Reynolds Kicks Cowboys to loss

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Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys

Adam Reynolds put on an absolute masterclass, especially with his kicking game, to spearhead the exciting Broncos attack as they recorded a resounding 38-12 win over the Cowboys.

Before play began, both sides gave a moments silence to pay tribute to the late Carl Webb, who represented both sides in his career.

The Broncos took just 3 minutes to get the scoreboard moving when Billy Walters at dummy half and 10 metres from the Cowboys line, went for a scoot, looked for a support runner but then just decided to keep going himself and he burrowed over for a try. Adam Reynolds converted and then 2 minutes later, Reynolds extended the lead with a penalty goal.

In the 13th minute, Brisbane crossed again when Reynolds put up a bomb. Scott Drinkwater let it bounce and Ezra Mam cleaned up, passed to Fletcher Baker who threw a brilliant long ball out to Kotoni Staggs who then sent Jesse Arthars over to score untouched. Reynolds converted from the sideline.

Just 2 minutes later the Cowboys hit back when Murray Taulagi was sent down the sideline, before he kicked back in-field where Valentine Holmes caught it cleanly. Despite being tackled from behind, he still managed to get across the line to score. He then converted his own try.

In the 19th minute the Broncos marched upfield with ease and then on the last Reynolds grubbered behind the Cowboys line and found Staggs flying through who dived, regathered and slid in to score all in one motion. Reynolds failed to convert, hitting the upright.

The Broncos very nearly scored again in the 25th minute but a strong tackle on Jordan Riki saw the ball go forward out of his hands to Tristan Sailor, who dived over for a try, which was immediately disallowed.

The Cowboys got themselves a second try in the 31st minute when Drinkwater got put into a gap on the inside and he raced away, stepped Sailor and then dived over to score in the right corner. Holmes from the sideline nails the conversion.

The Broncos skipped back out to an 8 point lead 5 minutes from halftime when he slotted a gift penalty goal.

In the 38th minute Reynolds put up another great kick which the Cowboys again failed to take cleanly. Cobbo looked to have cleaned up the loose ball and scored, but the bunker and on-field ref agreed that he knocked the ball on. At halftime the Broncos had a 20-12 lead.

The Cowboys very nearly scored just 2 minutes into the second half when Taulagi attempted to tap back a kick, but it went forward to Townsend, who dived over for what he thought was a try. 

The Broncos looked to have extended their lead in the 50th minute when Drinkwater threw a cut-out pass, but Cobbo intercepted it and raced 95 metres to get to the tryline, just as Tom Dearden tackled him around the legs. The referee awarded the try but the bunker found that Dearden got him into touch at the very last second.

The Broncos finally extended their lead in the 55th minute when Tyson Smoothy at dummy half and close to the Cowboys line, stood and turned right, almost threw a dummy, which fooled everyone and then barged over to score. Reynolds converted.

Brisbane crossed again in the 70th minute when Ezra Mam at first receiver, changed direction, grubbered into the Cowboys in-goal for himself and he planted the rolling ball for a great solo try. Reynolds converted.

With 5 minutes remaining, Reynolds went to the line and then grubbered for Corey Oates following through, who regathered and scored. Reynolds converted. The Broncos record a convincing 38-12 victory.