A late Bradman Best try helped Newcastle to a 12-6 win over West Tigers, avoiding an embarrassing loss in front of their loyal home fans at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Best backed up his right-side winger Dominic Young in a length-of-the-field try in the 74th minute, collecting his pass and racing the final 35 metres to the goal posts at the southern end.
It provided the one real bright moment in a match plagued by bad weather and plenty of handling errors from both sides.
Scores were locked at 6-all for most of the second half.
Young threatened with several busts in his 195 metres and two line breaks.
But, nothing came of his flair, the movements breaking down because of a dropped ball or wayward pass.
Despite their unconvincing win, Newcastle moved up from eighth to fifth on the ladder.
Fullback Kalyn Ponga’s solidified his position in the Queensland Origin side for the 8 July decider.
He was involved in most of Newcastle’s attacking moves, before cutting loose after half-time.
Ponga chased down winger Heamasi Makasini to end his 70m dash towards the line, then pounced on a loose ball in another trysaving move a set later.
He also had a line break, busted out of four tackles in his 18 runs, and had an assist for NSW Origin forward Dylan Lucas to score his eighth try of 2026.
Wests welcomed back Adam Doueihi, who missed eight weeks with a shoulder injury.
It only took 10 minutes for the crafty No. 7 to prove his value, making a one-on-one steal off Dane Gagai in full flight, before he held up the pass perfectly in the ensuing set for second-rower Tony Sukkar to score his first NRL try in 20 appearances.
Doueihi converted and the visitors hit the front 6-0.
That remained the score at half-time, after both sides showed little intent with the ball.
A heavy downpour in the break created a far more slippery surface in the second period.
Newcastle finally posted its first points in the 53rd minute when Lucas ran on to a nice Ponga pass.
The Knights, who haven’t lost at home since being beaten by the Panthers in round eight, now command a 6-2 winning record in town this season.
That could be tested next Sunday when they face the fast-swimming Dolphins, who are on an eight-game winning streak.
Wests Tigers travel to Kogarah to face St George Illawarra on Saturday.
For more sports stories:
- Jets’ Australia Cup title defence boosted by key re-signings
- Hunter football fans in fine voice as Socceroos advance
- ‘This is me and this is my home’ says Knights’ NRLW star
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