Knights 16 Panthers 12
It is good enough for now, but it certainly won't satisfy Wayne Bennett.
With the supercoach waiting in the wings to take over in 2012, the Knights put a recent poor run of form behind them to win an entertaining but scrappy encounter against a
mostly disappointing Panthers outfit.
Newcastle had lost four of their last five matches, including that unlikely loss to the Warriors, and were missing some key players. But they showed just enough polish to be deserved winners.
There was no noticeable Origin hangover for Kurt Gidley, who was wearing the No7 jersey in Jarrod Mullen's absence and was involved in everything and kicked superbly - his goalkicking was ultimately the difference.
Masada Iosefa's second try in the 73rd minute, against the run of play, ensured a nervous finish for the home crowd but the Knights hung on to record a double over Penrith in 2011.
Though there was a lack of tries and real quality, this match had everything else. Bizarre errors, searing breaks, some brilliant defence and even a scrum win against the feed.
There was a particularly slapstick period midway through the second half. Knights fullback Wes Naiqama contrived to lose the ball after a stunning break, before the Panthers somehow lost the subsequent scrum.
The Knights then lost possession at the ruck, after a player fell over trying to play the ball; they received a penalty soon after, but Gidley missed touch with the kick.
These teams have been two of the most inconsistent this season. Penrith had a well documented nightmare start to the year - winning just two of their first eight games, which prompted the sacking of coach Matt Elliot.
Since then the mountain men have won three of their last four starts, to be on the cusp of the top eight.
Penrith definitely missed Luke Lewis, who made such an impact for NSW on Wednesday but was ruled out after a hamstring strain late in the Origin match. Newcastle winger Akuila Uate mixed some strong charges with needless handling errors.
Queensland prop Petero Civoniceva was the only other player to back up.
The Knights are currently missing Mullen (injured) and have lost Beau Henry (released to Titans) but look to have unearthed a future star in standoff Ryan Stig.
In his first game at this level, the 1.79m Stig displayed a left foot sidestep that brought back memories of a teenage Brad Fittler. He set up their first try and in the second half demonstrated an equally impressive step off his right foot to break the line.
This result continues a sorry record for the Panthers.
The Knights have been the bogey team for the West Sydney side, with the Panthers having won less than one in three of their encounters since the inception of the NRL in 1998.
Stig came up with a clever inside ball for Neville Costigan to score in the 16th minute after the home side had dominated the first quarter thanks to run of penalties. The Knights were unable to add further points in the first half, despite monopolising possession.
The Panthers opened their account in the 45th minute, with burly second rower Iosefa hauling in a slide rule pass from Walsh close to the line.
Uate restored the eight point advantage just past the hour mark, after receiving a nice flick pass from his centre and steamrolling over the top of Penrith No1 Lachlan Coote.
Knights 16 (N. Costigan, A. Uate tries; K. Gidley 4 goals), Panthers 12 (M. Iosefa 2 tries; L. Walsh 2 goals). Halftime: 8-0.
