Ponga steers Knights past dire Dogs
TWO pieces of Kalyn Ponga magic and a steel city defensive display were enough to get the Knights home 16-6 and end a seven-game losing streak in the battle of the cellar dwellers against a woeful Bulldogs outfit.
As the Friday clash unfolded on a wet night to kick off Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium it became clear it was a game that was either going to be decided by Matt Burton’s boot or a dose of Ponga magic.
Ponga came up with two decisive plays that led to Newcastle’s two tries but it was the Knights’ absolute commitment in defence that sealed the deal.
When halfback Adam Clune darted through diabolical Bulldogs defence inside the final five minutes it was game over.
The Knights missed just two tackles in the first half, showcasing their commitment and the fact the Dogs threw little at them.
Canterbury had no offloads in the opening stanza, not even from the competition’s offload king, Tevita Pangai Jr. They were playing it safe, like a team short on confidence and wins.
The kicking of Burton was the only highlight. His towering leftfoot bombs and silky grubbers caused Ponga plenty of headaches. It was no surprise Canterbury’s only try in the first half came after Burton threaded the needle to perfection for skipper Josh Addo-Carr to swoop. ADAM Reynolds was in sublime form as the Brisbane Broncos demolished Manly at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Reynolds laid on two tries and scored one of his own as Brisbane strolled to a 38-0 win.
Selwyn Cobbo crossed in the first minute for the first of his three tries, and it was one-way traffic after that, with Reynolds adding seven goals en route to an 18-point personal haul.