Knights rundown Cowboys in spirited comeback

The Knights came from 14-0 down to beat a tiring Cowboys side 16-14 in Townsville, the home side with the better of the play but a Leilua double was enough to give Newcastle victory in front of a crowd of 13,006.

Rick Stone will be proud of his sides' spirit and toughness after grinding away at the 14-point deficit. Although they weren't perfect for the majority of the game, giving away needless penalties and making silly errors, they managed to rope in a highly fancied Cowboys outfit.

The Knights had the first chance of the game in the third minute when Akuila Uate set his sights for the corner. The video ref denied him though after he stepped into touch. From there it was all the home side. The go forward of big men Matt Scott and Ben Hannant gave the Cowboys great field position for the majority of the first half.

Their dominance finally paid off as Ethan Lowe grabbed the first four pointer in the 16th minute. Johnathon Thurston put in a neat kick behind the Knights defensive line and the second rower beat Kurt Gidley to the ball and crashed over.

It only took three minutes for the Cowboys to snare their second as Scott was rewarded with a meat pie of his own. This time it was a Robert Lui kick that did the damage, as Gidley wasn't able to hang onto the awkward high ball. Scott picked up the scraps and it was 12-0 after 20 minutes to the Cowboys.

North Queensland continued to have the better of the play but weren't able to make it count as the Knights were somehow able to hang on. Thurston managed to kick a penalty goal in the 27th minute after Leilua collared Michael Morgan but that's as good as it got for the home side.

After tackling themselves to a standstill for most of the half, the Knights snuck a try at the stroke of halftime through Leilua. Paul Green would have been furious his side were only up by 10 at the break.

The second half was a much more even contest, as the Knights forwards began to aim up. Back rowers Robbie Rochow and Beau Scott did a lot of grunt work to drag their team back into the game.

Uate was able to finally get the try the Knights were craving in the 63rd minute. A clever offload from Rochow and a smart pass from Jarrod Mullen sent the winger over, and the fans at 1300SMILES Stadium began to get nervous as Newcastle pegged it back to 14-10.

Those nerves soon turned to panic when Leilua exploded through some tired defenders and crossed for his second with only six minutes to go. Roberts added the extras and the away team were in front for the first time.

The Cowboys had one last chance to send the game to golden point but weren't able to do so. Replacement winger kyle Feldt had a penalty shot 58 metres out after the siren but missed. The ball riffled of his boot and had the distance, but faded just wide.

The major injury concern out of the game was Justin O'Neill, who was stretchered off in the first half after his head hit the ground in a tackle and didn't return.

The Knights now travel to the Gold Coast to tackle the embattled Titans on Sunday evening whilst the Cowboys head to Brisbane to take on the Broncos in Friday night football.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Matthew Scott
2 points - Joseph Leilua
1 point - Jarrod Mullen

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (14)
Tries: Ethan Lowe, Matthew Scott
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Johnathan Thurston (1/1), Kyle Feldt (0/1)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (16)
Tries: Joseph Leilua (2), Akuila Uate
Conversions: Tyrone Roberts (2/3)

Welcome to our live coverage of the Cowboys v Knights in round 2 of the NRL. The Cowboys will be without winger Antonio Winterstein due to a family bereavement with Kyle Feldt coming into his spot. Kurt Gidley returns to captain the Knights at fullback meaning Tyler Randell drops of the bench. Watch for the explosive Sione Mata'utia making an impact for Newcastle off the pine!

1: The Cowboys get us underway in Townsville!

3: VIDEO REFEREE called upon for the Knights, Uate has crossed in the corner but we're checking the touchline.

3: NO TRY - Uate has indeed stepped on the chalk. Cowboys work it away from a scrum AND gain a penalty during the set.

8: The game is settling into a real contest with both teams completing their sets and kicking long at the end off their sets. Mullen launches one down straight to late inclusion Kyle Feldt

12: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Jason Taumalolo makes an unforced error.
Taumalolo spills his lollies as he ties to work it out of his own 20 metres

14: We're going upstairs! Possible try for Ethan Lowe as he dives on a perfectly placed Johnathon Thurston grubber

16: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Ethan Lowe. Kick to come.
Ethan Lowe is awarded his try after the video ref dismissed the Knights claim of a double movement.

16: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
JT makes no mistake and it's 6-0 to the Cowboys!

17: Concern for Justin O'Neill after his head hits the ground hard in a Kade Snowden tackle. Medicab has just arrived on the field.

17: Long delay in play as O'Neill gets loaded onto the stretcher. Thurston is questioning the refs as to whether they will receive penalty for the tackle. It was more bad luck than bad intent from Snowden.

17: O'Neill gets clapped off and we are back underway! Brilliant run from Michael Morgan straight away gaining 50 metres

18: Another potential Cowboys try! A Robert Lui bonb has caused confusion at the back for the Knights. Gidley drops the ball as big Matthew Scott picks it up and claims a four pointer.

18: Video ref tacking a while to make a call. Potential interference with Gidley as he went to catch the ball

19: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Matthew Scott. Kick to come.
The big man gets the green light! 10 nil to the Cowboys with JT lining up the conversion from in front

19: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
The co-captain makes no mistake and North Queensland are up 12 zip!

