The Knights have assumed the outright lead on the NRLW ladder after scoring 16 unanswered points in the second half to crush the Roosters 20-4.
Led by the brilliance of co-captain Tamika Upton, who scored a double and racked up 250 run metres and four tackle breaks, the Knights overcame their nearest ladder rivals after a tense opening half which saw scores locked at 4-4 at the break.
The result means the defending champions can wrap up the minor premiership with a win over Wests Tigers in the opening game of Round 9, while the Roosters still remain right in the hunt if Newcastle lose next week and they win.
After Upton opened the scoring with a clever grubber for herself in the 24th minute, opposite number Corban Baxter hit back nine minutes later.
Tamika Upton Try
With scores tied and possession being evenly split, the game was waiting for someone to break it open, which Upton did in classy fashion five minutes into the second period.
The Queensland No.1 appeared in support following a damaging carry from Yasmin Clydsdale and opened the Roosters defence up on her way to the line, with Jesse Southwell converting for a 10-4 lead.
Jasmin Strange Try
That opened the floodgates and further tries followed for Jasmine Strange – which came after a long-range break from Upton – and Southwell as the scoreline blew out and the Knights put the icing on a superb victory.
The defending champs have now won seven of eight in 2023 and are on track to defend their title at Accor Stadium on October 1.
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 8 -
home Team
Knights
1st Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match Snapshot
- The win sees the Knights jump to 14 competition points, two clear of the second-placed Roosters with one game to go in the regular season.
- The Roosters lost star prop Millie Boyle before kick-off due to a shoulder injury.
- Tamika Upton's double lifts her to 16 tries in 24 NRLW games, with her four-pointers coming along with 250 run metres.
Jesse Southwell Try
- Newcastle made five line breaks and gave up just one in the victory, with winger Sheridan Gallagher adding another to her personal tally which now stands at 11 this season.
- Jacinta Carter made her NRLW debut off the interchange for the Knights.
- Knights second-rower Yasmin Clydsdale ran for 185 meters and had four tackle break
- Both sides made 13 errors, with neither completing at above 70 percent.
Play of the Game
Newcastle Knights captain Tamika Upton was a threat every time she touched the ball and her double was key to the home side's win. The second of those tries was laid on by a barnstorming run from Yasmin Clydsdale, who broke the line and looked inside to find Upton trailing in support as always.
Tamika Upton Try
What They Said
“I thought our defensive grit and resolve was fantastic. We were clunky at times in attack, and I thought there was some really good individual performances in attack. We didn’t quite nail our execution and we spoke a lot about the detail this week but again we built the last four weeks on being a great defensive unit and I think we saw that today.” - Knights coach Ronald Griffiths
Knights: Round 8
“We weren’t great, and certainly not at our best, but Newcastle were really good. They were better than us, had a lot more energy, they were scrambling and if we made a half break, they were there covering. They looked like they wanted that win a lot more than we did, and they certainly deserved it.” - Roosters coach John Strange
Roosters: Round 8
What's Next
The Knights appear in the opening game of Round 9 on Thursday night, travelling away to take on the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. The Roosters take on the Cowboys at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday.
