The Knights are lucky to have a handy halves replacement in Sandon Smith, who did well when he came on. His inside ball for Ponga to burst into space early in the second half and set up as try for Bradman Best was a highlight.
Dylan Brown was fair without being wonderful in his first game in the No.7 jersey. His kick played a role in Marzhew’s 13th-minute try, but he came up with a poor defensive read on Jake Clifford that led to a Cowboys try.
Fletcher Sharpe leaves the field at Allegiant Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
Ponga had some nice touches, but was hit high by Burns, who was sent to the sin bin. Burns immediately apologised to Ponga, but faces the prospect of a suspension.
Knights forward Tyson Frizell also faces a nervous wait after being placed on report for a cannonball tackle on Thomas Mikaele, who came from the field with a knee injury.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten agreed with the sin-binning of Burns, but asked why Frizell was not given 10 minutes for a tackle that will keep Mikaele out of action for the next six weeks with an MCL injury.
“I can’t disagree with the [sin bin], it wasn’t intentional, but it’s really disappointing with how the Tom Mikaele incident was handled, when you consider Kalyn gets up and plays on, and Tom is out for the next six weeks,” Payten said. “I’d like a bit of consistency.”
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The Knights started the first half well, but the Cowboys hit back through Heilum Luki and Murray Taulagi.
Newcastle started well again after the break with a try to Best, but the Cowboys went on the attack. They were not good enough to get across the line, but the Knights deserved credit for holding their nerve.
The Burns’ binning meant the Cowboys were always unlikely to snatch a late victory, and Newcastle made sure of the two points when Trey Mooney scored.
Cowboys’ No.1 Scott Drinkwater came from the field midway through the first half to have a rib cartilage injury treated, and he will be forced to play in pain in the short term with painkillers.