NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 36 GOLD COAST TITANS 26
STEPHEN IBBETSON, McDonald Jones Stadium, Sunday

NEWCASTLE guaranteed themselves a place in the play-offs as Dane Gagai, Greg Marzhew and Fletcher Sharpe all scored try doubles against Gold Coast.

Former St Helens – and Titans – coach Justin Holbrook has overseen a remarkable transformation from the wooden spoon last season to not only the top eight this time, but possibly still the top four.

Lowly Gold Coast had their moments in this game, namely at the back end of each half once significant damage had already been done.

In the first period that meant starting at 16-0 down, having conceded three tries in the opening quarter,.

Gagai scored off his own kick and then latched onto one from Kalyn Ponga, either side of Marzhew’s first try.

Beau Fermor and Jayden Campbell picked gaps in the Knights’ defence to narrow the deficit to 16-10 by half-time.

And after Fletcher Hunt crossed at the end of a Ponga break, Kurtis Morrin charged through to again keep Gold Coast in touch.

But Sharpe’s reply four minutes later, scything through the heart of the Titans’ defence in thrilling fashion, sealed the home win.

Marzhew and Sharpe followed up to complete their doubles, before Fermor and Lachlan Ilias put some respectability on the scoreboard in the final three minutes.

KNIGHTS: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Dom Young, 3 Dane Gagai, 18 Fletcher Hunt, 5 Greg Marzhew, 6 Fletcher Sharpe, 7 Sandon Smith, 8 Cody Hopwood, 9 Phoenix Crossland, 10 Trey Mooney, 11 Jermaine McEwen, 12 Francis Manuleleua, 13 Mat Croker. Subs: 14 Harrison Graham (not used), 15 Tyson Frizell, 16 Lachlan Crouch, 17 Thomas Cant, 19 Pasami Saulo (not used), 22 Toby Winter

Tries: Gagai (5, 18), Marzhew (8, 70), Hunt (49), Sharpe (61, 75); Goals: Smith 4/7

TITANS: 1 Keano Kini, 5 Philip Sami, 3 Jojo Fifita, 4 AJ Brimson, 19 Jaylan De Groot, 6 Jayden Campbell, 7 Lachlan Ilias, 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Oliver Pascoe, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11 Josh Patston, 12 Beau Fermor, 13 Chris Randall. Subs: 14 Kurtis Morrin, 15 Klese Haas, 16 Cooper Bai, 17 Bodhi Sharpley, 18 Sam Verrills (not used), 21 Siale Faemani (not used)

Tries: Fermor (33, 78), Campbell (38), Morrin (57), Ilias (79); Goals: Campbell 3/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 16-0, 16-6, 16-10; 20-10, 20-14, 26-14, 30-14, 36-14, 36-20, 36-26

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Knights: Fletcher Sharpe; Titans: Beau Fermor

Penalty count: 8-5; Half-time: 16-10; Referee: Liam Kennedy; Attendance: 20,003