a loose ball and running for the corner for his third of the game.
68th minute - The Knights almost responded with Bradman Best powering to the line but couldn't ground the ball. From that play, Felise Kaufusi was sent to the sin-bin for a late shot on Hastings.
69th minute - Miller landed a penalty goal to bring the Knights within six with Hastings taken from the field for a HIA.
75th minute - Isaako scored in the corner for the Dolphins to seal the win for the away side.
79th minute - The away side posted another late try with Isaako scoring his second.
WHAT IS NEXT
The Knights will return home next Sunday for an afternoon clash against the Canberra Raiders in Round 4.
