Knights end Cowboys finals hope

Round 24
North Queensland Cowboys 12 v Newcastle Knights 20
at Dairy Farmers Stadium
Referee: Sean Hampstead

Match Summary:
The Newcastle Knights have defeated the North Queensland Cowboys 19-12 tonight at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville.

The Cowboys started the match strongly and they opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Brent McConnell threw a beautiful cut out pass to put Neil Sweeney into score and lead 6-0. The
Knights then hit back in the 34th minute when Anthony Quinn scored untouched to reduce the lead to 6-4.

The momentum had now switched to the Knights and they scored again right on the stroke of halftime to go in at the break leading 10-6. The Knights extended to 12-6 when Daniel Abraham converted a penalty goal, and they were soon in again when Jarrod Mullen scored an easy try from the scrum to give the visitors an 18-6 lead.

The Cowboys then clicked into gear after a try to Justin Smith in the 67th minute to reduce the deficit to 6. Despite the Cowboys coming close in the last 10 minutes Jarrod Mullen put the game out of reach with a field goal to give the Knights a 7 point lead with 2 minutes to go.

The Knights are now in a strong position as they come up with a gutsy win minus Andrew Johns to give them momentum heading into the finals. The Cowboys finals aspirations are now over for 2006 after a very disappointing last half of the year.

Scorers:
North Queensland Cowboys: 12
Tries: Justin Smith, Neil Sweeney
Goals: Neil Sweeney 1/1, Brent McConnell 1/1
Newcastle Knights: 19
Tries: Anthony Quinn(2), Jarrod Mullen
Goals: Daniel Abraham 3/4
Field Goals: Jarrod Mullen

By the Clock:
Welcome to Dairy Farmers Stadium in townsville for the round 24 clash between the Cowboys and the Knights.
The Cowboys will be looking to get back into the winners circle tonight to keep their faint hopes alive of making it into the top 8 by the end of the season, their form of late has been terrible. The Knights on the other hand will have to make do without Andrew Johns tonight and their record without him in the last 10 matches is 0-10.
Stay tuned for an interesting contest.

1 min: Cowboys kick off and get us underway

5 min: The Knights come up with the first error of the match and the Cowboys will go on the attack.

11 min: Stilll no score both teams are completing their sets and showing strong defence.

15 min: Goal line drop out to the Knights

16 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys open the scoring after a beautiful cut out pass from Brent McConnell puts Neil Sweeney in for the try in the corner. Sweeney converts from the sideline.
Cowboys 6-0

20 min: Steve Simpson loses the ball with the Knights hot on attack on the Cowboys tryline.

25 min: NEWS Possesssion: Cowboys 61% - Knights 39%

27 min: An impressive start from the Cowboys tonight.

34 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
On the back of a penalty the Knights spread the ball to an unmarked Quinn who scores in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful.
Cowboys 6-4

37 min: The Knights charge down the ball on the last tackle and almost come up with a try but the Cowboys just manage to get to the ball first.

39 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Quinn bags a bouble as the Knights keep the ball alive inside their own half and Mullen scoots down the wing to link up with Quinn and he runs 40 metres to score a nice try. Conversion successful
Knights 10-6

Halftime... The Cowboys were the better side for the majority of the first half but the Knights sprang into action with two tries late in the half to take a 4 point lead into the sheds. Stay tuned for the second half.

41 min: Knights kickoff to start the second half.

44 min: NEWS Danny Buderus on report for a high shot on Matt Bowen.

52 min: PENALTY GOAL Newcastle Knights
Daniel Abraham picks up another 2 points for the Knights after the Cowboys are penalised for a dangerous tackle.
Knights 12-6

54 min: The Cowboys kick out on the full from the restart.

56 min: TRY Newcastle Knights
Jarrod Mullen scores an easy try from the scrum going through some poor Cowboys defence. Conversion successful.
Knights 18-6

62 min: The Cowboys finals aspirations are slowly slipping away.

67 min: Off to the video refo for a possible Cowboys try.

67 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Justin Smith gets the benefit of the doubt after crashing through defence and it was doubtful as to wether he got the ball down. Conversion successful
Knights 18-12

71 min: NEWS The Cowboys are starting to throw everything at the Knights now.

73 min: NEWS Goal line drop out to the Knights, but the Cowboys come up with an error.

76 min: Time is the enemy now for the Cowboys as the Knights restart from the 20 metre line.

78 min: FIELD GOAL Newcastle Knights
Mullen puts the game out of reach for the Cowboys after he pots the field goal from 20 metres out.
Knights 19-12

78 min: FIELD GOAL Newcastle Knights
Mullen puts the game out of reach for the Cowboys after he pots the field goal from 20 metres out.
Knights 20-12

80 min: NEWS Carl Webb drops the ball when trying to reach out and score.

Fulltime...
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Jarrod Mullen (Knights)
2 - Danny Buderus (Knights)
1 - Carl Webb (Warriors)
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