The NSW Cup Panthers went up to McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon, going down to the Knights, 42-22 in their sixth consecutive loss.
The Panthers won the early battle, Patea and Iongi linking up with a couple strong runs to control the middle, putting early pressure on the Knights. This manifested in a rushed pass from Mapapalangi which went into touch giving the Panthers a full set in the Knights half.
In the 10th minute, Nick Murphy had the first points for the Panthers, a shift working through Zack Lamont before Tyrone Peachey threw the final cutout pass to give Murphy just enough space for an acrobatic finish in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful, 4-0.
The Knights wrestled back momentum after the Panthers strong start, and they earned their first try in the 20th minute, Sebastian Su’a exploding through the line before getting an offload away, which ricocheted off a Panthers defender and into the arms of Will Pryce who just had to fall over the line to score. Conversion successful, 4-6.
Five minutes later, The Knights were in again, rolling along to extend their lead. This time it was Hayden Sutton breaking through and then linking up with Jenkins on the right edge, who ran away to score. Conversion successful, 4-12.
The onslaught continued as the Knights left edge got to work, Will Pryce cutting out Hayden Sutton and putting Krystian Mapapalangi away into space for an acrobatic finish in the corner. Conversion successful, 4-18.
It only took two minutes for the Knights to reap more rewards on that same edge, this time Pryce found David Armstrong with a similar cutout ball, this time a much easier finish for the Knights winger and with three minutes left in the half, the Knights were in full control. Conversion successful, 4-24.
The second half started similarly to how the first ended, Will Pryce throwing a cutout for Mapapalangi, this time he cut back inside and took three defenders with him before reaching out to score. Conversion successful, 4-30.
The Panthers had an opportunity with a full set inside the Knights 20, but Falefa Letoi lost the ball attempting to power his way over the line and the Panthers immediately paid for the mistake, David Armstrong going the distance off the scrum, beating Iongi in a foot race. Conversion successful, 4-36.
Tyrone Peachey scored in the 64th minute to give the Panthers their second try. Iongi and Patea both went close in the previous plays, but it was Peachey who went from dummy half catching the defence asleep to place the ball from close range. Conversion successful, 10-36.
Comeback talks started with Tyrone Peachey scoring another try in extremely similar fashion, this time off the back of a Falefa Letoi play the ball close to the line. Conversion successful, 16-36.
With nine minutes to go, Jordan Grant burst through the line and looked up to open space, accelerating away to score under the post and give the side a pinch of hope. Conversion successful, 22-36.
The next set was again very good, getting into attacking territory for a Zack Lamont kick, but Murphys contest on McCarthy was deemed illegal and gave the Knights the penalty, sealing the deal for the Knights.
With two minutes left, Liam Sutton finished the game off, a show and go into the line before accelerating into space and going 15 metres to score. Conversion successful, 22-42.
