Armstrong hat-trick helps Knights extend winning streak against Titans

The Knights overcame the loss of star centre Bradman Best and a 12-point halftime deficit to extend their winning streak to four consecutive matches with a 28-24 defeat of the Titans.

Best was ruled out of the game at halftime with a hamstring injury in a blow to both the Knights and NSW Blues, but the Knights unearthed another star after rookie fullback David Armstrong grabbed a hat-trick of tries.

Armstrong was called up for his NRL debut four weeks ago after superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga was ruled out for three months with a Lisfranc injury and the Knights have won every game he has played.

The Knights got off to a dream start when Armstrong scored two tries in the opening nine minutes, but momentum shifted dramatically after a forward pass, penalty and six-again call in quick succession.

The Titans lost Ireland World Cup prop Jaiman Jolliffe with a suspected pec injury but they turned the game around in dramatic fashion after hooker Sam Verrills grubbered into the Newcastle in-goal for Klese Haas to score.

Gold Coast winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira maintained his remarkable try scoring strike rate when he crossed in the corner after a quick exchange of hands featuring halfback Tom Weaver, five-eighth Chris Randall and centre Brian Kelly.

Weaver, who was Titans coach Des Hasler's only available playmaker after passing a late fitness test, helped put his side ahead in the 25th minute with a perfectly weighted cross-field kick for Jojo Fifita to score.

The try followed a kick by Hastings that bounced awkwardly in the Gold Coast in-goal and only just evaded Tyson Frizell, prompting the Knights halfback to verbal David Fifita and the pair engaged in a heated exchange.

Hastings then took exception to a tackle by Aaron Schoupp soon after and the pair were sinbinned after becoming embroiled in some push and shove, but it was the Titans who took advantage. 

Fullback Keano Kini showed his speed when he backed up a break by forward Isaac Lui and raced 80 metres to score before Khan-Pereira got his second try while both teams were a man short.

Trailing 24-10 at halftime and with NSW Origin centre Bradman Best unable to return due to a hamstring injury, the Knights started the second term like they did the first, with Armstrong scoring his third try after a break by Daniel Lucas.

Brodie Jones crossed in the 50th minute after Jack Hetherington knocked the ball loose from Kini near the Titans line and the interchange forward picked it and dived over to score.

The Knights regained the lead in dramatic circumstances after Titans prop Moeaki Fotuaika held back Jacob Saifiti as he chased a Hasting grubber in the Gold Coast in-goal in the 68th minute.

There was further controversy when Brian Kelly was disallowed a try by the bunker with four minutes to go after Jojo Fifita tapped back a Weaver kick but the Titans centre was deemed to have lost the ball as he reached for the line.