The Cowboys outlast the Knights in an injury plagued ANZAC classic

In an exciting game of attrition at Hunter Stadium, the North Queensland Cowboys have out-lasted the Newcastle Knights to win a close ANZAC Day game where injuries were a-plenty, as was the action.

When Jason Taumololo suffered what looks to be a medial ligament strain on the very first set of six of the game and then Jake Granville suffering a head-knock which would see him fail a concussion test in the 6th minute, the Cowboys were under-manned and under pressure early.

Chris Houston strolled over for an easy try in the 12th minute after the video referee overturned a decision just minutes earlier and the Knights lead 6-0. It could have been a long ANZAC afternoon for the Cowboys, but they hit back quickly after a clever one on one strip from Johnathon Thurston on Kurt Gidley which lead to a Scott Bolton try.

On the ensuing set from the kick-off, Lachlan Coote, who had an excellent game, cut inside Jarrod Mullen and scored a neat try. His performance at the back showed glimpses of what we know he is capable of. The Cowboys were making the most of their opportunities and seven minutes out from half-time, following unforced errors from both teams, the Cowboys were in again though Justin O'Neill.

Jarrod Mullen, having just suffered an accidental knee to the head, was on the ground twice in the lead-up to the O'Neill try and would take no further part in the game. A bad loss for the Knights in an important game.

The half-time break saw some much needed relief for both teams as wounds were licked and heads rested.

It didn't take long for the Cowboys to stretch the lead in the second half. Ray Thompson scooted from dummy half and set up Justin O'Neill down the right side for his second. The Knights didn't look in the game at this stage, especially when their half combination was in tatters.

It took some Akuila Uate magic to bring the Knights to life. He cut through the Cowboys defence in scintillating fashion and ran 58 metres to score under the posts. It was 20-10 and the Knights finally seemed to have fight.

The fight was needed as the Cowboys extended their margin in the 61st minute following multiple sets on the Newcastle line. Michael Morgan scored an excellent individual effort that would prove to be the match winner for the North Queensland team.

The Knights made a game of it however, which was fitting for a rousing ANZAC Day clash. Leilua scored a strong try in the 68th minute following some strong running from Tariq Sims and straight after the restart, Tyrone Roberts cut through the middle of the Cowboys and passed to Sione Mata'utia who pushed off a couple of tackles to score a fantastic try. The crowd was pumped, the score was within 2 points following the conversion and we thought we were in for an exciting last 8 minutes.

Errors will come back to haunt the Knights however. Unforced errors at critical times from Kurt Gidley, Tyrone Roberts and Sione Mata'utia would see the Cowboys get away with this one. After the torrid injury toll for the Cowboys in the first half, they saw out a close win, which gives them their fifth win in a row and a share of the competition lead after eight rounds. A home game against the Bulldogs in two weeks awaits them.

For the Newcastle Knights, it was a game that was there for the taking. Despite periods of poor defence and lacklustre attack, the chance to win the game in the final ten minutes was theirs, but for unfortunate errors. Their season has seen them start with four wins and then follow it up with four losses to be sitting mid table. They take on the Sea-Eagles in Manly in round 9.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - James Tamou
2 points - Lachlan Coote
1 point - Akuila Uate

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (24)
Tries: Chris Houston, Akuila Uate, Joseph Leilua, Sione Mata'utia
Field Goals:
Conversions: Tyrone Roberts (4/4)
Penalty Goals:

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (26)
Tries: Scott Bolton, Lachlan Coote, Justin O'Neill (2), Michael Morgan
Field Goals:
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (3/5)
Penalty Goals:

The Newcastle Knights have taken Joey Tapine off their extended bench, with Sione Mata'utia to play off the bench in his place.

For the Cowboys, also just the one change, with Rory Kostjasyn out, and Ray Thompson in to replace him.

3: Kick-off here at Newcastle...and on the first set of six, we have Jason Taumololo limping off the field! Drama for the Cowboys!

6: Nasty hit for Granville here. He is leaving the field for a concussion test.

6: So, the Cowboys having to deal with two of their players off the field now. They're on the attack. 40 metres out.

7: Cowboys lose it through Linnett and the Knights back on the attack at halfway

8: PENALTY Cowboys - Knights with a little too much attention in the tackle. Cowboys to tap from the Knights 30 metre line.

