Pearce steers ship
AN inspirational captain’s knock from Mitchell Pearce and another dazzling performance from Kalyn Ponga handed Newcastle back- toback wins to start the season for the first time since 2015.
Following his golden point field goal to sink Manly last week, Pearce this time came up with a terrific play to send Sione Mata’utia over for the match winner in the dramatic 30- 28 win over Canberra.
On a night when Ricky Stuart’s Raiders blew a sixpoint second- half lead to leave them winless after two rounds, the new- look Knights refused to lay down as Pearce drove them home to victory.
Ahead of his return match against the Sydney Roosters this Sunday, Pearce has started his career as the Newcastle skipper in great style, while Ponga was a threat every time he went near the ball.
Upfront, Brisbane recruit Herman Ese’ese made his presence known, while fellow recruits Connor Watson, Aidan Guerra and Tautau Moga picked up tries along with Lachlan Fitzgibbon.
They went to the sheds at halftime with the scores locked up at 14- all, two tries apiece and the Sunday night crowd was treated to some dazzling football.
Newcastle’s new recruits were having a big impact.
Watson threw a terrific ball for Guerra’s opening try, while Ponga produced a goosestep that would have made Shaun Johnson proud to send Fitzgibbon over.
The seesawing battle continued after the break.
Canberra scored first when Junior Paulo offloaded a wonderful ball for Elliott Whitehead to grab his second.
Not to be outdone, Ponga came up with another excellent fullback play to send Moga over for his double to bring the scores to 20- all.
With a run of second- half penalties, Jarrod Croker put the Raiders ahead with a penalty conversion before the skipper finished off a beauty of a try.
But the Knights set up a grandstand finish when Watson cleaned up a Nathan Ross kick after another classy touch from Ponga.
Then a clumsy play- theball from Josh Papalii gave Newcastle hope. And that’s all Pearce needed as he threaded a hole for Mata’utia to close out a gutsy victory.