Phins fly past sluggish Eels
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Cowboys class conquers Knights
The North Queensland Cowboys have made it back-to-back victories as they defeated the Newcastle Knights 32-12 at Hunter Stadium in front of 18,191.
Johnathan Thurston was the master and commander who guided the Cowboys to their second straight victory. His skillful hands created the play for his side to claim another two competition points.
The Knights cracked first points however as Junior Sa'u through broken play raced to the goal line. Tyrone Roberts with the kicking duties added the two points to see the Knights up 6-0 after 9 minutes.
Errors from the Knights hindered their field position during the first half and the Cowboys made them pay. Two tries in seven minutes saw the Cowboys hit the lead. The NRL's leading try scorer, Ashley Graham, ran off a lovely Brent Tate pass to get the Cowboys first points.
The Cowboys' second four-pointer was gifted to Ray Thompson as Matt Bowen created the play with a great run through the Knights line. Thurston with the conversion out wide struck it sweetly to add the extras, Cowboys 12-6 after 34 minutes.
Just before the half time siren, the Knights hit back with points. Chris Houston powered his way over off a pin-point pass from Jarrod Mullen. Roberts with the conversion added the extras. At the break, the game was locked at 12-all.
Johnathan Thurston's class broke the dead lock with a beautiful chip-kick to Michael Morgan who stole the ball from the Knights' defenders and crashed over. Thurston's boot extend the lead to 18-12 with 23 minutes until full time.
Ashley Graham claimed his second try of the evening as he dived for the whitewash after a masterful pass from Thurston. JT nailed the conversion from the sideline in typical fashion, Cowboys 24-12.
The Cowboys added a further eight points before the curtain fell on the match. Darius Boyd counted his lucky stars after he remained on the field after being penalised for pulling Matt Bowen off the ball. The Cowboys captalised and opted for the penalty goal to extend the lead to 26-12 with 3 minutes on the clock.
A 'soccer-style' kick-a-thon from the Cowboys on full time gave up the final points with Gavin Cooper awarded a try after four short kicks upfield. An amazing four-pointer closed the game for the Cowboys 32-12.
The Newcastle Knights were defeated in their second straight loss as they failed to score points in the second half. Despite the Knights crossing the line mutilple times they were denied on each occasion.
Next week the Cowboys head back home to open Dairy Farmers Stadium as they host the Penrith Panthers. Meanwhile the Knights will rest up in Newcastle to recover with a bye.
Match Details
Newcastle Knights 12 were defeated by North Queensland Cowboys 32
National Rugby League - Round 10 - Saturday May 12, 2012 7:30pm
Venue: Hunter Stadium
Referee: Matt Cecchin and Gavin Morris
Video Referee: Steve Clark
Touch Judges: Dan Eastwood and Nick Beashel
Crowd: 18,191
Halftime: Newcastle Knights 12 North Queensland Cowboys 12
Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Johnathan Thurston (5 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal)
2 Points - Matt Bowen
1 Point - Brent Tate
Newcastle Knights (12)
Tries: Chris Houston, Junior Sau
Conversions: Tyrone Roberts (2/2)
North Queensland Cowboys (32)
Tries: Ashley Graham (2), Gavin Cooper, Ray Thompson, Michael Morgan
Field Goals: Matt Bowen (0/1)
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (5/5)
Penalty Goals: Johnathan Thurston (1/1)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome League Lovers to Super Saturday as we bring you LIVE coverage from Hunter Stadium in Newcastle as the Knights host the visiting North Queensland Cowboys.
A few changes a shuffle for both sides. Firstly for the Knights, Richie Fa'aoso has been ruled out with Chris Adams making his debut. Willie Mason gets a starting spot with Evarn Tuimavave shifted to the bench.
Meanwhile for the Cowboys. No change to the starting 13, however a shuffle to their interchange bench sees Michael Morgan (19) replace the suspended James Segeyaro
Kick off is set for 7:30PM, join us then for all the live updates.
If you are on Twitter be sure to tag your tweets with the official hashtag #NRLnewnql. Also you can follow us @LeagueUnlimited for all your Rugby League News and Updates.
FULL TIME in the Toyota Cup has seen a 28-all draw play out between the Knights and the Cowboys
The Cowboys making their way out onto a packed Hunter Stadium.
The cheers ring out as the Newcastle Knights are greeted by their home fans. Kick off moments away.
1 min: We are a GO as the Knights kick off, the Cowboys get the first use through a hit up from James Tamou
1 min: First set from the Cowboys is a good controlled one, no error. Knights work it off their goal line
2 min: The Knights looking dangerous early with Uate making a break through the line. On the last tackle a short ball was thrown but the Cowboys came up with it. No dice for the Knights.
