Round 16
Newcastle Knights 25 l. South Sydney Rabbitohs 28

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Rabbitohs make it two wins in a row
Sat June 30, 2007
Source: www.souths.com.au

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have scored a 78th minute victory through a Ben Rogers try, defeating the Newcastle Knights 28-25, their first victory in Newcastle since 1994.

In front of a crowd of 16,320 fans, Rabbitohs captain Roy Asotasi scored two tries in another inspirational performance, with Issac Luke sparking the Rabbitohs into action in the second half.

The Rabbitohs shot away to an early lead in the round 16 clash, scoring at a point per minute early on.

A fifth minute try to centre Nigel Vagana opened the scoring, with the Rabbitohs looking dominant in attack. Jeremy Smith went to the right creating the numbers before throwing a pass out to right winger Paul Mellor. Mellor charged up the right-hand touchline and passed inside to Vagana to score. Reece Simmonds converted to give the Rabbitohs a 6-nil advantage.

The Rabbitohs capitalised on a Jarrod Mullen error to set up their second try with Mullen's kick out on the full giving the Rabbitohs good field position. On their opponents line, dummy half Stuart Webb threw a cut-out pass to a rampaging Roy Asotasi who strolled over untouched for the second game in a row to score in the 11th minute. Simmonds' conversion gave the Rabbitohs a 12-nil lead after 12 minutes.

The Rabbitohs were attacking in and around the rucks before sending the ball wide which was working while they had plenty of possession. But that possession dried up in the second quarter and the Knights made the most of it.

Tries to Adam MacDougall, George Carmont and Cooper Vuna in a 10 minute period from the 28th to 38th minutes, and two excellent conversions from Cory Paterson gave the Knights a 16-12 lead at the break.

The Rabbitohs were playing well in attack but lost their way in the second 20 minute block. Their defence was solid up the middle but the Knights were getting through out wide.

The Knights opened the scoring in the second half with a dubious try to Cory Paterson. The Knights had three sets on the Rabbitohs' line before scoring with two of those sets containing forward passes including the final pass from Luke Walsh to Paterson. The try gave the Knights an eight-point advantage.

McManus scored for the Knights in the 56th minute after they took possession when Ben Rogers kicked out on the full. Adam MacDougall attracted three defenders and offloaded to McManus to score in the right-hand corner, giving the home side a 12-point lead.

The Rabbitohs continued to make life difficult for themselves by turning over any possession they were getting.

The Rabbitohs turned defence into attack in the 64th minute when halfback Jeremy Smith snapped up an intercept from Jarrod Mullen to streak 45 metres and touch down under the posts. Issac Luke's conversion brought the Rabbitohs within six points of their opponents.

The introduction of Issac Luke back onto the field in the second half sparked the Rabbitohs, when he split the Knights' defence from dummy half in the 68th minute and put Asotasi away under the posts for his second try of the night. Luke converted to level the scores at 24-all with 10 minutes to play.

Knights halfback Luke Walsh split the difference in the 75th minute with a 15 metre field goal.

The Rabbitohs struck the final blow of the match in the 78th minute when Ben Rogers strolled through a yawning gap left by Adam MacDougall who rushed out of the line. The try gave the Rabbitohs a three-point lead with only two minutes left on the clock.

The Rabbitohs defended well in the final set to get the victory which they worked hard for all game.

For the Rabbitohs, captains Roy Asotasi and Peter Cusack worked tirelessly with halfback Jeremy Smith marshalling his troops at the important stages of the game. Issac Luke really sparked the team into action in the final stages to get the Rabbitohs over the line. The Rabbitohs all played strongly and fought back well from a 12-point deficit in the second half to win by three.

David Peachey was put on report in the 32nd minute for a high tackle on James McManus.

The Rabbitohs move on to play the Melbourne Storm next Saturday at 5:30pm at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 (Roy Asotasi 2, Nigel Vagana, Jeremy Smith, Ben Rogers tries; Reece Simmonds 2, Issac Luke 2 goals)

defeated

Newcastle Knights 25 (Adam MacDougall, George Carmont, Cooper Vuna, Cory Paterson, James McManus tries; Cory Paterson 2 goals; Luke Walsh field goal)

Premier League - Newcastle Knights 34 (6 tries; 5 goals) defeated North Sydney Bears 22 (4 tries; 3 goals)

News sent by: www.souths.com.au


Knights Salute Heroes
Tue June 26, 2007
Source: www.newcastleknights.com.au

The Knights will honour our Emergency Service workers this Friday night when Newcastle hosts the Rabbitohs at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

More than 1,000 tickets have been divided among the regions Emergency Service workers and volunteers who put other people's lives before their own during the recent June Long Weekend floods.

"The Knights recognise the incredibly important role these people play in lifting the community's spirits," said Acting SEO, Stephen Crowe.

"We felt the least we could do was provide an opportunity for this unique group of men and women to be given the recognition they deserve from the people of Newcastle."

Former Newcastle Knights half back, Jason Martin will perform his single Mary's Weather as the flood heroes walk a lap of honour and a special presentation of the recent floods, as captured by the NBN news team will air on the big screen.

"We only have 26,000 seats so we're urging anyone who wants to pay tribute to get in early and show their support," Mr Crowe said.

In on field news, Knights Coach, Brian Smith today named an 18-man squad for Friday Night Football's return to EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Hooker Terence Seu Seu makes his return to first grade for New South Wales Captain, Danny Buderus, Daniel Abraham returns from injury for Blues back rower, Steve Simpson while Nathan Hinton replaces Origin utility, Kurt Gidley.

Mitchell Sargent will start at prop for the first time in Knights colours, making way for Jesse Royal to join the Interchange bench.

Knights recruit, Zeb Taia has been named at 19th man.

KNIGHTS v RABBITOHS
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Round 16
Friday 26 June, 2007

FIRST GRADE
Coach: Brian Smith

1. Nathan Hinton
2. James McManus
3. George Carmont
4. Brad Tighe
5. Adam MacDougall
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Luke Walsh
8. Mitchell Sargent
9. Terence Seu Seu
10. Adam Woolnough
11. Daniel Abraham
12. Cory Paterson
13. Reegan Tanner

Interchange:
14. Michael Young
15. Chris Bailey
16. Jesse Royal
17. Kade Snowden
18. Matthew White
19. Zeb Taia
(two to be omitted)

News sent by: www.newcastleknights.com.au

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