Ponga magic lifts Knights to 30-28 win over Dolphins

The Newcastle Knights have soared into the top eight for the first time since round six after overcoming Jamayne Isaako’s first-half hat-trick to post a 30-28 win over the Dolphins in Perth.

Isaako scored tries in the 23rd, 26th, and 31st minutes as the Dolphins shot out to a 14-6 lead in Saturday’s NRL clash at Optus Stadium.

The Dolphins still led 20-12 early in the second half, but Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga starred from that point on to give his side a 30-22 lead with eight minutes remaining.

There was late drama in the match after Dolphins second rower Connelly Lemuelu crossed in the 73rd minute to reduce the margin to two points.

With just over three minutes remaining, the Dolphins had a scrum just metres from the Knights’ line – but Herman Ese’ese gave away a silly penalty after holding onto an opponent’s jersey once the ball had left the area.

It proved to be the Dolphins’ last genuine crack at victory.

The Knights’ five-game winning streak has seen them rocket from 14th to sixth on the ladder, with their finals destiny now well and truly in their hands.

In contrast, the Dolphins (8-12) have lost seven of their past eight games to crash out of contention.

Knights winger Dominic Young got the ball rolling in the 11th minute when his 35m fast break and inside pass to Ponga set up the star fullback for the opening try.

But Lachlan Fitzgibbon’s sin-binning in the 23rd minute for an illegal tackle turned the first half on its head.

Isaako went on to score three tries in the space of eight electric minutes as the Dolphins shot out to a 14-6 lead.

The New Zealand-born winger scored his first when he latched onto a double cut-out pass and touched down in the corner.

Kodi Nikorima’s fast break set up the second try, with Isaako fending off an opponent before racing to the line.

And Isaako saved his best for last after halfback Sean O’Sullivan had unleashed a high kick.

Isaako soared high in the air to snatch the ball above a waiting opponent.

A mid-air juggle didn’t put Isaako off, with the 27-year-old keeping his nerve to touch it down before crashing over the dead ball line.

Remarkably, it was the second time this season Isaako had scored a first-half hat-trick, with the other coming in round six in a 32-22 win over the Cowboys.

The Knights hit back through Kurt Mann shortly before half-time, but Valynce Te Whare restored the Dolphins’ eight-point advantage in the 49th minute.

Jackson Hastings crossed for the Knights four minutes later, and Ponga set up the next two tries with scintillating runs.

Ponga fended off two opponents to set up Phoenix Crossland in the 58th minute, before another fast break from the star fullback resulted in a try to Greg Marzhew in the 69th minute.

The Dolphins kept fighting right until the end, but they just fell short of the required victory to keep their finals hopes alive.