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Dan Keir 17. Jayden Yates First half Eels kick off and an error from Newcastle fielding the ball means the ball goes dead for a line dropout. The Eels are pressuring the line within two tackles but a stray pass gives the scrum to the Knights ten out. The Knights attempt a strip but knock the ball on. The Eels have possession 30 out and shift right as soon as they get into the 20. Perham is in space and draws the winger opening a passage for Russell to score in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful. Eels 4 Knights 0 7 minutes gone A couple of penalties during sets has provided the Knights with good territory. The Eels hold on against a strong raid from the Knights and finally earn their own penalty. It all comes to nought on the Knights 40 but then Newcastle return the favour by losing possession two tackles later.
Half time Eels 8 Knights 0 Second Half Knights kicking off The Eels have picked up where they left off dropping the ball on about the fourth tackle. Knights feeding the scrum 40 out. The Eels hold on and both sides trade sets. Parra get a penalty for a strip and work play towards the Knights quarter. The Eels forwards carry the ball strongly in the early tackles and a powerful charge from El Zakhem is only stopped inches from the line.
However the damage has been done and the knights can’t stop the follow up carry from Rodwell who crashes over next to the posts. Conversion by Rankin successful Eels 14 Knights 0 8 minutes gone. Tremendous 40/20 from the Knights and they follow that up by earning a line drop out. They might have been lucky here. An errant pass still gets a fortunate bounce to the intended recipient who then throws an offload which bounces along the ground to an unmarked winger for a Newcastle try in the left corner.
They hammer the line for about 4 tackles before Williams sends the ball right and once more Perham beats his opposite, draws the winger and puts Russell over in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful Eels 8 Knights 0. 21 minutes gone Apologies for the last twenty minutes. The rain hit and a minor hiccup with the device has caused me to lose all of the blogging over that period.
To recap that period, the Eels were guilty of far too many errors in possession. Newcastle made a number of raids down both wings. One break came close to creating a try with only a desperate chase by Williams preventing a kick ahead from being regathered by the Knights in the Eels in goal. A shout out also to Tevita T for a great cover tackle on the Knights left winger inside the twenty when a try looked likely. Without question the last 20 minutes of the half belonged to the Knights.