Kimberley Hunt scored a double as the Dragons posted an 18-10 upset against Newcastle to secure their first win of the season.
The Dragons headed to McDonald Jones Stadium knowing they had a challenge on their hands against the reigning premiers who had started the season with back-to-back wins.
Things did not start well though however, as even though coach Jamie Soward would have not doubt spent a lot of time on telling his players to not let her out of their sights, following a tight opening few sets, it was none other than superstar fullback Tamika Upton who opened the scoring for the Knights.
The Knights were in again soon after thanks to Sheridan Gallagher and it seemed that Newcastle would run away with it.
Sheridan Gallagher Try
But the Dragons fought back had the better of the momentum to end the first half with two quick tries of their own.
Tegan Berry got the Dragons on the board with a show of speed from a scrum play, burning down the right sideline.
They went back-to-back when a great pass from Tyla King - a late inclusion after returning from the Paris Olympics with a gold medal with the New Zealand rugby sevens team - found Keele Browne who stepped her way in to score.
Keele Browne Try
Raecene McGregor slotted the conversion to draw scores level 10-10.
The Dragons thought they had gone out to the lead when they went over thanks to some hard running from Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, but Upton was able to play at the ball when it was over the line, causing the prop to lose the ball.
The two sides went into the halftime break with the scores locked up with the Dragons no doubt the happier of the two sides.
Both sides came back out for the second half with intent and the Knights nearly broke the deadlock, but went into touch when attempting to put the ball down.
Kimberley Hunt 1st Try
Instead, it was the Dragons who scored first in the second half, with McGregor going to the right, finding Berry who threw a great pass out wide to Kimberley Hunt who held her line to go over for the try.
In a second half interrupted by a number of injuries - including a number of players being forced to leave the field for HIA checks - the teams kept at it, but the Dragons were able to seal the deal when Hunt went over for her second with only three minutes left to play.
Next week, both teams will play on Sunday, with the Dragons hosting the Roosters at WIN Stadium in Wollongong. The Knights will head to PointsBet Stadium to take on Cronulla.
Match: Knights v Dragons
Round 3 -
home Team
Knights
4th Position
away Team
Dragons
8th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match Snapshot
- Before this game, the Knights were aiming for their 10th consecutive win at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Imposing Knights forward Caitlan Johnston-Green out of the team with a knee injury before the match.
- Dragons forward Shenai Lendill came off the field late in the first half after an accidental collision with the head of a teammate left her with a cut on her face, but was able to return to action.
- St George Illawarra forward Jamilee Bright was assisted from the field late in the second half on a medicab, with the Channel Nine broadcast saying an ambulance had been called as a precaution after she had an accidental head collision when trying to make a tackle.
- Knights centre Abigail Roache left the field late in the second half for a HIA and was joined only moments later by Hannah Southwell who hit her head of the ground after falling in a tackle.
- Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored four tries in four games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- The Knights had previously won their last three games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons broke their run of four consecutive NRLW losses with the upset win.
Play of the Game
Teagan Berry Try
What They Said
Dragons
Dragons: Round 3
Knights
Knights: Round 3
