The nib Newcastle Knights have defeated the Parramatta Eels 34-26 in front of a second-consecutive sold out crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium.
With 27,424 fans crammed into the home of the Knights, both sides battled it out hard in an entertaining affair in the Hunter.
The Knights will next travel south to face Canberra in a crucial Round 18 clash.
Match Highlights: Knights v Eels
HOW IT PLAYED OUT:
12th min - After absorbing some early Newcastle pressure, the Eels drew first blood after Blaize Talagi crossed out wide off the back of a slick backline movement.
24th min - For the third time this year, a Knights debutant marked their debut with a try, with Will Pryce crossing in his first game as a Newcastle Knight to level the scores.
Will Pryce Try
27th min - After failing to complete after points, the Knights conceded almost immediately with Mitch Moses crossing of the ensuing scrum.
38th min - The Knights ensured they would go into break just two points behind thanks to a great finish from Greg Marzhew, who completed an impressive backline move to close the gap in the shadows of half time.
Greg Marzhew Try
40th min - After an absorbing opening 40 minutes, the Knights went into the sheds trailing Parramatta 12-10.
47th min - The Knights took the lead of the match for the first time, with Greg Marzhew grabbing a double with a strong run into the south eastern corner.
Greg Marzhew 2nd Try
51st min - After the Knights were twice denied by Bunker interventions, the Eels managed to respond with a try of their own after Talagi cleaned up a loose ball off a towering bomb to lock up the scores.
61st min - Parramatta then recaptured the lead, with NSW star Mitch Moses scoring his second the night.
65th min - The see-sawing contest took yet another turn, with Enari Tuala putting the Knights back in front, sending the sold-out crowd into raptures.
Enari Tuala Try
73rd min - After repelling waves of Parramatta attack, Bradman Best ensured the Knights would take home the two points with a 100 metre effort to score.
Bradman Best 1st Try
75th min - The Eels ensured the game would get a deserved grandstand finish by hitting straight back, reducing the margin back to just two points.
78th min - It was deja vu! Bradman again raced the length of the field to make doubly sure of a crucial victory in front of the McDonald Jones faithful.
Bradman Best 2nd Try
