Original source (on modern site)
It was hardly a game for the ages, but the Newcastle Knights have come away with a handy two points after defeating the New Zealand Warriors 14-8 in very wet conditions. It was a sloppy contest all afternoon, with both teams struggling to score points and play an expansive brand of footy with plenty of rain falling throughout the afternoon. Knights prop Daniel Saifiti scored the game winning try in the 63rd minute, breaking an 8-8 deadlock. MATCH CENTRE: Knights vs Warriors live score Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today > The visitors had a number of sets close to the Knights' line in the final 10 minutes, but the home side defended bravely to record a deserved win. The loss is the Warriors' third straight, and counting a draw against Manly, New Zealand haven't won a game in a month. Newcastle have now won two straight without star fullback Kalyn Ponga in the lineup. The main talking point of the game was a controversial no-call just before halftime. Trailing 8-6, the Warriors were not awarded a penalty try despite winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak being tackled in the air while in the in goal. Michael Ennis expressed his frustration with the Bunker's decision not to award a penalty try. "Our game throws up some doozies sometimes and this is clearly one of them," Ennis said. "He's tackled in the air and it's not a penalty try. If he catches it, he scores no problem. Not sure how it's not a penalty try." The Knights scored the first of the game when Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad knocked a ball on in the in goal, which was grounded by Tyson Gamble. The Warriors went over for their only try in the 27th minute when Dylan Walker barged over from close range. WHAT WE LEARNED Bunker opens penalty try Pandora's Box The decision not to award Dallin Watene-Zelezniak a four-pointer on the stroke of half-time is sure to be scrutinised through the week after the winger was fouled in the act of scoring. The Kiwi flyer caught the ball in mid-air in the in-goal, and was tackled in the air by Marzhew, causing the winger to drop the ball as he went to plant it down. Despite the Bunker confirming the foul play in the one-on-one act, no penalty try was awarded, nor a sin-binning, condemning the Warriors to an 8-6 deficit at the break. Referee Chris Butler told Shaun Johnson "we never give penalty tries for that" as the pair walked off at half-time, adding to the confusion. Blues bolters give varying performances Just a month out from the series opener, all eyes are on the State of Origin arena, and more importantly, who will trot out for Michael Maguire's maiden match in charge of New South Wales. Former Blue's middle Daniel Saifiti put his hand up in the absence of his brother, scoring a barnstorming try as well as playing a platform for the Knights in a dour affair. It was the opposite for bolter Mitchell Barnett, who has been in career-best form for the Warriors since shifting to prop this season. Despite a strong start, the middle forward gave away a key penalty early on, before slipping off Saifiti on his way to the try-line. Armstrong's confidence grows in Ponga's absence Rookie custodian David Armstrong proved once again that no Ponga, no problem for the Knights, despite a few scary moments from the fullback. Whilst the majority of fans were clad with ponchos and umbrellas, no one told Armstrong about the conditions as the fullback pulled off two mid-set kicks in the first-half, the first resulting in a line drop-out, and the second a penalty to extend Newcastle's lead. The No. 1 did have several handling errors in key parts of the field, as well as allowing a bomb to bounce early in the second stanza, nearly resulting in a Jackson Ford try. As the fullback's confidence grows more and more each week, it could open the door for the youngster to snare Enari Tuala's wing spot when Ponga returns. - Jack Blyth (NCA Newswire) Follow all the action in our live blog below! Can't see the blog? CLICK HERE