Round 2
Newcastle Knights 13 d. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Knights win first Golden Point clash
Sun March 23, 2008
Newcastle have emerged as the first Golden Point winners of the 2008 season as they defeated Manly 13-12 after coming from 12-2 down during the second half.

The first half was an arm wrestle with the Knights holding a 2-0 lead until the 35th minute when Kurt Gidley made a complete meal of a towering bomb with Jamie Lyon on the spot to score. Matt Orford converted for the Sea Eagles to lead 6-2, which they took into the half-time break.

Winger Michael Bani extended Manly's lead 17 minutes into the second half when he crashed over outwide and Orford converted to push Manly 10 points clear.

Chris Houston gave Newcastle hope when he scored, but Gidley missed the conversion leaving the gap as one converted try.

Richard Faaoso in the 77th minute was set to level up the scores only to drop the ball Neville Glover style with the line wide open. He was able to redeem himself in the final stages when he barged his way over to bring Newcastle back within two points. Gidley added the extras from near the posts to level up the scores.

Jarrod Mullen chanced his arm in the final 30 seconds kicking across the field only for the ball to field touch. Manly had two tackles in drop goal range, but the Knights defence was able to charge down Orford's attempt at drop goal to force the match into the controversial Golden Point setup.

Young halfback Scott Dureau landed an impressive drop goal in Golden Point to secure the Knights an impressive victory against last years Grand Finalists.

One criticism from the match was the lack of conviction by referee Ben Cummins. A head butt regardless of the force is an automatic and intentional offence and Cummins should have given Manly prop Josh Perry his marching orders for the offence late in the match.

Newcastle coach Brian Smith after the match said, "I think we tried to kill ourselves a couple of times.

"We missed some chances in the game but it was a very hard-fought game I think they are probably thinking they missed some opportunities too - it was that sort of night.

"It took the whole 17 guys tonight to get the money and a bit of extra time as well. It was all hands to the pump - there is no doubt about that."

Manly coach Des Hasler said, "We just gave two competition points away.

"We were 12-6 up with four minutes to go and it just goes to show competition points in this day and age are very hard to come by."


Newcastle v Manly Good Friday Ticket Sales
Thu March 20, 2008
Source: www.newcastleknights.com.au

The Newcastle Knights are reminding supporters that tickets are still available online tomorrow, Good Friday, at proticket.com.au for this Saturday's Malcolm Reilly Shield clash against the Sea Eagles.

With strong demand for one of the biggest drawcards on the Newcastle sporting calendar, fans are urged to pre-purchase tickets if possible to avoid queues on match day.

Due to the number of turnstiles at the ground, the stadium only has the capacity for a walk up crowd of around 4,000 by kick off.

In the meantime, tickets can be purchased at the Knights Kingdom Supporter Store or from PROticket outlets today (Thursday) and again on Saturday.

PROticket outlets include the following licensed clubs throughout Newcastle and the Hunter Valley;

Wests New Lambton
Wests Mayfield
Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club
Cessnock Rugby League Supporters Club
Club Macquarie
Hexham Bowling Club
Maitland City Bowls, Sports & Recreation Club Ltd
Mayfield Ex Services Club
Nelson Bay Diggers
Newcastle Jets Sports Club
Swansea RSL
Wallsend Diggers

Tickets are also available over the phone on 49 418 282 or online 24 hours a day.

News sent by: www.newcastleknights.com.au

Tue March 18, 2008
• Newcastle and Manly teams for Malcolm Reilly Shield
  

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