Penrith punish rusty Roosters
10 hours ago | Aidan Edgecomb
South Sydney and North Queensland have played out a thrilling 20 all draw at Express Advocate Stadium this evening in front of a decent crowd.
The scores were locked at 20 all at the completion of eighty minutes but neither side could break the deadlock in extra time so we now have our first drawn game since the inception of the golden point rule at the beginning of last season.
The match itself was a see sawing affair with the lead changing hands several times. Souths took an 8-0 lead into the half time break but the Cowboys came out and dominated for much of the second half except when it mattered, in the dying moments.
The one point could prove costly for the Cowboys as a win would have elevated the Cowboys into the eight at the expense of the Canberra Raiders but it looks as though fate and luck has deserted with the Cowboys.
Souths can be proud of their efforts because virtually everyone had written them off but they showed determination and courage to come back late in the game and force extra time.
Scorers: RABBITOHS 20 Tries: Watts, Harrison x 2. Goals: Watts 4/4
COWBOYS 20 Tries: Bowman, Rauhihi, Campion Goals: Hannay 4/4
By the clock: 1st min: Kickoff! We are underway at Express Advocate Stadium in Gosford.
10th min: Still no score in the match as both sides keep it tight in the opening exchanges.
16th min: PENALTY GOAL - Souths. Brad Watts opens the scoring for the Rabbitohs. Souths 2-0.
30th min: Not much happening score wise. The Rabbitohs have had the better of the possession to date but have failed to turn it into points.
33rd min: TRY - Souths. Brad Watts scores the first try to give the Rabbitohs a handy lead not far out from half time. The Cowboys are looking ordinary and if they lose this game, they are no chance at making the top eight. Conversion successful. Souths 8-0.
HALF TIME: Souths find themselves eight points clear and have kept the Cowboys scoreless in the first half. Can they hang on and can the Cowboys make a comeback to stay in the hunt for a top eight berth.
44th min: TRY - Cowboys. Hooray, there is life in this game yet. Paul Bowman scores the Cowboys first to get them back in the hunt. Conversion successful. Souths 8-6.
48th min: TRY - Cowboys. Paul Rauhihi gives the Cowboys the lead for the first time in the match but can they hold on for the two points. Conversion successful. Cowboys 12-8.
53rd min: PENALTY GOAL - Cowboys. Josh Hannay makes no mistake and extends the Cowboys lead to a converted try. Cowboys 14-8.
56th min: TRY - Souths. Ashley Harrison gets the Rabbitohs back on level terms with the Cowboys with a good try. Conversion successful 14 all.
65th min: TRY - Cowboys. Kevin Campion breaksthe deadlock and with under fifteen to go, it may be enough to get them hom. Conversion successful. Cowboys 20-14.
75th min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Souths aren't dead after all and have come back at the death to hopefully send the game in extra time. Ashley Harrison was the try scorer. Conversion successful. 20 all.
FULL TIME: Scores are level so off we go to golden point.
The first half of extra time is up with no side breaking the deadlock. If the scores are level after the second half of extra time, the game will end in a draw.
FULL TIME: Neither side could break the deadlock so we have our first drawn match since the inception of the golden point rule at the start of last season.
----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - A Harrison (Souths) 2 - P Rauhihi (Cowboys) 1 - B Watts (Souths) -----------------------------------------