Wests Tigers have defeated Newcastle Knights 24-16 in a seesawing affair in Maitland on Saturday.
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 19 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Wests Tigers
Venue: Maitland Sports Ground, Newcastle
Kit Laulilii posted the first points of the afternoon, as the teenage lock forward bagged his second try in as many weeks.
The Wests Tigers lead was short-lived however, as highly-touted centre Fletcher Myers crossed after seven minutes.
Former Magpie Jahoiyakim Afoa made it 10-4 to the Knights, before Compton Fuatimau grabbed his fifth Jersey Flegg try of the season.
Fuatimau took Josh Feledy’s spot at left centre for this match, after the 18-year-old was selected in the NSW Under-19s State of Origin side.
After shifting from wing to fullback for today’s contest, Jay Kirk continued his impressive season, with his try putting Wests Tigers in front by four points at the break.
Newcastle were first to strike in the second stanza however, as Afoa collected a double to re-establish the Newcastle lead.
As the seesawing nature of the contest continued, back-rower Finnley Neilsen collected his first try of the 2023 season and put the Tigers ahead once again.
Wests Tigers went on to secure the victory through bullocking centre Sione Vaihu, with the final score reading 24-16.
