SG Ball: Balmain Tigers prevail with gutsy 18 to 16 win over the Newcastle Knights (Season long NSWRL SG Ball, Harold Mattews, Tarsha Gale Cup )

Playing in front of a small but vocal home crowd the Balmain Tigers scraped home by two points against the Newcastle Knights. WATCH THE REPLAY.

A vocal Leichhardt Oval crowd witnessed a courageous wet-weather 18 to 16 victory by Balmain in the SG Ball Cup with the young Tigers holding out the previously unbeaten Knights to move into the top six.

Newcastle, who had put on 120 points through the opening three rounds of the season, landed the opening two tries with long-range efforts from winger Ethan Ferguson and five-eighth Mitch Henderson.

WATCH THE REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Cathane Hill got Balmain on the board with a four-pointer in the 18th minute, before Knights lock Myles Martin, who scored four tries in round 3, barged over to restore the visitor’s 10-point advantage.

The Tigers scored again late in the half through Leo Nasio to go into the sheds trailing 16-12.

The sides bludgeoned each other through the opening stages of the second half.

The hosts managed to garner some offensive field position midway through the period when captain Cayne Nicholas barged over from dummy half.

Front rower Tony Sukker managed to steer the conversion through the posts to give Balmain the lead for the first time in the afternoon.

Newcastle began to pin the Tigers back and with 10 minutes remaining the momentum was completely with them as Balmain big bopper Vaka Aho was sent to the sin bin.

The Knights turned down a chance to level the match with a penalty kick with eight minutes left, the side instead opting to bombard the Tigers line.

Cayne Nicholas barged over from dummy half for the Tigers. Picture: Balmain Tigers

However, the hosts stood firm throughout the repeat sets and with a couple of minutes remaining the pressure valve was released when Newcastle prop Noah Johannssen knocked on off a line drop out – the Tigers winning 18-16.

Balmain coach Gavin Sheehan lauded his charges for pulling off what could prove to be a season-defining win.

“With 12 men that’s just a gallant effort from our boys,” he said.

“We had tough on-line defence and that’s something we’ve been working really hard on.

“It could be the start of something for us, we’re a great side and we can beat the best of them there’s no doubt about it.”

The Tigers take on the struggling Bunnies in Redfern in round 5, while Newcastle will play the Eels in Cabramatta.