Leading 14-0 at halftime, Newcastle fans were starting to believe they were closing in on consecutive wins for the first time in a long time.
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Alas, up against a Penrith side that's quickly becoming second-half specialists, they copped 30 unanswered points after halftime with the Panthers running out 30-20 winners.
Though Knights fans may be used to losing, the nature of the defeat left some understandably disappointed.
It is the hope that kills you as a Knights fan. Almost perfect 1st half, followed by crumbling to pieces in the 2nd #NRLKnightsPanthers
— Ryan Millward (@fry_z) May 21, 2017
So much promise, but so disappointing at the same time. #NRLKnightsPanthers #nrl @NRLKnights
— Samdub (@samdwilson) May 21, 2017
In fact, even those that don't support Newcastle are starting to feel bad for them.
It used to be funny to bag out the knights. Now, it's as sad as poking a dead dog in an alleyway. #NRLKnightsPanthers
— Matthew Goodwin (@mattg76) May 21, 2017
For the Panthers, it was a repeat of last week's come from behind effort with a scoreless first-half followed by a near perfect second 40 minutes and rugby league supporters are starting to notice a pattern.
I think I'll only watch the second half of games in 2017. #NRLKnightsPanthers
— David Olsen (@DDsD) May 21, 2017
Great news. Penrith finally put together 80 minutes of football. Bad news, it's 80 in total and it's taken two games. #NRLKnightsPanthers
— The Hoofman (@Hoofer66) May 21, 2017
Penrith may as well just stay in the sheds til halftime then run out, they're like greyhounds, boy they love a chase #NRLKnightsPanthers
— Paul Kneeshaw (@Stick_Beetle) May 21, 2017