Representative star Bradman Best made a successful return off the bench from a shoulder reconstruction as the Knights maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a come-from-behind 28-20 win over Cronulla in their SG Ball Under 18’s clash at Cessnock on Saturday.
Rory Kostjasyn’s Under 16’s also made it four wins from as many games, holding on for a 22-16 win over the Sharks in the Harold Matthews Cup.
The Knights, without injured halfback Phoenix Crossland, trailed by 12 points in the second half before storming home over the top of the Sharks in the Under 18’s game.
“They came out and bashed us from the start and we were a bit rattled by it,”coach Scott Dureau said.
“We were only down 12-6 at halftime after they had dominated us but they scored again five minutes into the second half so we were under plenty of pressure at 18-6 down.
“But we fought hard and got back to what we do well and scored some good tries to get our nose in front before Harry Croker scored close to fulltime to wrap it up.
“Bradman came off the bench and did well for us in the centres and our prop Campbell Sheppard was really good as well.”
In contrast, the Knights 16’s led the Sharks 22-4 before weathering a fightback from the visitors in the second half with Tom Cant among the Knights best.
The Sharks won the Tarsha Gale women’s game 66-18.
