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5 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
In an exciting clash, the Newcastle Knights have come away with victory at EnergyAustralia Stadium with a 34-26 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys this afternoon.
It was looking ominous for the Knights and their fans at half time when the Cowboys lead 18-10 and again midway through the second half when the visitors were looking solid at 26-22 ahead.
But the gritty Knights, missing several key players for this clash, knuckled down and ground out a hard fought victory in a see-sawing affair.
In what could have been their first ever victory at Newcastle, the Cowboys started slowly but burst back into the contest in the 31st minute with a try to Matt Sing. A further two tries to Bowen and Myles snatched an unlikely lead for the Cowboys at half time.
The second half started well for the Knights with Simpson and Rudder getting them back in the clash before Bowen struck again to put the Cowboys up 26-22 with 15 minutes of play left.
Then the experience of Buderus took over, with the clever hooker scoring before Quinn put the result beyond doubt with a four pointer in the final minute.
A disappointing end to a good season by the Cowboys, not being able to match it with an under-strength Newcastle team. But it was a good turn-around from the from the thumping they were on the end of a few weeks ago by the Knights. Next season is looking favourable with a few key signings and a more settled look about the squad.
For the Knights, they may do some damage in the semi?s if they get their full team on the park, but probably can?t go all the way without the leadership and guidance of Andrew Johns.
Leagueunlimited.com Player of the Year Awards
3 ? D Buderus (Knights) 2 ? M Bowen (Cowboys) 1 ? K Gidley (Knights)
Sunday 7 September 2003 3:00 PM EnergyAustralia Stadium Referee: Steve Lyons Video Referee: Mick Lewis Scorers: KNIGHTS Tries: Buderus 2, K Gidley, Simpson, Rudder, Quinn Goals: Abraham 5/6 COWBOYS Tries: Bowen 2, Sing, Myles Goals: Bowen 5/5
By the clock:
The Cowboys kick-off and the game has begun...
NEWS: Five minutes gone and the Cowboys making a few mistakes and as a result doing plenty of defence.
NEWS: Ten minutes gone and still no score here at Energy Australia Stadium. Cowboys getting a bit more possession now with Campion heavily involved and Parsons for the Knights.
NEWS: Fifteen minutes elapsed and scores are still locked at nil-all. Campion with 14 tackles and Parsons with 13. Rauhihi and Buderus not far behind, both with 10.
20 min: TRY - Newcastle. Buderus breaks the dead-lock with a bustling try. Newcastle 4 Cowboys 0.
21 min: Conversion unsuccessful by Daniel Abraham and the score remains 4-0 in favour of the Knights.
27 min: TRY - Newcastle. Kurt Gidley extends the lead for the home side and takes the scores to 8-0 in favour of the Knights.
27 min: Abraham converts this one and the score now reads Knights 10 Cowboys 0.
31 min: TRY - North Queensland. Matt Sing hits back for the Cowboys and posts another four pointer in a bumper year for him. Knights lead 10-4 late in the first half.
33 min: Conversion successful by Matt Bowen and the score moves to 10-6 in favour of the Knights.
36 min: TRY - North Queensland. Matt Bowen goes in for the visitors as they make a late charge in the first half. Scores lock at 10-all with a kick to come.
38 min: Bowen converts to take a handy 12-10 lead for the Cowboys heading into the break.
40 min: TRY - North Queensland. David Myles grabs a timely try for the Cowboys as they streak away right on the halftime hooter. Cowboys 16 Knights 10.
40 min: Bowen converts and the scores are 18-10 in favour of North Queensland at halftime.
And the Knights get us underway in the second half, trailing 18-10 infront of their home crowd...
50 min: TRY - Newcastle. Big Steve Simpson crashes over and gets the home side back in the game. Cowboys 18 Knights 14.
52 min: Abraham converts to shrink the lead by two. Cowboys 18 Knights 16.
54 min: PENALTY GOAL - Cowboys. Bowen extends the lead to four with a penalty goal and having a good day with the boot. Cowboys 20 Knights 16.
58 min: TRY - Newcastle. Sean Rudder scores to level the contest at 20-all.
60 min: Abraham converts to push the home team ahead 22-20 with twenty minutes remaining.
64 min: TRY - North Queensland. Bowen goes in again, having a great day. Lead changes hands again with the Cowboys infront 24-22.
65 min: Bowen converts and the scores are now Cowboys 26 Knights 22.
74 min: TRY - Newcastle. Buderus goes in again to lock up the scoreline at 26-all.
75 min: Abraham converts to take a 28-26 lead for the Knights over the Cowboys.
80 min: TRY - Newcastle. Anthony Quinn seals the game for the Knights with another four pointer. Knights 32 Cowboys 26.
80 min: Abraham puts the icing on the cake with a good conversion and rounds out the game at 34-26 for Newcastle.