2 min: The Knights almost coughing up points as the ball was lost by Darius Boyd at the back. Luckily the ball was cleaned up by McManus who raced off his line to be met by the defence.
3 min: First penalty to the Knights as Chris Houston was held too long in the ruck. Kick for touch taken by Mullen as the Knights attack just short of the half way line
4 min: Tahu coming close to the line on the 4th tackle but the Knights held up. Last play the kick to the in goal collected by Ray Thompson but he failed to get back to the field of play. As a result the Knights earn a line drop out.
6 min: Again the Knights held up over the line as Neville Costigan was denied. Knights on the last attacking the line again but Kane Linnett stops the points leaking. Great goal line defence early from the Cowboys.
7 min: Great kick from the Cowboys as it when 60 metres off the boot, they looked for a 40/20 but not to be as McManus collected the ball. There is some issue and concern for Neville Costigan.
9 min: TRY
TRY! Newcastle Knights
The Knights getting the zero tackle call and the broken play saw Junior Sau crack the line and race to the line. Tyrone Roberts with an easy conversion from in front is successful.
Newcastle Knights 6-0
14 min: Ash Graham with a great leap for the ball in goal took it well to earn his side a 20 metre restart. The knights are pumped up in attack tonight.
15 min: Video Referee Decision for the Cowboys, possible double movement from Matt Scott.
15 min: NO TRY! The video referee denies the Cowboys points and the Knights following get a penalty for a double movement.
17 min: Under pressure on his goal line Matt Bowen took the Knights bomb easily. They earn a Knights following for an offside call, the Cowboys attack from their 40 metre line.
17 min: Video Referee Decision for the Cowboys, possible try for Kane Linnett. Looking at the grounding before the dead ball line
17 min: NO TRY! Kane Linnett has been denied points. The call going to the Knights as the video referee has deemed Uate's hand grounded the ball first.
19 min: The Cowboys pepper the Knights line from the ensuing drop-out, the last tackle grubber dropped by Tyrone Roberts for Newcastle backwards in-goal, he grounds it. Cowboys will get the ball back again.
21 min: Left to right, and eventually the Cowboys spill it on the last. Knights ball.
22 min: Oh dear. Forward pass inside their own half. Cowboys scrum just short of the Newcastle 20m.
27 min: TRY Northern Storm
TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Continued errors coming out of their own half cost the Knights eventually, a short ball from Brent Tate before the line sees Ash Graham grab his tenth try of the season. Thurston converts immaculately from out wide to level the scores
6 all
29 min: Adam Cuthbertson held up over the line for the Knights, Newcastle with a chance to hit back here.... but the quick hands out to the left eventually see the ball catapulted into touch.
29 min: Last tackle play from JT sees the ball kicked downfield. Knights have it off their goal line.
31 min: Matt Bowen at speed returns the ball off the kick with the Cowboys attacking 30 metres from their own line.
32 min: Kane Linnett is busting up the Knights defence as he dummy run the ball. However Uate powered him over the touchline. So the Knights have the ball through a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
33 min: Jarrod Mullen stabs a kick downfield and it finds the touchline. Cowboys will work it off their 10 metre line through a scrum feed.
34 min: TRY
TRY! North Queensland Cowboys
Brent Tate off a Matt Bowen pass opened the line to streaked downfield. He linked up with beautiful pass to Ray Thompson before he scored. Wonderful Rugby League from the Cowboys. Thurston with the conversion attempt adds the extras.
North Queensland Cowboys 12-6
36 min: Play is back underway after a stoppage with JT revealing a strange piece of strapping around his leg and shoulder. However the Cowboys have the ball from the kick off.
39 min: TRY
TRY! Newcastle Knights
Chris Houston powered his way over the goal line with a lovely short ball from Jarrod Mullen. The defence couldn't stop him as the Knights hit back. Tyrone Roberts with the conversion adds the extras as the half time siren sounds.
12 all
40 min: Half time in Newcastle at Hunter Stadium sees both sides locked at 12-all. It has been a see-sawing affair but the Knights with late points got themselves back into the contest.
Both sides making their way out for the second half as we are moments from getting back underway.
41 min: The time is back on for the second half as both sides are locked at 12-all. Knights with the first use of the ball.
41 min: KNOCK ON! Quick hands off the scrum feed has seen Uate knock on. The Cowboys escape the possible raid from the Knights.
42 min: Ray Thompson is down now after a head clash with James McManus. Time has been called off.
42 min: Thompson is okay to continue as he moves out to the wing. Cowboys attack on the 2nd tackle deep in their own half.