9: Thurston throws a forward pass and the Knights are off the hook!

10: PENALTY Knights - Cowboys with the ruck penalty this time

11: Knights lose it, but looks like it's come off the Cowboys. Knights have the feed, 10 metres out.

12: VIDEO REFEREE - A strong run from Korbin Sims to get over the line, but I don't think he has it down. The Ref has called NO TRY.

12: Looks to be held up here. With the initial decision, I don't think this will be overturned.

12: Taumololo has a medial ligament strain. He won't be back today. Ouch.

12: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Chris Houston. Kick to come.
Houston powers through the line and scores easily! Mullen with a flat pass, but Houston is over. We have the first points here!

13: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Nails it from just to the right of the posts

15: Big kick at the end of the next set from the Knights, and it rolls dead.

16: A one on one steal from Thurston!

17: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Scott Bolton. Kick to come.
A mixed up play! Thurston kicks. Gidley picks up, loses the ball to JT in the tackle. Morgan to Bolton and he's in next to the posts!

18: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Easy conversion. We're all tied up!

19: Good running down the left from the Cowboys. Inside the Knights 40 and just the 2nd tackle.

20: VIDEO REFEREE Cowboys - Coote tries to do it himself with a darting little run to the line. We're checking for obstruction!

20: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Lachlan Coote. Kick to come.
He takes the pass from Thurston and ducks inside Mullen and Gidley to score. Great try!

21: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Lands the conversion from 15 metres to the left side of the posts

21: Granville won't be back today. Another big blow to the Cowboys. He has failed the concussion test. They are down to 15 men.

23: Knights with a settler. Kicked into touch at the Cowboys 10 metre line by Roberts.

25: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Dane Gagai makes an unforced error.
Mullen with an offload and Gagai puts it down cold. We're at the Cowboys 40 metre line.

27: Thurston with a neat run and chance down the left, but he loses it as he is hit by Mullen. SCRUM Knights - 10 metres out.

28: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Lachlan Coote makes an unforced error.
Coote has lost it cold this time. Bobbles a pass and the Knights on the attack 40 metres out.

29: PENALTY Knights - Thurston holds down a little too long. Quick tap! 2 metres out!

30: Leilua dives at the line, but Coote holds the arm with the ball and he loses it!

31: Cowboys with a big chance, but lost just on the line at the other end! Great ball movement to the left, but Uate intercepts and knocks it out to save the try!

31: Mullen was down in back play there for a bit, but he's back up now..

32: 61 metre drop-out from Coote!

33: Mullen is in real trouble here...

33: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Justin O'Neill. Kick to come.
With Mullen down injured the Cowboys push to the right and O'Neill strolls in to the corner. Injuries a-plenty here!

34: Mullen is coming off now. He looks woozy and may be having a concussion test as well.

35: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
From 15 metres in from the right touch-line, Thurston hits it right.

36: For the Knights, Tyler Randell is playing at half and Sione Mata'utia in the back row!

37: Coote takes a great catch at the back and there's just a couple of sets left here in this half.

38: Knights sneak the ball back here. 30 metres out!

38: Good hands down the left but McManus has been pushed out of touch.

39: Last set of the half for the Cowboys ends with a great take from Uate. Halftime!

40: ..and that's the half! Pretty entertaining game here!

40: Some stats from the first half:
Possession: Cowboys 55% - 45%
Completions: Knights 78% - 74%
Line Breaks: Cowboys 3 - 1
Tackles: Knights 180 - 158
Missed Tackles: Knights 14 - 7
Penalties: Knights 3 - 1
Errors: 5 - 5

40: The second half is under-way here in Newcastle!

41: Big break from Ray Thompson! He makes 30 metres and then the ball goes to the right and....

41: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Justin O'Neill. Kick to come.
O'Neill scores his second down the right wing after a fantastic set-up from replacement hooker, Ray Thompson

42: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
Hooks it too much from the right wing. He doesn't like that side...

44: Jarrod Mullen will NOT be returning today. Two heavy head knocks at the end of the first half will see him rest for the remainder of the game.

45: Nice run from Gavin Cooper, but he can't find the support...

45: Thurston being his usual nippy self here with some great run, but this time the Cowboys lose it.

48: PENALTY Knights - The Knights are looking better now. A strip from the Cowboys gives them a great chance 25 metres out.

