The nib Newcastle Knights have gone down in heartbreaking fashion, following a golden point 21-20 defeat at the hands of the North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night.
The Knights led for the majority of the game before the Cowboys forced golden point with a late try and kicked the decisive point in extra time.
Newcastle will return home to the Knights faithful in Round 3 chasing first points of the campaign.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT:
1st min - The match kicked-off on a warm Saturday afternoon in Townsville.
4th min - Captain Ponga produced a brilliant bit of skill to keep the ball in play following a Cowboys kick for touch.
Ponga plays Superman
18th min - After strong defensive work up the other end, the Knights were on the board first to start the game.
Adam Elliott showed his trademark determination to storm through a hole and slide under the posts.
Elliott scores first
36th min - The forward would have his second of the game just on the stroke of half-time.
Quick play from Jack Hetherington close to the line found Elliott, who ran in to extend the Knights lead.
Elliott has a double
40th min - The Knights would take a 12-0 lead into the change of ends.
From the field: Ponga
41st min - The Cowboys were first to score after the break with Chad Townsend diving in.
44th min - North Queensland were within two when winger Kyle Feldt planted the ball in the corner.
47th min - A big shot from Daniel Saifiti swung the momentum back to the Knights.
Daniel Saifiti forces the error
48th min - After leaking two tries, Newcastle regained ascendancy when Greg Marzhew grabbed his first of the year.
The ball made its way to Jackson Hastings who provided a deft kick for the winger to score in the corner.
Marzhew grabs his first of the season
60th min - The match turned into a grind midway through the second half before Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden pounced close to the line.
76th min - With the match headed to a close, the Cowboys would level the scores with Jeremiah Nanai scoring off a kick.
80th min - The scores were locked at 20-all forcing golden point.
81st min - Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend kicked a field goal to win the game for North Queensland.
WHAT THEY SAID:
O'Brien and Ponga respond to golden point defeat
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Knights will return home next Sunday to take on the Melbourne Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Match: Knights v Storm
Round 3 -
home Team
Knights
13th Position
away Team
Storm
2nd Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
