NRL: Knights grind down Bulldogs

Kevin Naiqama of the Knights runs with the ball during the round four NRL match between the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Newcastle Knights. Photo / Getty Images.

Newcastle inflicted the first defeat of Des Hasler's reign at Canterbury with a grinding 20-6 NRL win at ANZ Stadium today.

The Knights, under Wayne Bennett, have endured a sluggish start to the season, losing two of three games, but they produced their most convincing performance this year running in three tries and holding the Bulldogs scoreless until the 79th minute.

The Bulldogs were also hit by the loss of halfback Trent Hodkinson early in the first half, with the former Manly star limping off with a medial ligament injury to his left knee that will sideline him for up to six weeks.

The Knights displayed all the hallmarks of a Bennett side, playing efficient and risk-free football, and it paid dividends as the Bulldogs' attack failed to fire in the face of some excellent defence from the visitors.

Knights skipper Kurt Gidley made a surprise return to the side just two weeks after dislocating his shoulder, and the NSW utility was involved in the build-up to his side's first try scored by Richie Fa'aoso after seven minutes.

The big front-rower linked up well with fellow prop Kade Snowden and raced under the posts to give Gidley the simple task of tapping over the conversion.

The Knights constantly tested Bulldogs dangerman Ben Barba with the high ball and although the young fullback coped well with the barrage, he was unable to have any influence going forward as the Knights smothered any of his attacking forays.

Jarrod Mullen extended his side's lead midway through the opening half, spotting a gap in the Bulldogs' defence before lunging underneath a Barba tackle to score, with Gidley adding the second of his four goals.

Gidley stretched the advantage early in the second period with a penalty and the Knights controlled the pace game, with veteran hooker Danny Buderus showing all his experience with a man-of-the-match performance.

An error count of 15 and a completion rate of 62 per cent was the story of the day for the Bulldogs, who simply ran out of ideas in the second half.

And it was no surprise when the Knights went over for a third try, with Alex McKinnon scoring his first for the club eight minutes from time.

Joel Romelo gave the home crowd of 20,701 something to cheer about with the last play of the game, with Steve Turner kicking the conversion.

-AAP