The North Queensland Cowboys have survived a tense final ten minutes to secure a 26-24 victory over the Newcastle Knights today.
Despite conceding the first try of the game, the Cowboys scored 5 of the next 6 tries to take what seemed an unassailable lead.
But two tries in two minutes to the Knights by Joey Leilia and Sione Mata’utia saw the game turn in an instant, however the Cowboys managed to cling onto their slender lead to secure their fifth straight win, after having lost their first 3 games. Meanwhile the Knights who were undefeated after 4 games have now lost their last 4 straight games.
Knights: 1. Kurt Gidley (c); 2. James McManus, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Akuila Uate; 6. Jarrod Mullen, 7. Tyrone Roberts; 8. Kade Snowden, 9. Adam Clydsdale, 10. Korbin Sims, 11. Chris Houston, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Jeremy Smith.
14. Tyler Randell, 15. David Fa’alogo, 17. Jack Stockwell, 18. Sione Mata’utia
Tries: Houston (13), Uate (53), Leilua (69), Mata’utia (71)
Goals: Roberts 4/4
Cowboys: 1. Lachlan Coote; 2. Justin O’Neill, 3. Tautau Moga, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Antonio Winterstein; 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c); 8. Matt Scott (c), 9. Jake Granville, 10. James Tamou, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo.
15. John Asiata, 16. Scott Bolton, 17. Ben Hannant, 19. Ray Thompson
Tries: Bolton (17), Coote (21), O’Neill (33, 42), Morgan (61)
Goals: Thurston 3/5
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match:
Knights: Akuila Uate
Cowboys: James Tamou