The Manly Sea-Eagles ventured to Townsville and were forced into golden point in a tight battle with the North Queensland Cowboys, with Daly Cherry-Evans kicking the match-winner.
Manly were looking ominous from the outset, scoring a try in the fourth minute with Cherry-Evans ran on the short side, dummied and then threaded the needle with a pass between Viliami Vailea and Murray Taulagi, finding Jason Saab unmarked who scored in the right corner. Reuben Garrick converted from the sideline.
The Cowboys should've levelled the scores in the 10th minute when Chad Townsend was in the clear and just had to fall over the line to score, but he dropped the ball cold. Three minutes later though he redeemed himself when he sent a lovely cut-out pass to Kyle Feldt, who ran down the sideline before grubbering infield where Townsend regathered and scored. Valentine Holmes converted.
The Cowboys very nearly took the lead in the 18th minute when Jordan McLean made a break and then sent a ball to Jermeiah Nanai who was in the clear and was about to score but the referee ruled the pass forward.
In the 32nd minute Scott Drinkwater made a break and sent a pass outside to Taulagi but Garrick intercepted, saving another possible Cowboys try.
In the 36th minute Manly reclaimed the lead when Saab twisted to get across the Cowboys line for a try. Garrick converted from out wide again, to give Manly a 12-6 lead at the break.
Manly scored first just 3 minutes after the break when Griffin Neame spilled the ball near the Manly line. Jake Trbojevic cleaned it up and then passed to Tolutau Koula who broke through the line and raced 70 metres before linking with Saab, who stepped inside the cover defender and waltzed over to score a brilliant try. Garrick converted.
The Cowboys got themselves back into the game in the 53rd minute when Reuben Cotter received a flat ball in the line, busted through a tackle and scores. Holmes converted. The Cowboys levelled the scores just 3 minutes later when Feldt tip-toed down the sideline before diving to score in the corner. Holmes converted from out wide.
In the 74th minute Manly received a penalty and Garrick kicked a penalty goal to give Manly a 20-18 lead. A minute later Scott Drinker kicked a brilliant two point field goal from 43 metres out to level the scores.
The final three minutes saw Cherry-Evans miss one shot at field goal and Townsend miss 3 times, sending the game into golden point.
Holmes had two shots at field goal, both of which missed before Cherry-Evans sealed the game with the match-winning field goal in the 83rd minute.