A four-try haul to winger Fletcher Sharpe helped the Knights post a 34-18 win against the Wests Tigers in front of their home crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium.

While Sharpe’s performance was a standout as the Knights ran away with the game, it was a seesawing battle in the first half with the two teams trading tries for the opening exchanges, with the home side heading into the break leading 22-12 with Sharpe already securing his hat-trick.

Centre Krystian Mapapalangi, who was called in as starting centre in place of Dylan Lucas, who dropped out of the squad with a hamstring injury, scored his first try of his career to extend the lead for the Knights, before Wests Tigers clawed back the deficient with Jahream Bula showcasing his still for his side’s third try.

However, Sharpe’s fourth try, set up by a line break from veteran centre Dane Gagai snuffed out the chances of a comeback after Kalyn Ponga’s fifth successful conversion pushed them to a 34-18 lead.

Playing halfback for the second time this season, Phoenix Crossland set up a try and had two tackles breaks in his 110 run metres, while four Knights forwards ran for more than 100 metres.

The Tigers put in another spirited effort, but could not add the polish, with their cause also hampered by the loss of halfback Aidan Sezer midway through the second half with a suspected knee injury.

In next week’s games, the Knights will head to PointsBet Stadium on Sunday to take on the Sharks, while Wests Tigers are at home at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday to face the Rabbitohs.