By Trent Thomas
The Illawarra Cutters were defeated 34-26 by the Newcastle Knights at Ziems Park, Corrimal on Saturday.
The match was a high scoring affair in torrential conditions as the bad weather did not stop for the entire contest.
The Knights asserted themselves early on in the contest with the side from the Hunter scoring four times in the first half hour through Joseph Tapine, Chad Redman, Pat Mata’utai and Jaelan Feeney respectively.
While the game seemed to be slipping away in the wet conditions the Cutters found some points before half time through a try down the sideline courtesy of Kiti Glymin.
The Cutters entered the half time break down 24-4 to the Novacastrians as rain continued to pelt the field.
The second half started the way the first ended with Kiti Glymin scoring in the 46th minute this time catching a swirling bomb that Newcastle’s Jake Mamo couldn’t capture.
It did not take long for the Cutters to strike again with Fraser Alcock scoring in the 48th minute as the Cutters comeback was starting to build momentum at 24-14.
In the 50th minute the Cutters score through their own Mata’utai brother with Peter finding the try line to bring Newcastle’s lead within four points.
The Cutters took the lead on the hour with Tyron Cranston crossing the line and giving his side a 26-24 lead.
Tensions were high as both teams wrestled for dominance and eventually the visitors used a little luck which saw Jaelen Feeney grabbing his second try of the day.
In the 79th minute Newcastle finished the exciting contest with a late try to Joseph Tapine who had his second of the day.
Illawarra Cutters 26. Tries: Glymin (2), Cranston, Mata'utia, Alcock. Goals: Crook (3/5).
Newcastle Knights 34. Tries: Feeney (2), Tapine (2), Redman, Mata'utia. Goals: Holland (5/6).
