The nib Newcastle Knights have gone down to the Brisbane Broncos 30-14 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
The Knights rallied late with two tries towards the back end of the second half, but couldn't get over the line against a determined Brisbane outfit.
Heading into the make-or-break part of the season, the boys will rest up with the bye in Round 21 before a trip to Penrith to start the run home.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT:
1st min - The match kicked off in front of a third-straight sell out crowd in Newcastle.
23rd min - The Knights were forced to defend their own goaline for multiple sets of sixes in a row before Brisbane cut through the red and blue.
Deine Mariner scored the opening points of the night following a left side raid from the away side.
29th min - Reece Walsh would post Brisbane's second try showing his speed to score off a scrum win.
37th min - Brisbane extended their lead when Mariner ran in for his second of the game with Walsh playing provider.
40th min - The red and blue trailed 18-0 at the break.
48th min - Brendan Piakura added the Broncos fourth spinning through the Knights defence, receiving a short ball from Walsh.
54th min - Jack Hetherington reduced the deficit for the Knights with the home side's first four pointer.
Jack Hetherington posts the Knights first
64th min - Ezra Mam cemented the result for Brisbane with a try under the posts after a midfield break from Mariner.
66th min - Mat Croker pounced on a well weighted Tyson Gamble kick into the in-goal to score the Knights second of the night.
Croker on the spot
75th min - Quick thinking from Jackson Hastings found Greg Marzhew in the corner and the winger made no mistake to bridge the margin for the Knights.
Marzhew scores late
80th min - The match finished with Brisbane running out 30-14 victors.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Knights will have their third and final bye round before an away trip to face the reigning premiers, the Penrith Panthers Sunday 4 August.