21: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
James McManus makes an unforced error.
The winger knocks on as he goes to pick it up at dummy half. Stone won't be happy with that one!

24: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Rory Kostjasyn makes an unforced error.
Absolute coach killer as the little hooker throws it forward to Robert Lui only two metres away! Cowboys were in attacking territory as well

26: Thurston takes a quick tap from a penalty and nearly goes straight through! The Australian halfback has stayed down after the tackle with what looks to be a head knock. All good now though

26: Joseph Leilua tackles Morgan high 15 metres out and JT points to the posts for two

27: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Penalty goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston throws it over and the Cowboys now have the safety of a fourteen point lead.

29: Word is that O'Neill is okay but won't be back tonight

31: The poor old Knights haven't had the sniff of an attacking chance since Uate's early effort. Cowboys controlling the play beautifully

33: The Cowboys almost create a try the harlem globetrotters would be proud of but Thurston knocks on after about the fourth offload.

37: Knights kicking game has been poor with Roberts and Mullen constantly finding Morgan on the fly. It doesn't help when they are forced to kick it inside their own 40 metres every time. Cowboys go forward to good

38: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Joseph Leilua. Kick to come.
Newcastle are on the board! Leilua crosses in the corner after a good offload from Robbie Rochow. Game on

39: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts unsuccessful.
Roberts misses from the sideline but the Knights will be happy they have something to work with at the break

40: Half time at 1300SMILES Stadium with the Cowboys 14-4 up! North Queensland had the majority of the pill and field position and could be up by more.

41: Roberts gets us underway and we are back in action! Can the Knights get some of the ball and claw back this lead? We are about to find out

43: Newcastles first set with the ball is brilliant, great go forward and cheeky chip at the end from Mullen…didn't lead to anything fruitful though

44: Knights get the first penalty of the second stanza after Matthew Wright is called offside from a kick.

46: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Ethan Lowe makes an unforced error.
The second rower drops a ball that hit him straight on the chest.

46: Beau Scott and Chris Houston upend JT and both teams come running in…. no punches thrown as Thurston finally regains his feet

48: Cowboys get their first set of the second half in the Knights 20 metre zone but Newcastle defend the set comfortably

50: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
David Fa'alogo makes an unforced error.
The big man off the bench puts one down in his own half

50: Uate cops a high shot from Thurston after slipping into the tackle. Gavin Badger puts JT on report

52: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Joseph Leilua makes an unforced error.
Leilua should have scored the Knights second of the match but he puts down Roberts' attacking bomb only five metres out from the try line.

54: The Knights get a penalty as Robert Lui is called offside in defence. 14th penalty of the game….Badger may be getting a bit whistle happy

56: Ex Broncos utility Jake Granville has looked lively since coming on five minutes ago for the Cowboys…. could be the spark that gets the Cowboys a game breaking try

58: Thurston intercepts a Snowden offload and the Cowboys are in the Knights danger area!

59: Kurt Gidley winds back the clock as he gets a break from the scrum but his legs didn't carry him as far as they use too!

61: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Korbin Sims makes an unforced error.
The youngest Sims brother puts it down only 10 metres out from the try line as the Knights were starting to look likely. Stone will be rope-able..

62: To compound the error Mullen now gives away a silly penalty for having hands on the ball in the ruck. Cowboys can't find touch though and the Knights get a life

63: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Akuila Uate. Kick to come.
The Fijian flyer punishes the Cowboys under 8's error as he crosses over for his first of the season. Great ball from Mullen put him in

64: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Roberts converts with ease and its on in Townsville!

66: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Sione Mata'utia makes an unforced error.
NO no no no no. The Australian rep puts down a straight forward Robert Lui kick and gives the Cowboys a chance to hit straight back

68: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Jason Taumalolo makes an unforced error.
Oh so close! The explosive back rower drops the ball over the try line as he goes to put it down. May have had some 'assistance' from the Knights defender though

70: Granville throws it straight to Knights halfback Roberts after creating half a break… disappointing finish to his darting run

72: BOOM! Mata'utia bumps over Thurston with ease on a kick return and keeps powering forward

73: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Joseph Leilua. Kick to come.
Leilua bursts through some very tired defence from close range…. very soft really. Credit Rochow for the offload that led to the try

74: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Roberts puts it over 10 metres from touch. The Knights are in front for the first time tonight and there is only five minutes to go!

76: Mullen puts in a classy touch finder at the end of the Knights set to wind down the clock… Cowboys look tired and need to find something if they want the two points

77: Mata'utia drops a HUGE JT bomb but is lucky it goes backwards

79: Thurston tests out the youngster at the back again but this time he hangs onto it. Great take

79: Knights only have to hold on for 40 more seconds and they'll win! Cows will get on more crack though!

79: Cowboys get a penalty 1 second from full-time and opt to take the penalty shot from 58 metres out!

80: UNSUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Penalty goal attempt by Kyle Feldt unsuccessful.
Winger Kyle Feldt takes the shot but it goes just wide… Knights come from nowhere to grab the victory!

So the Knights get the choccies after a tough comeback victory. Down 14-0 late in the first, Newcastle scored three unanswered tries to win 16-14! Thanks for joining us in what was an epic Saturday night of NRL action. Stay tuned for our match report!