Knights thrash Saints in NRL

Newcastle brought to a close the tumultuous Wayne Bennett era with a win, thrashing one of the master coach’s former teams St George Illawarra 40-10 at Hunter Stadium on Sunday.

The NRL clash was a throwback to a time before 2014, and featured a Timana Tahu theatrics, vintage barnstorming runs from the departing Willie Mason and a wild melee that sparked when Josh Dugan and Tyrone Roberts stood toe-to-toe and traded punches.

The Knights have typically struggled against the Dragons over the past decade and Bennett hadn’t beaten his former team since joining the Knights in 2012.

Veterans Tahu, 33, and Mason, 35, have been told they are not required in Newcastle for season 2015, but both showed on Sunday they still have plenty to offer an NRL club as they helped the Knights to their equal biggest win of the year.

Tahu crossed for his 92nd and 93rd tries for Newcastle after replacing a concussed Joey Leilua while Mason looked to have a new lease of life.

The win was the Knights’ fifth straight at home and seven from their last nine to end the season, while the Dragons ended their up-and-down year with two straight losses.

The Knights skipped to a 24-4 lead at halftime thanks to tries to Leilua, Jarrod Mullen, Tahu and Sione Mata’utia.

After crossing for his first try in the 19th minute, Tahu jumped to his feet and sprinted towards the goalposts to show off his athleticism by dunking the ball over the goalposts.

Tahu scored again after the break before Gagai was on the spot to touch down shortly after.

Sione grabbed his double with 12 minutes to go after a brilliant cut-out pass from Roberts, before Dragons makeshift hooker Kyle Stanley scored a consolation try at the death.

Bennett arrived in the Hunter as the game’s most accomplished coach and with huge expectations for success, but he leaves the Knights with the worst win percentage of his coaching career.

His time at the helm was highlighted by a thrilling run to the 2013 preliminary final before the Knights were thumped by eventual premiers the Roosters.

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