Edrick scores five as Knights thump Titans

Winger Edrick Lee has become Newcastle’s highest try-scorer in an NRL game when he contributed five in the Knights’ 38-12 win over Gold Coast at McDonald Jones Stadium.

That gave the former Origin back nine tries so far in 2022 and finally, the loyal Knights fans had something to smile about, even if it was only the second win at home in seven matches.

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Lee’s haul ensured he leapfrogged six Newcastle players who have scored four tries in a game – the last being James McManus in 2013.

His teammate Dominic Young claimed a hat-trick to make the two wingers the only Knights players to score.

But there was other drama afoot alongside the Knights’ record books being re-written.

In the second half, Titans prop Jarrod Wallace was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Knights utility Simi Sasagi close to the Gold Coast line.

The Newcastle Knights celebrate an Edrick Lee try. Ashley Feder/Getty Images

The advantage was not immediate as David Klemmer was put in the sin-bin for retaliating.

The Knights did have to fight for the victory.

After skipping out to 22-0, the Titans scored two tries within five minutes early in the second half to make the score 22-12.

But a 10-point margin was as close as the visitors got with the avalanche of points late consigning the Titans to a sixth straight loss.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien praised the work of his halves Anthony Milford and Adam Clune with their kicking game and smart passing.

The pair had five try assists and three line-break assists between them.

Dominic Young takes a carry for Newcastle against the Titans. Ashley Feder/Getty Images

“I thought they were outstanding,” O’Brien said.

But now the real test comes.

The Knights host South Sydney next Friday night, one of three home games over the next month.

“It’s only one game … our number one focus will be replicating this next week against Souths.”

These two sides made the NRL finals last year but they languish among the also-rans this year with nine rounds left.

Still, nothing could bring relief to coach Adam O’Brien better than five tries in the opening half and three in the second.

The tally of eight was the most scored by the Knights in a game this season.

It was a different story for Titans fans with their losing streak now trailing back to Round 10 during Magic Round.

In the first half, winger Lee benefited twice from sublime passes from his halves and then from a pinpoint kick.

Lee’s hat-trick combined with a brace to Young in the 10th and 27th minutes.

Those efforts from the men patrolling the flanks gave the Knights a handy 22-0 lead at the break.

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It would have been healthier if kicker Tex Hoy’s radar had been a little more direct.

He missed four conversions in the opening 40 minutes.

In the second half, after Tanah Boyd was denied early by a Titans knock-on in the lead-up, fullback AJ Brimson made a 48-metre dash through the defence in the first play off a scrum.

Greg Marzhew crossed with Jamayne Isaako nailing two sideline conversions, to breathe some life into the game.

But with Lee scoring another two tries and Young getting his third, the curtain came down on the Titans once more.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook foreshadowed changes to his struggling side.

“We’ve got to have a look at the team and who is running out there now that’s for sure,” he said.