The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have been defeated by the Newcastle Knights, 32-20.
The Bulldogs trailed 22-0 at the break and despite a second half fightback, the Dogs were not able to chase down the Knights.
Newcastle opened the scoring early when Elijah Rasiga crossed for the opening try of the match only 45 seconds in.
The Knights had a further two tries in the opening ten minutes thanks to Luke Huth and Bayden Searle, before winger Rasiga had his second for the match just before the halftime break.
Newcastle’s four tries and Searle’s three conversions sent the Scott Dureau coached side into the sheds leading 22-0.
The Dogs were first to score in the second half when winger Frank Kuresa scored out wide a minute following the break, before the Knights replied with their fifth try of the match through Tex Hoy in the 38th minute.
Searle added another two points to extend their lead, 28-4, before Lewis Hamilton scored Newcastle’s fifth try in the 50th minute to take the score to 32-4.
The Knights would not go on to score another trey, but the Bulldogs crossed for three of their own in the final 15 minutes of the match.
Winger Blake Clayton scored one and centre Isaiah Tass grabbed a double within five minutes apart.
Jake Averillo converted two of the tries, but the comeback was too late and the Knights won 32-20.
The loss sees Canterbury sit in eighth position, while the win has the Knights in seventh.
Round 10 of the Jersey Flegg competition will see all teams have a bye.
