Round 2
Raiders 32 l. Knights 70

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Canberra Raiders
Phil Graham [CT] 8 Pts; 2t (25th, 48th)
Todd Carney [BE] 8 Pts; 4/4g
William Zillman [FB] 8 Pts; 2t (5th, 67th)
Troy Thompson [PR] 4 Pts; 1t (42nd)
Alan Tongue [LK] 4 Pts; 1t (77th)

Newcastle Knights
Andrew Johns [HB] 30 Pts; 2t (19th, 37th), 11/12g
George Carmont [CT] 8 Pts; 2t (8th, 80th)
Kurt Gidley [F8] 8 Pts; 2t (33rd, 59th)
Matthew Gidley [CT] 4 Pts; 1t (62nd)
Anthony Quinn [WG] 4 Pts; 1t (30th)
Steve Simpson [SR] 4 Pts; 1t (73rd)
Reegan Tanner [LK] 4 Pts; 1t (54th)
Todd Lowrie [BE] 4 Pts; 1t (35th)
Riley Brown [BE] 4 Pts; 1t (70th)



Johns cashes in on record score
Mon March 20, 2006
Newcastle and Canberra yesterday passed a record that has stood for 71 years when it became the first match in premiership history to have more than 100 points scored. The Knights ran out 70-32 winners with the combined total of 102 eclipsing the previous 97-point record when St George defeated season debutants Canterbury 91-6 back in 1935.

It was a very productive day for champion halfback Andrew Johns who scored an impressive 30 points through two tries and 11 goals from 12 attempts to take him within two points of passing the 2,000 barriers. Johns went past Michael Cronin into 3rd position and he also went past Cronin's one club record of 1,971 points. Johns' goal kicking has really shone through in recent years when he's been on the field since he took lessons from former Bulldogs and Norths superboot Daryl Halligan, who sits in second place with Jason Taylor at the top.

Johns' haul of 30 points is still short of his personal club record of 34, which ironically was set against Canberra in 2001 when he scored four tries and landed nine goals and his 30 points wasn't even a Round 2 high with Bulldogs magician Hazem El Masri snaring 34-points.

Canberra's haul of 32 points in a losing side isn't the record with the Hunter Mariners scoring 36 points in 1997 when they lost 48-36 against Canterbury at Belmore Sports Ground.

Defence went out the window for both sides, in particular Canberra as 18 tries were scored with the Knights snaring 12 and the Raiders scoring six. Johns, Kurt Gidley and George Carmont grabbed doubles for the visitors whilst debutant William Zillman and Phil Graham each got two tries for Canberra.

Newcastle led 34-8 at halftime and Canberra scored two quick tries immediately after halftime to get back into the match at 34-20 down but three tries in the space of eight minutes saw the Knights clear at 52-20. The point scoring spree continued with the second half alone netting 60 points with the Knights winning that period of 40 minutes by 36-24.

Canberra started the season promisingly last week defeating Manly 27-14 at the Sea Eagles 'Fortress' but yesterday with Clinton Schifcofske and Adam Mogg last minute withdrawals, the Raiders depth was tested and the Johns inspired Knights brought them back to reality of the struggles ahead.

Newcastle now lead the competition due to their superior for and against and their start this year is a stark contract to last year.

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