Knights dominate panicking Panthers

The Knights have started the 2015 season with four straight wins - their best start to a season since 2002 - with a dominant performance in their 26-14 win over the Panthers at Hunter Stadium today, although Penrith were without two key playmakers.

A powerful first 20 minutes of the game saw the Knights 18-0 up after tries to Chris Houston, Adam Clydsdale and Kurt Gidley.

The Panthers just couldn't get into the game early with some very poor defence on their line and a multitude of penalties to both teams. When Moylan kicked out on the full after the second try, the Knights scored on the first set and the Panthers were in all sorts of trouble.

Jarrod Mullen had a spectacular game in attack and defence, setting up Houston's 7th minute try followed by two strong runs down the left hand edge leading to Clydsdale pushing over from dummy half to make the score 12-0 after the easy conversion from Roberts.

Finally, after 23 minutes, the Panthers got onto the board with some handy passing from Peter Wallace and Matt Moylan to set up Josh Mansour on the left who planted a big step on Akuila Uate to step over and score.

This would be the only joy for the Panthers as half-time brought a much needed break and a much needed dressing down from Panthers' coach, Ivan Cleary.

The Panthers, without play-makers, Jamie Soward and James Segeyaro, just couldn't get into the match in the first half. The Knights, through Mullen, Gidley and forward strength from Beau Scott and Kade Snowden were making metres all over the park.

Penrith started the second half with a lot more promise after an 'animated' Cleary talk. Unforced errors cost them though as Mansour threw a pass to no-one to end a promising set of six.

It was the Knights that would score first in the second half after another Panthers' error, this time Moylan, spilling a towering bomb on his line, gifted the ball back to the Knights and a easy stroll-over try for Uate. Roberts converted from the right and the 24-4 score line with 27 minutes to go looked insurmountable.

A crowd of 20,114 in Newcastle witnessed a strong performance from the Knights, who are playing very strongly even without the Sims' brothers and Robbie Rochow, who had to be replaced by Joseph Tapine after experiencing back spasms in the warm-up session.

In the 65th minute, the Panthers finally cracked the Knights' defence again, with Moylan strolling through for a soft try to make it 24-8. He missed the conversion, but the Panthers had a sniff and lifted their game. When Dean Whare again exposed some tiring Knights defence and Moylan converted, we were looking at a 10 point ball game with 10 minutes to go.

On this occasion, however, the Panthers were just not good enough, despite throwing the ball around frantically in the final minutes. The Knights clung on and added a last minute penalty goal to finish 26-14.

The Knights sit aloft on the NRL ladder as the only undefeated team after 4 weeks. This game was looking to be their biggest test so far of the season and they managed their biggest margin. They will host the Dragons next Saturday, which will see Mullen up against Marshall in a tasty match-up.

The Panthers, who had a lot of promise at the start of the season, see themselves at 2-2 with a couple of losses in a row. They will look to get their season back on track next Easter Monday against the North Queensland Cowboys at Pepper Stadium.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Jarrod Mullen
2 points - Beau Scott
1 point - Chris Houston

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (26)
Tries: Chris Houston, Adam Clydsdale, Kurt Gidley, Akuila Uate
Conversions: Tyrone Roberts (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Tyrone Roberts (1/1)

PENRITH PANTHERS (14)
Tries: Josh Mansour, Matt Moylan, Dean Whare
Conversions: Matt Moylan (1/3)

Welcome to Hunter Stadium on this Round 4 clash and the start of our Superb Saturday lineup! First up, it is the clash between the Newcastle Knights and the Penrith Panthers.
These teams sit 3rd and 4th on the NRL ladder, with the Knights still undefeated, whilst the Panthers lost just their first game 5 days ago against the Roosters.
It should be a good tough game!

There are several line-up changes for the game.

The Newcastle Knights lose winger James McManus to a wound infection for today's clash, which will see Sione Mata'utia come into his position. Robbie Rochow is out with back spasms that occured during warm up. Chris Houston starts in his place, with Joe Tapine the new bench replacement in No. 19


A couple of changes for the visting Penrith Panthers with five-eighth Jamie Soward and hooker James Segeyaro both ruled out. Bryce Cartwright comes in at six, while Api Koroisau will make his club debut at hooker. Back-rower Lewis Brown drops to the bench with Isaah Yeo handed a starting gig in his place at No. 19 as well.

A beauty of a day in Newcastle today as the players make their way onto the field. Who did you tip?

Follow @leagueunlimited on twitter for all the updates as well!

1: Kick-off between the Knights and Panthers!

2: PENALTY Panthers. Highish hit by Houston on Koroisau there.

2: Sika Manu almost bashing his way over there. Last tackle and the Panthers bomb to the left. Uate takes it easily and the Knights work their way off their 20 metre line...

