The nib Newcastle Knights NRL squad have played out their first trial taking on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Industree Group Stadium on Saturday.
In hot conditions down on the Central Coast, the side finished the game with eight tries to the Sharks three plus claimed maximum points of 15 to start the Pre-Season Challenge including bonus points for tries, offloads and line-breaks.
After overcoming a 12-point deficit to start the game, a host of first-graders and up-and-coming players were on display with the score finishing 44-18 to Newcastle.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT:
1st min - The match kicked off on the Central Coast with centre Krystian Mapapalangi forced from the field early due to concussion following the first tackle.
8th min - After a shaky start from the Knights, Cronulla opened the scoring through Jayden Berrell.
11th min - The Sharks doubled their lead when Sione Katoa scored their second.
17th min - Newcastle reduced the deficit when young winger Kyle McCarthy scored the red and blue's first.
A towering bomb came down to Laitia Moceidreke, who batted the ball back to McCarthy to score.
McCarthy opens the Knights account
22nd min - Off the bench, Jack Cogger provided an immediate impact with a pinpoint 40/20 to put the Knights on the attack.
Cogger nails a 40/20
28th min - Dylan Lucas continued his form from last season scoring the Knights second.
After receiving an inside pass from Jackson Hastings, the forward burst through the defence to bring the Knights level.
Lucas too strong
36th min - Young dummy-half Riley Jones put the Knights ahead with four minutes until half-time.
Jones scores the Knights third
38th min - The Knights scored their fourth try in succession when Jackson Hastings played provider once again for Dylan Lucas' second try of the game.
A well weighted chip from the halfback sat up for Lucas to extend the Knights lead.
Hastings and Lucas combine
Ponga looking forward to Fiji trial
49th min - Sharks forward Tom Hazelton was sent to the sin-bin for a high shot on Mat Croker.
51st min - The Knights took advantage of the extra man with David Armstrong pouncing on the wing.
A late offload from Tom Jenkins freed up the speedster, who grounded the ball on the line to continue the scoring for Newcastle.
Armstrong pounces
53rd min - Armstrong was in the thick of the action again, this time setting up Jack Cogger for the Knights sixth of the afternoon.
A quick attacking raid down the right-hand side had Armstrong running into the back field before a precision kick back into the open field sat up for Cogger to score.
Cogger gets the bounce
57th min - Off-season signing from Huddersfield, Will Pryce was injected into the action and would have first four-pointer in the red and blue jumper.
The skillful outside-back showcased his footwork to beat a Sharks defender and run into score.
Pryce scores his first in Knights colours
64th min - The Knights continued to score points with David Armstrong claiming his second of the afternoon.
A kick from Will Pryce sat up in the in-goal and the winger won the race to the ball.
Armstrong scores his second
66th min - Jack Hetherington almost produced a brilliant try-saving effort, but the Sharks would score their third of the match through Tom Rodwell.
80th min - The full-time siren sounded on the opening hit-out.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Knights will head to Fiji for their second trial match next Saturday taking on the Melbourne Storm.