49: PENALTY Knights - Nice run from Gidley and a Cowboy lying in the ruck.

50: Leilua might have butchered a try here. He's over the line, held up, but McManus was on his left. 4th tackle.

50: Coote down in backplay. Trainer looking at his knee. Cowboys fans hold their breath.

50: Korbin Sims. ALMOST! A fantastic tackle from Lachlan Coote cuts him down just 1 metre from the line!

52: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Akuila Uate. Kick to come.
AKU! Great try! He cuts through the Cowboys defence and runs 58 metres to score! The Knights are back in it!

53: That's the sort of stuff the Blues fans will be hoping to see in Origin if he gets in this year.

53: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
From in front. No problem.

53: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Kurt Gidley makes an unforced error.
Gidley drops it from the kick-off. Ouch.

55: Hannant gets smashed! Great defence from the Knights here as Tariq Sims dumps him on his back and he loses it!

57: Cowboys lose it on the attack and the Knights run it out of their territory. Definite momentum shift here.

57: Thurston juggles a bomb and the Cowboys are under real pressure in their own 20 now.

58: PENALTY Cowboys - A huge relieving penalty here. Offside from the Knights.

59: Uate is now the highest try scorer at Hunter Stadium. Nice one!

59: PENALTY Cowboys - Another one. Gidley gets reprimanded by the ref as the Knights infringe in the ruck.

60: Ball knocked down by Leilua and the Cowboys will get another set on the Knights line.

60: Knights soaking up the pressure right now.

61: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Michael Morgan. Kick to come.
Many repeat sets here have seen the Cowboys make the most of it. Morgan does it all himself for a gritty try. So many missed tackles from the Knights!

62: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Slots it through from just to the left of the posts and the Cowboys are out by more than two converted tries.

64: The Knights are starting to throw it around a bit now. They need to score soon to be any chance here.

65: Cowboys get it back after a sloppy last tackle there from Newcastle.

65: Thurston bombs. Caught in goal, the Knights get a chance to run it back, but the clock is running...

66: Another dodgy last tackle from the Knights. Tariq Sims ends up kicking and it goes nowhere. This game could be beyond them.

66: Official crowd: 15,518 here at Hunter Stadium

68: Great run from Tariq Sims as the Knights attack again...

68: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Joseph Leilua. Kick to come.
Leilua reaches out and scores! Excellent stuff there after some wonderful lead up work from Tariq Sims and Kade Snowden.

69: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Easy conversion for Roberts. Are we in for a close finish?

70: 10 minutes to go here and the Knights need 2 lots of points. Can they do it?

70: TRY NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Scored by Sione Mata'utia. Kick to come.
WOWOWOW! What a try to the Knights! Tyrone Roberts breaks through the line and gives it to Sione Mata'utia who pushes players off and scores under the posts! What a finish we have here!!

71: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Conversion attempt by Tyrone Roberts successful.
Two point ball game here!

72: Sione had no right to score there, but he pushed off Thurston like he was nothing!

73: The Knights take the touch finder on the 4th. Not sure what Roberts was doing there...

74: Morgan with a bustling run down the right. The Cowboys on the attack!

74: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Sione Mata'utia makes an unforced error.
After a good set from the Cowboys, Mata'utia fumbles the ball! The Cowboys get a chance to put it away now!

75: ERROR Cowboys - Morgan pushes the pass and drops it. Let-off there for the Knights

75: Joseph Leilua has an injury here, but will stay on the field.

76: ..and now Leilua loses it inside his own 30 metres! Tamou with a good tackle, knocks it out.

77: HANDOVER - The Knights get the ball back. Three minutes to go. 75 metres to go.

77: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Kurt Gidley makes an unforced error.
Gidley drops it on the 2nd tackle! That could be the ball game there.

79: Last set now for the Knights. Just 1 minute to go!

79: The Knights make barely any metres and go backwards, before Uate makes a run down the right and the Knights get six more! Time off with 5 seconds to go and the Knights will have one tackle!

79: PENALTY Knights - A bit of push and shove there as well, but nothing too serious. Houston and Winterstein involved. Here we go!

79: UNFORCED ERROR NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Tyrone Roberts makes an unforced error.
Drops the ball cold and the Cowboys win this one!

80: Game over here at Hunter Stadium as the Cowboys survive the late Knights fightback!