3: PENALTY Knights - Too many hands in the tackle there for the Panthers...

3: Beau Scott with a nice run to get the Knights within 15 metres of the line...

4: Jeremy Smith tried to smash his way to the line, but is stopped and it's a turn over!

5: PENALTY Panthers - Three penalties already. This time for the Knights inside the ten.

5: Uate again with a great take from a Panthers kick to the corner. Looks to be on form today!

6: PENALTY Knights - It's a penalty-fest! Panthers too slow to get off the tackled player.

7: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Chris Houston. Kick to come.
A strong try from the Knights! Houston runs onto a Mullen pass and plops the ball down beside the posts. Too easy!

9: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Easy conversion for Roberts, from just to the left of the posts.

10: Big kick on the last from Wallace sees the ball trickle over the dead-ball line. Knights restart from their 20 metre line..

11: Uate with a classy line break to make 20 metres, but then loses it when he goes to ground! Panthers get the scrum feed.

13: PENALTY Knights - Mansour with an accidental trip as he was lying in the ruck.

14: PENALTY Knights - That's 5-2 to the Knights in the penalty count now.

15: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Adam Clydsdale. Kick to come.
Clydsdale pushes through from double-half and scores under the posts! Great dummy half try and the Knights are looking the goods here!

15: That try belongs to Jarrod Mullen though after two strong runs down the left, including a couple of penalties against the Panthers. He's looking amazing today, as are the Knights!

16: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
From right in front.

17: PENALTY Knights - The Panthers kick out on the full from the kick-off! What a poor mistake!

18: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Kurt Gidley. Kick to come.
The captain scores!! Gidley beats a couple of players on the left fringe and waltzes over for a four pointer!
The Knights are on fire!

19: The Panthers' defence is very suspect today. Easy metres being gained by the Knights all over the park!

19: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Roberts slots it over from 10 metres out from the sideline. Has only missed one kick all season!

20: McKendry off. Campbell-Gillard is on.

21: PENALTY Panthers - Knights offside this time. Still a crazy penalty count.

21: Idris trying to spark something with a couple of strong runs.

22: PENALTY Panthers - Knights offside again. That pea is getting a workout today.

23: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Josh Mansour. Kick to come.
Mansour scores his first of the year! Nice lead-up play from Wallace and Moylan sees Mansour step inside Uate to score.

24: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan unsuccessful.
From 5 metres in from the left touch line, Moylan hits the post and it bounces away!

27: Good attacking play from the Knights on the last, but Leilua ends up handing it back to the Panthers, who are now on the attack 40 metres out.

27: Great take from Siona Mata'utia after a soaring bomb! Excellent footy here.

29: Randall On, Cydsdale OFF,
Peachey ON, Manu OFF.

29: Almost a try from Penrith! Some nifty second phase play down the left. Idris had a chance to score and Mansour cut inside to attempt to find the line, but ends up losing it!

31: Panthers lost the ball, which looked forward, but the Knights jump on it and then knock it on themselves!
The ref has called it a Panthers scrum feed.

31: Mullen getting some treatment on his left ankle. Doesn't look too serious at the moment.

34: Mullen kicks too long this time and it rolls dead. Panthers from their 20 metres now with just 6 and a half minutes left in the half.

34: Possible try here. We're going to the video. Wallace dove at the line, but it may be a double movement.

34: NO TRY - Wallace was taken down just before the line by a great tackle from Gidley and he promoted the ball illegally.

37: Nice set of six there from the Knights sees them almost score after a Mullen grubber for himself.
Moylan managed to get a hand on it and knocks on. Knights with a 10 metre scrum from 2 minutes to go!

38: Knights lose it on the first tackle! Panthers get it back and are almost at their 40.

39: Big dummy from Elijah Taylor and the Panthers are on the attack, but tackled on the last and it's a change over.

40: Half time here at Hunter Stadium after an entertaining half of footy! The Knights lead by 14 running in to the wind.
We'll be back soon with the second half to see if the Panthers can turn it all around, or whether the Knights will continue their unbeaten start to the season.

40: Some half-time stats:
Possession - 50 - 50
Completions - Knights: 18/21 - Panthers: 15/18
Tackles - Knights 180-177
Line Breaks - Knights 3-2
Offloads - Panthers 9-4
Penalties - Knights 8-4
Errors - Knights 5-3

40: Most run metres: Taylor - 85, Gidley - 80, Gagai, 79, Mansour - 70
Most tackles: Houston - 31, Taylor - 22, Snowden - 21, Koroisau - 18

40: We're underway in the second half! Gidley fumbles from the kick-off, but it is ruled backwards! (somehow)

41: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Tyrone Roberts makes an unforced error.
Roberts fumbles and the Panthers get the first chance in the second half.

