NYC Rd 13 Brisbane 18 Newcastle 46

by NRL

The NYC Knights have scored a big 46-18 victory over the Broncos on the road at Suncorp Stadium, despite losing Nathan Clarke with a head knock early in the game.

It took 19 minutes for the first points in the game, and it was the home side who scored through Francis Molo from the interchange bench. Bryce Hegarty added the extras in what was an unusually slow start to an NYC match.

But the Knights hit back almost straight away via Api Pewhairangi, playing in the centres. Lachlan Shipard couldn't level the scores with his conversion, with a tough kick from the sideline waved away.

Another try to Pewhairangi just five minutes after his first put the young Knights in front for the first time in the match. Shipard didn't miss his second kick from the sideline to give his side a four point lead heading into the back end of the first half.

The Knights were looking strong, and it seemed as though they were in for third when lock James Elias dived over. Unfortunately the final pass was ruled forward, but the signs were positive regardless.

They got their third through hooker Adam Clydesdale in the 34th minute. Shipard converted to send the Knights into the break in front by 10, 16-6.

The Newcastle side started the second half strongly. Elias may have been denied earlier in the match, but he got his try just five minutes into the second stanza. The Broncos finally hit back through second rower Caleb Timu in the 49th minute. Hegarty kicked his second of the day to keep the home side in the contest.

However when Chanel Mata'utia scored his first for the afternoon, and Shipard converted another from the sideline, the Knights looked comfortable heading into the final quarter of the match, leading 28-12.

Shipard crossed in the 65th minute and converted again from the sideline, in a big afternoon for the winger. The Broncos replied through Matthew Berwick in the 71st minute, but it would have no impact on the final result, as Kori Barber and Clydesdale scored in the 74th and 79th respectively to hand the Knights a handy 46-18 win.

Newcastle Knights 46
(T: Pewhairangi 2, Clysdale 2, Elias, Mata'utia, Sims G: Shipard 6/7)
Defeated
Brisbane Broncos 18
(T: Molo, Timu, Berwick, G: Hegarty 3/3)

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- NYC Stats: Brisbane v Newcastle
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