The Pioneers, featuring 10 Newcastle players, defeated the hosts 28-18 at Davies Park with Haines sealing the result in the 77^th minute.

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Haines, who had replaced Western Suburbs fullback Sam Keenan (ankle) shortly after the main break, caught a chip kick on the fly before weaving past a couple of would-be tackles, putting on a right-foot step and sprinting down field to extend the visitors' six-point advantage.

"It wasn't exactly the same, but it looked a little bit like the Nathan Blacklock try [in NRL] from a while back," NSW Pioneers coach Matt Lantry said.

"It was a fair effort. He [Haines] looked lively the whole time he was on."

The NSW Pioneers led 16-6 at half-time courtesy of tries to Ron Massey Cup player Pat Hollis, captain Alex Langbridge and five-eighth Chad O'Donnell.

The teams exchanged tries twice during the second stanza, first for a 20-12 scoreline and then 24-18. Former Knight Pat Mata'utia and Maliko Filino got the four pointers for NSW.

Wests utility Ryan Walsh, playing halfback for the Pioneers, was awarded man-of-the-match while Lantry also praised the performances of second-rower Mata'utia, lock Mitch Cullen and prop Tama Koopu.

"I thought Pat was outstanding on the right edge and Ryan was acknowledged by the opposition," Lantry said. "The opening exchanges were very physical and I thought both Tama and Mitch handled that well."

In other representative fixtures, two Newcastle Rebels squads travelled to Sydney's Kareela Oval on Saturday. The men's under 19's went down 16-8 to the Cronulla Sharks academy while the women's Blues Tag got up 14-0 against Joeys.

Meanwhile, Newcastle RL first grade competition resumes with round 10 this Saturday and Sunday after a weekend off. Macquarie are at home to Wests, Cessnock host Souths, Maitland travel to meet Lakes and Central visit Kurri.