44 min: Thurston found open space as he dummied through the Knights line, he linked with Ash Graham on the left wing but the Knights covering defence forced him into touch. The Knights have a scrum feed on their 20 metre line.
47 min: Thompson kicking on the end of the play but the kick allowed to roll dead by James McManus. The Knights have the ball from a 20 metre tap.
48 min: Here is a break now from Uate, a strong run through the line to gain 30 metres.
49 min: A good kick from the Knights off the boot of Darius Boyd as Winterstein forced the ball dead. The Knights earn a line drop out now.
50 min: Time off with Jarrod Mullen down in play, a possible late hit. The trainer is with him on the far side of the field.
51 min: Time back on now with Mullen staying on the field for the time being. Possible rib injury. Meanwhile the Cowboys have the ball as they look to work it off their goal line.
Official Crowd tonight at Hunter Stadium is 18,191.
52 min: Jarrod Mullen's kicking boot is okay despite the injury. The cowboys however take the ball on the full and earn a 20 metre tap.
53 min: Uate forced to play at the ball and kick it dead. The Cowboys get themselves another line drop out.
54 min: KNOCK ON! Brent Tate in the act of attempting to find the line has lost the ball with McManus' help. So the Knights get a scrum feed 10 metres out from the goal line.
56 min: Change over for the Knights as Mason lost control on the last tackle. The cowboys playing deep in their own half.
57 min: TRY
TRY! North Queensland Cowboys
Thurston with a beautiful chip kick over the Knights line saw Michael Morgan steal the ball from Roberts and race to the line. Great short ball play from the Cowboys. JT converts to make the lead a converted try.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
59 min: JT after the try on the 4th tackle opted for a low long kick downfield with the Knights returning the ball up to their 20 metre line.
61 min: The Cowboys turning defence into attack with Ash Graham coming up with the ball. JT in the set had a massive hit on Boyd. However the Cowboys with possession 10 metres out from their line.
62 min: KNOCK ON! The Knights knocking on as Sau lost the ball forward. The Cowboys earn a scrum feed on halfway.
63 min: TRY Northern Storm
TRY! North Queensland Cowboys
Thurston in the action again with lovely passing as he linked with his winger again in Ash Graham to score. He showed skill to leap for the goal line to get his second of the night. JT with the conversion on the touchline as nailed it to add the two points.
North Queensland Cowboys 24-12
65 min: JT not happy with the forward pass call, but Matt Bowen was pulled back off his run. If the pass was allowed Bowen was away to score under the posts. However the Knights pack down a scrum.
67 min: FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT
In broken play Matt Bowen opted for a field goal attempt but unlucky for him it hit the uprights.
North Queensland Cowboys 24-12
69 min: The Cowboys pinged for a poor play of the ball, as James Tamou failed to get his feet. The ball did get away however before getting pulled up as JT looked for a one point. Regardless of all that the Knights have possession 10 metres out from their line.
71 min: Forward pass against the Knights as McManus' pass to Boyd called back. The Knights spread the ball wide to try and find a hole but unable to get going thanks to a forward pass. The call with the Cowboys as they get the change over play.
72 min: A poor kick from JT as it found the arms of Boyd on the full. The Knights with the ball 20 metres out from their line.
73 min: KNOCK ON! Zeb Taia made it over the line but in the grounding knocked on as he bounced it down. The Cowboys quickly racing out to the 20 metre line for a quick tap.
75 min: Mullen kicked to the in goal area and Matt Bowen positioned himself to take it on the full. He took it well and raced out to the 20 metre line and earned his side a penalty for catching Kade Snowden offside.
77 min: Darius Boyd is a very lucky boy after he was not sent to the sin bin for a professional fault as he pulled Matt Bowen off the ball. Matt Bowen almost claimed points with a lovely chip and chase but Boyd pulled him off the ball.
77 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY GOAL! Cowboys The Cowboys add the extras off the boot of JT as the Cowboys got the penalty with Boyd pulling Bowen off the ball.
North Queensland Cowboys 26-12
79 min: KNOCK ON! The knights had a chance to get points as they came up with a one on one strip. However quick hands from Costigan saw him drop it cold. Scrum feed packs down for the Cowboys 10 metres out from their line.
80 min: Video Referee Decision for the Cowboys, a little game of soccer from the Cowboys has seen them score a try
80 min: TRY
TRY! Benefit of the Doubt North Queensland Cowboys
On the siren the Cowboys thanks to Matt Bowen have played a 50 metre game of soccer to score. Four kicks from the Cowboys brought up a four-pointer on the siren. JT with the conversion added the extras.
North Queensland Cowboys 32-12