Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga power Knights past Warriors

Newcastle’s polarising skipper played a hand in four of his side’s five tries with a superb all-round performance to guide them to back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Mitchell Pearce makes a break to score a try for the Knights. Picture: Getty Images

Say what you want about Mitchell Pearce. Just don’t call him a quitter.

Three weeks ago plenty were questioning if Pearce was the right man to lead Newcastle out of the hole the Knights had dug for themselves this year.

But with his pride on the line Pearce has turned his season around, and in doing so helped Newcastle resurrect its finals hopes.

Pearce produced another inspirational captain’s knock in the 36-18 victory over the Warriors, playing a hand in four of his team’s five tries that handed the Knights back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

But for the Warriors it was their fourth straight defeat and leaves their top eight chances on life support after eight rounds.

Mitchell Pearce makes a break to score a try for the Knights. Picture: Getty Images

PEARCE THE HERO

Pearce copped plenty for his early season form. But over the past three weeks his leadership and competitiveness has been the Knights’ guiding light.

Even in the round six loss to Gold Coast coach Nathan Brown praised Pearce.

And after a man-of-the-match performance against Parramatta, Pearce backed it up here, scoring the opening try with a determined charge before two well-placed kicks laid on further touchdowns for Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Hymel Hunt.

The Warriors fought back to level at 18-all after 51 minutes with Ken Maumalo landing the first double of his NRL career.

But the highlight for the Knights came late when Pearce put Kalyn Ponga through a hole and the fullback’s blinding speed did the rest.

A relieved Brown declared: “I thought we stuck to what we came here to do and credit to ‘Junior’ and the blokes in the key positions.”

PONGA SHOWS UP RTS

It was a moment of magic that showed again what an undeniable talent Ponga is.

Last year Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Ponga finished one-two in the Dally M Medal count and going into this game their match up was highly anticipated.

In the first half Tuivasa-Sheck set up the Warriors’ opening try while Ponga had limited opportunity.

But when the flying fullback finally got his shot to even the score, he didn’t disappoint.

Pearce produced a clever inside ball and as Ponga went through Tuivasa-Sheck loomed as the last line of defence.

But the Warriors’ skipper had no hope as Ponga exploded past his opposite No 1 to score a magnificent try. It’s the third week in a row Ponga has crossed as his confidence grows.

Kalyn Ponga leaves Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in his wake as he runs in a try for the Knights. Picture: AAP

KNIGHTS’ NEW ‘CHIEF’

David Klemmer takes on the Bulldogs next round and it should be a ripper.

Klemmer has had a tough initiation at Newcastle from a team perspective but the big prop is certainly holding up his end with consistent efforts.

Klemmer produced another strong first stint, charging for 95m, and he finished the match with 195 metres from 18 runs, the most of any forward.

“When we got Klem we sort of felt that as a club we replaced Paul Harragon,” Brown said. “To have a 25-year-old who is a regular at the Test and Origin arena is a great result for our club. He is a really good family man. He hates losing. The benefit he will have with our next generation of players will be where Dave Klemmer’s legacy will be.”

Kenny-Dowall also had a terrific game, running for 190m and his try was reward for the effort and energy he showed all game

.

David Klemmer had another big game for the Knights. Picture: AAP

WARRIORS ON LIFE SUPPORT

We’re only eight rounds in but the Warriors’ season is already on shaky ground.

They had their chances to win this game but too many errors at crucial times just ruined any hope.

Stuck on four competition points, it is going to be a tough road back.

At least next week they get Kodi Nikorima but coach Stephen Kearney said the former Brisbane halfback’s arrival will mean nothing if the rest of the Warriors don’t change their ways.

The Warriors play St George Illawarra in Magic Round.

NEWCASTLE 36 (H Hunt S Kenny-Dowall S Mata’utia M Pearce K Ponga tries K Ponga 8 goals) bt NZ WARRIORS 18 (K Maumalo 2 P Herbert tries C Harris-Tavita 3 goals) at Mt Smart Stadium