Cowboys shine post-Origin with comfortable victory

v BYE

The North Queensland Cowboys have cruised over the Newcastle Knights at 1300SMILES Stadium in Saturday night football with a comfortable 46-16 victory in front of 14,651 fans.

Antonio Winterstein opened the Cowboys account as the line was unattended by the Knights as the quick shift caught defenders out of position. After 10 minutes, the Cowboys led 6-0 with the addition of a Johnathan Thurston conversion. 

The Knights did reply with points of their own at the mid-point of the first half as Nathan Ross fired up his boosters with a surging 50 metre run to craft Cory Denniss' four-pointer. The game all locked up at 6-all at the 20th minute. Sadly for the Knights, Ross would not return for the second half after a calf tear.

Ray Thompson capped of his 100th game in the NRL as he bagged two tries for the Cowboys. His first came at the 25th minute as his speed split the Knights defence at the posts. Jake Granville provided the foundation to bring up the 12-6 lead. 

Sandwiched between the two Thompson tries saw Gavin Cooper awarded his four-pointer by the Bunker as he showed a well-timed dummy at the line. Cooper racks up his 50th try in career in North Queensland. 

Thompson secured his second try in the 35th minute as John Asiata threw a pin-point short pass at the goal line. North Queensland held a 24-6 lead as both sides took a break after 40 minutes.

Jake Granville started the second half strongly as he posted the Cowboys 5th try of the night. John Asiata again in the action as his hands led to another four-pointer. Cowboys 30-6.

The Knights invited Kyle Feldt to grab another Cowboys four-pointer as the defence pushed too far infield to run in untouched. This was followed minutes later as Rory Kostjasyn did what Ray Thompson couldn't in the previous play and reach over the try line to make it a 42-6 lead at the 60th minute.

Jake Mamo gave the Knights supporters something to cheer about as they raided the Cowboys short right side defence to bolt 50 metres. Newcastle added their second try to the board, however, trailed 42-10 as 13 minutes remained. 

Justin O'Neill added a try assist to his stats as he sent Kyle Feldt over the try line for his second by way of Jonathan Thurston as the Cowboys set play was excitedly perfectly. Thurston was given an early mark after his failed conversion with five minutes left.

The visiting Knights would have the final say at the 80th minute as Lachlan Fitzgibbon was awarded his four-pointer by the Bunker courtesy of a well-weighted Trent Hodkinson grubber kick. 

Newcastle turn home next week with an uphill battle after their 30 point defeat as they face the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile the Cowboys travel south to Cronulla as they prepare for the Sharks in Monday night football.