They were without star fullback Bradman Best and several other players through injury but Scott Dureau’s Knights Under 18’s side overcame a poor start to kick off their 2018 S.G. Ball premiership campaign with a 28-14 win over St George at Cessnock on Saturday.
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And not to be outdone, Rory Kostjasyn’s Under 16’s side cruised to a 40-6 win over the Dragons in their Harold Matthews clash.
Best, who represented NSW Under 16’s last season, won’t play until round 4 or 5 after undergoing off-season shoulder surgery, and Dureau was without at least six other squad members.
But despite being down 10-0 early and completing at just 40 percent in the first half, the Knights led 16-10 at the break before dominating.
Prop Tom Baker, who missed the Knights’ four trial wins because of a broken toe, was outstanding while centre Timanu Alexander scored a hattrick and was strong along with centre partner Toby Marks.
“We were horrible with the footy in the first half in really hot conditions and it was a pretty ugly win to be honest,”Dureau said.
The Knights 16’s led the Dragon’s 18-0 in their game at halftime and were never threatened with forwards Tom Cant and Sam Robinson the pick of the players.