#VBNSWCUP MATCH REPORT R21 v Newcastle Knights - Sat 3/8 @ Windsor Sporting Complex THRILLER AT WINDSOR CRUELLED BY LATE PENALTY While there has been plenty of discussion on the merits of golden point in the NRL in deciding the outcome of games, there was plenty of discussion at Windsor after tonight’s game as to the merits of calling a penalty which could have been called numerous times against both sides during the game, 10m out virtually in front with five minutes remaining in a game to equally decide a game, won by the Knights 38-36. Prior to the 75th minute penalty, the distinct lack of penalties blown by referee Lawrence O’Donnell allowed for a game to be played at a frantic pace between two of the competition’s leading contenders. In a massive boost for Windsor, Lachlan Coote was a late inclusion after a long lay off with a pectoral injury, starting the game at five eighth, while Newcastle was forced into a reshuffle that saw Korbin Sims come into the side after Kevin Naiqama was called up into first grade the previous evening. Newcastle came out of the blocks to open the scoring after just two minutes when a grubber kick from Adrian Davis took a wicked bounce that evaded Wes Naiqama & was regathered by the halfback to score under the posts. Josh Mantellato duly converted to give his side a dream 6-0 lead. Windsor hit back in the 8th minute when Travis Robinson broke the line from 30m out before finding halfback Luke Capewell on his inside to score underneath the posts, converted by Wes Naiqama. Newcastle quickly regained ascendancy to lead 12-6 with a try to fullback Peter Mata’utia after good lead up work by Anthony Quinn but Windsor levelled the scores once more midway thru the first half when a shift out to Newcastle’s left edge allowed back-rower Bryce Cartwright to offload inside to centre Geoff Daniela to score from close range. The Knights capitalised on some repeat sets late in the first half to regain the lead once more with tries to interchange forwards Ben Tupou & Chad Redman. At halftime, Newcastle enjoyed a healthy 24-12 lead. A halftime rev up from coach Garth Brennan seemed to have the desired effect when the Wolf Pack was able to repel 4 consecutive sets of six close to their try-line. A Chris Smith line break soon after ended when a heavy collision forced the back-rower out of the game with concussion. A Wolves charge down was the catalyst for their next try when fullback Travis Robinson stepped & evaded several defenders close to the try line before offloading inside to back-rower Vaipuna Tia Kilifi to score. The Knights restored their 12 point margin soon after a Korbin Sims charge down allowed a quick shift out wide to the left in the next play, with Quinn able to score in the corner. Midway thru the second half, the Wolf Pack reduced the gap to 6 points after a fine offload from Cartwright as he was going down in the tackle was brilliantly taken by Capewell who sprinted 15m to score, but parity was seemingly restored by the Knights where a quick shift to the right resulted in winger Chanel Mata’utia offloading to centre Siuatonga Likiliki to scored from close range. The Wolf Pack set up an exciting finish after levelling the scores with two converted tries of their own in a 3 minute period. The first came when Kyle O’Donnell put Daniela into space before finding Coote backing up to score under the posts. The second try came after a repeat set allowed the Wolves to shift the ball right with Naiqama creating the overlap for winger George Jennings to score out wide. An exciting finish was cruelled by the 74th minute penalty with Mantellato successfully taking the shot for goal, giving the Knights a fortunate 38-36 win, when on reflection a draw would have been the more appropriate result between two evenly matched teams. Coach Garth Brennan was clearly disappointed after the game. “I’m not happy with our attitude shown in the first half. They wanted it more than us & the half time score reflected that. I was pleased with the team’s response in the second half but again the defense by both teams in the second half wasn’t great. We need to be more consistent with the attitude we bring into our games. As far as the penalty is concerned it’s a disappointing way to decide a game when similar occurrences by both teams weren’t penalised earlier in the game. A draw probably was a fairer result.” Best for the Wolves were Capewell, O’Donnell & Naiqama while Coote showed some encouraging signs in his comeback game, making some incisive runs & scoring a try in the second half. “I’m a bit stiff & sore but I will be better for the run. It was great to be able to come back to Windsor & play where I played my junior footy but.” Next Sunday, Windsor return to Centrebet Stadium to take on the Wentworthville Magpies at 2PM. Final Score: Newcastle 38 (Davis, P Mata’utia, Tupou, Redman, Quinn, S Likiliki Goals: Mantellato 7/7) def. Windsor 36 (Tries: Capewell 2, Daniela, V Tia Kilifi, Coote, G Jennings Goals: Naiqama 6/6)
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 15:00:47 +0000
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