The nib Newcastle Knights NRLW side have won their opening game of the season 32-16 over the St George Illawarra Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
The reigning premiers opened their account for the season scoring six tries to the Dragons three with seven players making their NRLW debuts in the game.
As part of a double-header with the NRL side, the side secured its first points of the season in front a strong Hunter crowd.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT:
1st min - The match kicked off in front of 8,109 Members and supporters at McDonald Jones Stadium.
12th min - The Knights were on the board first with Tayla Predebon proving too strong close to the line.
A brilliant spiral pass out of dummy-half from Olivia Higgins set-up the front-row forward for the first points of the 2023 season.
Predebon powers over
18th min - The Knights doubled their advantage soon after with Novocastrian Yasmin Clydsdale storming through a hole.
After a clever move from Tamika Upton, the Australian and NSW representative ran through the Dragons defence to post the red and blue's second of the afternoon.
Clydsdale storms through
20th min - After a nasty head clash, Laishon Albert-Jones was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
28th min - Newcastle extended their advantage when Kayla Romaniuk barged over under the posts.
The forward made her way over for the Knights third and her first NRLW career try.
Romaniuk gets her first career try
33rd min - The Dragons would hit back just before half-time through Teagen Berry to reduce the margin to 12.
35th min - The Knights would take a 18-6 lead into the change of ends.
44th min - Newcastle extended the margin back out to 16 points when Jasmin Strange crossed over the try-line.
A long pass from Caitlin Moran found the winger unmarked for her first try in Knights colours.
Strange gets her first for the Club
56th min - The Knights were pushed further in front when Abigail Roache got over in her NRLW debut.
Roache on debut
61st min - Berry had her second for the Dragons running 80 metres to score for the Red V.
64th min - The Dragons were to within 10 points when Tyler Nathan-Wong scored the Dragons third.
68th min - Jesse Southwell produced her trademark step, in crazily similar fashion to her first NRLW try, to score the Knights sixth and secure the two points.
Southwell with her signature move
70th min - The match ended with the Knights finishing 32-16 winners.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Knights will head down to Belmore Sports Ground next Sunday to take on competition newcomers the North Queensland Cowboys.