42: Panthers make a mistake down the right wing with DWZ stepping out. Knights working their way out of their quarter.

44: Tapine is on for the Knights after playing a full game of NSW Cup. Nice work to back it up!

45: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Jack Stockwell makes an unforced error.
Stockwell almost throws the ball away as he goes to catch a pass. We're on halfway and Panthers have the feed.

46: Panthers on the attack with a repeat set in front of the Knights line. Looking a lot more slick so far this half!

46: Idris almost gets there! We're going to the video to see if Jamal has put it down, but he looks short.

46: NO TRY Panthers - Idris ruled to be held up. It was a close call. The on-field ref decision is upheld.

47: UNFORCED ERROR PENRITH PANTHERS
Josh Mansour makes an unforced error.
Mansour passes it over the sideline as the Panthers try to spin it wide. Poor finish to a promising set.

51: PENALTY Knights - Panthers had a solid set of six and it ends with a bomb from Wallace, but then tackled the player for too long to give the Knights a free penalty.

52: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Akuila Uate. Kick to come.
Akuila scores! Moylan dropped a bomb, gave the Knights another set and Uate strolls over on the right wing.
Panthers are their own worst enemies here today!

53: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Nice kick from the right side to give the Knights a bigger lead here.

55: A very nice set from the Knights after the kick-off finishes off with a deft touch finder from Mullen. Knights looking the most dangerous again now.

56: Nice crowd at Hunter Stadium today of 20,114.

57: Panthers change over the ball at the end of their set. Lots of poor options today.

59: Panthers are starting to panic now with 20 minutes to go.

59: Mullen on the turf again with a continuation of the ankle injury. He is going to play on, but could be something that will need working on during the week to come.

60: MISTAKE Panthers - The Panthers were on the attack and looking contenders, but a bad pass sees them turn it over.

60: PENALTY Knights - The Knights' Leilua is caught high by McKendry and the Knights make their way up to the halfway line.

61: Line break from Beau Scott and the Knights are within 10 metres!

61: Line break from Beau Scott and the Knights are within 10 metres!

63: Panthers attack is loose, but a decent run down the left from Lewis Brown put them in the Knights half.
Scott cleans up the last tackle kick and Sam McKendry hits him hard.

63: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Akuila Uate makes an unforced error.
Uate with a bad pass

65: The Knights almost landed an intercept through Gagai, but the Panthers cleaned up and then Idris knocks it on!
The first knock-on from the Knights stands and the Panthers have the feed 10 metres out.

65: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Matt Moylan. Kick to come.
Moylan splits the Knights defence from the scrum and scores an easy one.
Is there time?

66: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan unsuccessful.
Moylan sprays the kick across the face of goal from 20 metres in from touch.

68: The Panthers have a promising set again, but spoiled by a heavily weighted kick from Moylan whichs rolls dead.

70: Clydsdale has had a heavy head knock and is off the field, probably not to return for this match.
10 minutes remain!

70: Beau Scott has been in everything today! Solid game from the NSW rep.

70: PENALTY Panthers - They're on the charge here, but is it too late?

71: VIDEO REF - Checking a Panthers try here. Maxwell wants to check for obstruction, but it looks good.

71: TRY PENRITH PANTHERS
Scored by Dean Whare. Kick to come.
Whare cuts through some flimsy Knights defence and plants it down! Possible obstruction from Gidley is not ruled a problem.
Is there time for the Panthers to make this interesting?

71: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PENRITH PANTHERS
Conversion attempt by Matt Moylan successful.
Kicks it quickly and accurately from 20 metres from touch on the left.
10 points the difference with 8 minutes to go!

73: Panthers firing up now with some good hands to the right. Last pass is knocked down by the Knights and it's six more!

74: Big tackle from Uate on the left fringe as the Panthers attempted a try on the left, but have instead lost the ball.

74: Peachey with a legal strip! The Panthers have the ball just 10 metres out! It's all happening!

75: Moylan tries to kick in behind the line, but Uate cleans it up easily and the Knights fans breathe a sigh of relief!

76: Gagai grubbers, cleans up, but is tackled on the last.
Panthers have 4 minutes to score twice!

77: The Panthers are really throwing it around here! They can't make it to the line though and the Knights clean up again!

79: Mistake from the Panthers and the Knights have the scrum feed with just one minute to go. That will be game over, folks!

80: PENALTY Knights - A penalty is blown as the siren sounds and a goal will be attempted from just to the left of the posts.

80: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Penalty goal attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Roberts throws it over from 10 metres out, 20 metres in and that's the final whistle!

80: That's full-time here at Hunter Stadium. The Knights, although being out scored in the second half have held on for a strong victory.
The Knights remain undefeated this season and the Panthers lose two in a row!