Knights halfback Jesse Southwell made amends for a shot clock blunder to lead the 2022 NRLW premiers to a 20-12 defeat of the Raiders at GIO Stadium.
Southwell conceded a 44th minute penalty for taking too long to take a goal line drop out and Canberra halfback Zahara Temara kicked a penalty goal from in front of the posts to give the home side a 12-6 lead.
However, Newcastle finished too strong and Canberra didn't score another point as Southwell stepped up to help inflict the first home loss for the NRLW newcomers.
The teenage playmaker drew the scores level at 12-12 with a sideline conversion of former Young Matildas captain Sheridan Gallagher's 49th minute try and then scored a try of her own to put the Knights ahead.
Sheridan Gallagher Try
The Raiders led at half time after a brace of tries by Kiwi Ferns winger Maddison Bartlett and forced repeat sets in the early stages, but the Knights stayed calm and returned serve with both teams going set for set for the first 20-minutes.
Bartlett's first try came in the 23rd minute when she crossed in the left corner to give the Raiders a 4-0 lead.
A 40-metre run from right centre Mackenzie Wiki led to Bartlett's second try after a quick play-the-ball and early shift saw her score after passing in-field to Cheyelle Robins-Reti and then receiving the ball back.
Madison Bartlett Try
Temara's conversion put the Green Machine in front 10-0 at half time and although both sides had a 78 percent completion rate, the Raiders' dominance was shown by a 21-8 tackle break count.
The Knights hit back early in the second half when English five-eighth Georgia Roache took on the Raiders line defence to score left of the posts in the 41st minute. Southwell slotted the conversion to reduce the deficit 10-6.
Georgia Roche Try
The Raiders were able to go further ahead after a mistake from Southwell allowed the goal line shot clock to beat her to a goal line drop out, which gave Temara an easy two points in front of the posts.
Tamika Upton’s third line break of the match sparked an opportunity to attack which opened the defence for Gallagher to go over for her fifth try of the season.
Southwell put her mark on the match when she stepped through the defence to score in the 52nd minute.
She was on the scoreboard again seven minutes later, slotting a penalty goal to put the game to bed and give the Knights their fifth consecutive win.
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Match snapshot
- The Raiders suffered their first loss at home in four matches this season.
- Knights captain Tamika Upton ran 226 metres with the ball, while producing seven tackle breaks and seven line breaks
- Jesse Southwell kicked a 40:30 in just the fourth minute to get the Knights off to a good start.
Upton breaks free
- Knights’ winger Sheridan Gallagher was placed on report in the 13th minute.
- The Raiders went into half time leading with a 60 percent possession count
- Raiders centre Maddison Wiki ran 139 metre in the first 35 minutes and finished the game with 205 metres.
- Wiki went off for a HIA in the 47th minute but later returned to the match after passing.
Mackenzie Wiki shows her speed and power
Play of the game
Jesse Southwell put the Knights ahead for the first time in the match when she scored an individual try next to the right post in the 52nd minute.
Jesse Southwell Try
What they said
“For us I think we defended with a lot more vigour, we had 20 missed tackles at half time, so we challenged them around our first up contact making sure that was better. One thing with our team that we pride ourselves on is defensively to keep moving and to keep moving for each other and ultimately that’s why we didn’t concede any points in the second half. Our defensive style in the middle, I thought they did a marvellous job of containing them.” – Knights coach Ronnie Griffiths
Knights: Round 7
“I think we are just lacking that little bit of experience in how to close a game out, and I think that’s what Newcastle did really well. They put girls on in that second half that new how to slow the game down and win those pressure moments. There is a lot of belief in this team now, no one gave us a chance to win today and at ten nil at half time, we probably got a lot more out of today in belief in how we can play as a football team. No one gave us a chance and I though the girls tried really hard, and the effort was there, we are just lacking that little bit of experience in closing out games.”- Raiders coach Darrin Borthwick
Raiders: Round 7
What's next
The Knights host the Roosters in a top-of-the-table clash at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday, while the Raiders will be aiming to keep their finals hopes alive when the travel to the Gold Coast on Sunday.