Newcastle have climbed back into the NRLW top four with a convincing 36-16 win over Parramatta in a clash bizarrely delayed by a lack of medical staff.

Kick-off at the Eels' Eric Tweedale Stadium was due to take place at 11am on Saturday, but the match could not start without an appropriately qualified paramedic present, as required by NRL regulations.

When the game finally started at 11.43am local time, almost 45 minutes behind schedule, the Knights were electric as they dominated the third-placed Eels.

The back-to-back reigning premiers looked back to their domineering best after consecutive losses ended their 11-game unbeaten streak and saw them fall out of the places.

Tries to Tamika Upton, Olivia Higgins, Lilly-Ann White and Abigail Roache saw them run out to a 20-0 lead in the first 20 minutes.

Newcastle coach Ben Jeffries was pleased with the maturity his players showed to not be unsettled by the delay.

"We started the game really well," he said.

"Really happy with how they responded to that.

"I think some leaders took control in that situation."

The fixture was the first NRLW or NRL game ever hosted at the small western Sydney venue.

Host clubs are generally responsible for booking a paramedic to be present at NRLW games.

The NRL is expected to look into the circumstances of the delay.

The Eels threatened a comeback with three tries from Rosemarie Beckett, Mahalia Murphy and Cassey Tohi-Hiku in the space of 14 minutes, but the Knights held their nerve.

Fullback Upton starred with two try assists and a line-break. She brought up her brace and sealed the game with a dazzling 70-metre try in the final minute.

In Saturday's second game, which kicked off before the day's first game had concluded, North Queensland all but ended Canberra's season with a 28-18 victory.

The Raiders' fourth loss in a row means they remain stuck in eighth place and unable to reach 12 competition points — last season's cut-off for a finals berth.

Jasmine Peters and Vitalina Naikore scored two tries apiece as North Queensland led from the second minute to the final whistle.

Krystal Blackwell tormented the Raiders defence after being shifted to fullback with regular number one Fran Goldthorp ruled out with injury.

The 21-year-old produced the play of the game, leaving the Canberra defence for dead with a blistering length-of-the-field try to give the Cowboys an eight-point advantage in the 12th minute.

After the Raiders scored through Felice Quinlan and Sophie Holyman, Simaima Taufa crashed over with five minutes to go to close the gap to one try.

But Peters' second of the afternoon put paid to the Raiders' incipient comeback and their hopes of a maiden finals run.

AAP