Knights in charge but work still to be done

THE Griffith University Colleges Knights may as well have one hand on the Phil Temperton Cup after completing a clean sweep of the first round of GCDRU competition.

Saturday’s 45-0 domination of second-placed Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators was as close to a statement win as an undefeated team could produce.

Not even the loss of flyhalves Richard Kingi, Cayden Matehaere and Tony Bartley to injury this season could slow the Knights’ first grade rampage, as fourth-choice No. 10 Jarrod Nyssen orchestrated a 28-point second-half to blow out the Gators.

Coach Johnny Ngauamo said the six tries to nil victory had not reflected the intensity of the contest and his team still had work to do.

“Our goal is not to go undefeated for the whole season, it’s to improve every game,” he said. “If we do go undefeated it’s good but that’s not the entirety for us.

“We’ve played every team now once and I’m sure they would have learned from playing against us.

“The second (round) games will be a lot harder than the first because they will have worked on things to beat us.

“We still have a lot to work on with our skills and game plan.

“When we started to stick to it near the end of the game, it came off.

“We’ve still got Helensvale next week, who we didn’t get to play (in Round 1) because of the rain.

“We still see them as one of the top teams to play and I’m sure they’ll be up for it.”

Meanwhile, Surfers Paradise defeated competition wildcards Coomera Crushers 12-8 at Coomera.

Helensvale beat Gold Coast Eagles 38-12 and Nerang Bulls downed Bond Pirates 36-0. FIRST GRADE LADDER:

1. Knights (27) 2. Hogs (22) 3. Alleygators (20) 4. Bulls (14)

5. Surfers (14) 6. Eagles (11) 7. Crushers (11) 8. Pirates (0).