Knights down Warriors 26-10 to claim back-to-back wins

KNIGHTS star Nathan Ross was been diagnosed with a fracture in his back, taking the gloss off Newcastle’s first successive wins in 712 days.

Knights players celebrate the first of two tries to Mitchell Barnett against the Warriors.

KNIGHTS star Nathan Ross was been diagnosed with a fracture in his back, taking the gloss off Newcastle’s first successive wins in 712 days.

The fullback was rushed to hospital after he was accidentally kneed in the back by Warriors centre Blake Ayshford in the 49th minute of Newcastle’s 26-10 win at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The local cult hero was cheered as he left the ground, first with the assistance of trainers before he was placed on a stretcher and then taken away in an ambulance to John Hunter Hospital.

“He’s gone for an X-ray. We’re not sure whether it’s something to do with the bone or whether it could be a lung or something,” said worried Knights coach Nathan Brown.

The Knights later released a statement saying scans had confirmed a fracture of the L1 transverse process.

It’s not known how long the injury will keep him out.

Ross tweeted from the hospital on Saturday night before the scans -

Thanks to all the @NRLKnights fans who once again turned out in support..
Im doing fine, just waiting on scans.

HOW GOODS A WIN!
❤💙

— Nathan Ross (@rossdog4) August 5, 2017

And he remained upbeat even after the diagnosis -

Thank you all for the messages of support... i am devastated about this but will be back 😊😊 #onelove #PositiveVibes https://t.co/QGMzNS3qUU

— Nathan Ross (@rossdog4) August 5, 2017

Knights fullback Nathan Ross is helped off the field.

Nathan Ross was rushed to hospital with a suspected fractured back.

In the drought-breaking double win that will extend Newcastle’s week-long party by another six days, the NRL cellar dwellers officially ended New Zealand’s season in the 72nd minute when man-of-the-match Brock Lamb’s try sealed the victory.

Lamb showed he could be the player to lead Newcastle into a new golden era by setting up two tries before finishing off the Warriors himself.

And that era could begin earlier then expected with the five-eighth giving Newcastle a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.

“It is great to get another win,’’ Lamb said.

“Last week was a bit scrappy but we seemed to stick to the game plan a bit more today. The result showed on the scoreboard. For me personally it was my support game. Brownie (coach Nathan Brown) has been in to me about it and I was around the ball and lucky enough to come up with a couple of tries.’’

Brock Lamb starred for the Knights in their win over the Warriors.

The Warriors’ slim hopes of making the finals are dead with the hot-and-cold travelling horror show crashing to their fifth straight defeat.

They failed to recover after Knights lock Mitch Barnett pounced to score two tries in four minutes to set up the second straight triumph.

“The fans have been unbelievable,’’ Lamb said.

“I think they are the most loyal fans in the game. It is unbelievable to come here every week and play for these guys.’’

Knights players celebrate the first of two tries to Mitchell Barnett against the Warriors.

The Knights began their mission to record back-to-back wins for the first time since August 24, 2015 with a shocker when Ken Sio dropped the kick-off.

But with the crowd cheering them on following their success against the Dragons, the home side

posted first points via a Lamb double play.

He first sent Ross on an inside charge before throwing a cut-out pass to put Barnett over.

And the pain continued for the Warriors — who were searching for just their second road win this year — when Barnett scored again four minutes later to double his NRL try scoring tally.

Stepping first right and then left, Barnett barged over the line to find a blade of grass to lead the Knights to a 12-0 advantage after Trent Hodkinson landed his second conversion.

Mitch Barnett scores a try for the Knights.

David Fusitua scored in the 25th minute to put the Warriors back in the contest against the run of play but the Knights went to the sheds at half-time leading 16-4 after Hodkinson booted two penalty goals.

Fusitua was denied his second try in the 52nd minute with the pass judged to have been thrown forward.

Newcastle are two points adrift of the Tigers, who are away to Penrith on Sunday, in the battle to avoid finishing last.

NEWCASTLE 26 (M Barnett 2 L Fitzgibbon B Lamb tries T Hodkinson 5 goals) bt NZ WARRIORS 10 (D Fusitua N Roache tries I Luke goal) at McDonald Jones Stadium. Referee: Chris James, Chris Sutton. Crowd: 11,824

- with AAP