Newcastle Knights have claimed the first NRLW title with a win over Parramatta. In the NRLW, Newcastle has capped a remarkable turnaround, going from worst to first after defeating Parramatta by 32-12.
Newcastle’s Tamika Upton scored a try and set up another, for which she got the Karyn Murphy medal for a player-of-the-match performance.
The grand final match occurred at Accor Stadium in Sydney, and more than 42,900 people came to watch the game, which was a record crowd in the NRLW match.
Parramatta had reached the finals with just one regular-season win. Parramatta began in a promising fashion and fought very well, they troubled the Knights at times, but they could not win the match. Tiana Penitani was out from the game with a quad injury.
After dominating field position for the opening period for Newcastle, the Parramatta cracked Newcastle’s line when hooker Brooke Anderson scooted out of dummy-half Millie Boyle to score.
Knights had been deprived of territory but soon made up for the lost time. When Parramatta’s Anderson made an effort and took a 6-14 lead at half-time, the Knights put on three tries in 10 minutes.
Kiana Takairangi with Emmanita Paki and Romy Teitzel got Newcastle on the board first. Kirra Dibb of Knights could only convert one.
Due to Kirra’s inaccuracy and three try-saving efforts from winger Abbi Church, Parramatta lived in the game, and when they eventually found some ascendancy, they were able to capitalize.
Simaima Taufa took a penalty near the Knights’ line and barged her way over.
Parramatta’s fullback Gayle Broughton touched the game with less than a quarter of an hour to go, but they have pushed Knights back-rower Yasmin Clydesdale.
From there, Parramatta’s spirit was broken, and the Knights ran in three tries in the last 17 minutes and won the match by 32-12. It was the first NRLW title for the Knights.
