Knights23
Raiders4
Gritty Newcastle displayed defensive steel after losing key playmaker Jarrod Mullen and stayed on course for the finals with a courageous win over Canberra at EnergyAustralia Stadium last night.
The Knights spent much of the match defending and played all but the first five minutes without Mullen, who damaged ankle ligaments.
Newcastle started the round seventh, while Canberra have dropped to 11th, four points outside the eight.
Up 16-0 at the break, Newcastle tallied four tries to one and held Canberra scoreless for almost an hour.
The Raiders dominated territory in the first and third quarters but failed to capitalise on the vast majority of their possession. A 56th minute Joel Monaghan try from a Marc Herbert bomb was Canberra's only reward.
For 12 first-half minutes, the Knights were down to just 15 fit players while prop Mark Taufua was benched with a shoulder problem. Taufua returned after 22 minutes and shortly after, the Knights commenced their decisive second-quarter scoring surge.
Canberra contributed mightily to their own downfall, as two of Newcastle's three tries came after the Raiders conceded penalties deep in their own half, while the third emanated from a horrid error.
Five-eighth Ben Rogers effectively put the game beyond Canberra's reach with a 67th minute field goal to give Newcastle a 17-4 advantage.
Wes Naiqama, who came on for Mullen, added a 78th minute try and also nailed three shots at goal for a personal tally of 10 points.
Knights 23 (R Fa'aoso, K Lulia, W Naiqama, A Uate tries; W Naiqama 3 goals; B Rogers field goal) Raiders 4 (J Monaghan try).
NRL: Knights enhance chances
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