Tries to front rower James Howell and winger Heydon Dover in the second and third quarters put the Blues level 8-8 with the Knights National Youth Competition (NYC), under 20s, side heading into the final session.

But months of conditioning in the Newcastle camp proved the difference for the Knights who exploited a tired Bay defence to run in three tries in the closing period, pushing the final score out to 20-8.

But that was not enough to dishearten Northern Blues coach Robert Relf who sung the praises of his team’s desperate defence and improvised ball work.

‘‘We had done about 15 minutes ball work before this,’’ he said.

‘‘In defence we were really good, we scrambled very well.

‘‘I’m so proud of the effort the boys put in.’’

Also looking on in optimism was club president Ray Fewell who said apart from the gate takings from around 1000 spectators, the event gave the club plenty to look forward to in 2010.

‘‘There was probably about six regular first graders in that team, a lot of the others were under 19s players from last year who stepped up really well, those blokes aren’t afraid of anything,’’ he said.

The Blues next pre-season game is against a second string Wentworthville team from the NSW Cup, to be played at Tomaree No 1 Oval on February 27.

The Newcastle representative side overcame a composite Knights team 24-4 in Saturday’s main game.

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