NRL.com Wrap: Huge comeback falls just short as Knights downed by Tigers

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Dragons 

Cowboys 

Full-time: The Dragons had a crack and attacked both sides of the field, but the North Queensland defence scrambled to deny their opponents and secure a tight victory. The match finished six tries apiece, with Rosie Kelly's goalkicking proving the difference as the Cowboys held on to a 32-28 victory at Allianz Stadium. Dragons 28 - Cowboys 32. 

69th minute: North Queensland have lodged a Captain's Challenge, the Cowboys claiming the ball was touched by the Dragons, which would trigger a set restart. Replays show it was not touched, with St George Illawarra taking possession. They've got to go 90 metres in one set of six to score the equaliser. Dragons 28 - Cowboys 32.

66th minute: The Dragons have got another one back, with a thrilling finish coming up. Teagan Berry made the break that put her side on the front foot. It took a couple more plays, but Tyra Ekepati battled through to fight her way to the line. The Bunker will take a close look at the grounding, with multiple Cowboys fighting to keep the ball up but it's eventually confirmed. The margin is four with four minutes to play. Dragons 28 - Cowboys 32. 

63rd minute: The Dragons have lodged a Captain's Challenge after a kick was ruled to have touched a team-mate, with the on-field ruling of accidental offside. Replays show it did not touch the Dragon that was in front of the kicker, so it's a successful challenge and St George Illawarra have another chance at a last-tackle play. The second shot does not go well, Zali Hopkins' grubber rolling dead. Dragons 24 - Cowboys 32.

60th minute: We have a grandstand finish coming up. The Dragons drew an error from the kick-off and they immediately capitalised. Back-rower Ella Koster ran a superb line to crash through multiple tackles and score the try. Dragons 24 - Cowboys 32.

58th minute: Now Essay Banu has a second, the Cowboys forward rewarded for her effort in chasing a bomb. Jayme Millard spilled a bomb, Banu was there to scoop up the loose ball and score the try. The Bunker will take a close look at the onside from the initial kick and the contest but it's all been cleared and North Queensland's lead is out to 12. Dragons 20 - Cowboys 32.

55th minute: Charlize Lloyd-Phillips has a hat-trick and it's another impressive play. The Cowboys winger leapt for the ball, broke a tackle and snuck down a skinny short side to beat the cover defence and score in the corner. Dragons 20 - Cowboys 26.

51st minute: Maria Paseka was denied on the stroke of half-time but there's not stopping her this time. A Cowboys error handed the Dragons an attacking set and the hosts capitalised. Halves Zali Hopkins and Kasey Reh linked up, while Paseka carried a defender over the line and reached out to slam the ball down. Trinity Tauaneai's sideline conversion is waved away and the Cowboys are clinging on to a two-point lead. Dragons 20 - Cowboys 22.

47th minute: After defending their own line, the Dragons received a penalty and a chance to march into attacking territory. Hannah Southwell stepped into a ball-playing role, she identified the defenders had their eyes for players out the back and hit Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis with a short ball for the try. Maria Paseka converts the try and the Dragons are back within six. Dragons 16 - Cowboys 22.

45th minute: We have another trip to the Bunker, with Ashley Marsters attempting to crash over for the Cowboys. North Queensland had space out wide, but they opted for the crash ball and the Dragons defenders managed to get under Marsters to prevent the try. Dragons 10 - Cowboys 22.

41st minute: The Dragons have had a couple of attacking sets on the Cowboys line but they haven't been able to find a way through thus far. North Queensland's defence has been superb and they're now working their way towards attacking territory. Dragons 10 - Cowboys 22. 

Kick-off: We're back for the second half, with the Dragons desperate to strike first as they look to reel the Cowboys in. North Queensland burst out of the gates in the first half but they've made an error in their opening set of six to hand St George Illawarra and immediate chance to strike. Dragons 10 - Cowboys 22. 

Half-time: We're off to the Bunker on the final play of the half as Maria Paseka attempts to score for the Dragons. Bree Chester, however, managed to get under the ball and held the winger up. It's incredibly close but the Bunker supports the on-field ruling of no try. It's a big moment in the context of this game, with North Queensland striking late and then coming up with a crucial defensive play to take a 10-point lead into the break. Dragons 10 - Cowboys 22.

33rd minute: Charlize Lloyd-Phillips has her second and she's scored it in spectacular fashion. Halfback Rosie Kelly put up a towering bomb, Lloyd-Phillips ran through and soared through the air to outleap Maria Paseka and score the try. Dragons 10 - Cowboys 22. 

30th minute: The Dragons continue to pepper the North Queensland line but the Cowboys are holding firm as they hang on to a six-point lead. It looked as if the hosts had earned another attacking set, but the officials spotted an error and now North Queensland have earned a penalty and an exit from their own half. Dragons 10 - Cowboys 16. 

25th minute: The Dragons were slow to warm up but they've found their stride now. A North Queensland error handed St George Illawarra another attacking opportunity and they went close, but a left-edge shift ended with an error and the Cowboys hold on. Dragons 10 - Cowboys 16.

17th minute: St George Illawarra have gone bang-bang. Tori Shipton spotting the markers were out of position and slicing through a retreating defensive line. The dummy half then drew the fullback and linked up with Teagan Berry, who juggled the ball before pinning it to her leg and sprinting away. Dragons 10 - Cowboys 16.

15th minute: The Dragons have hit back, with Kasey Reh drawing a penalty and an attacking set of six. The hosts then shifted to the left, centre Tahlia O'Brien drawing in the winger before sending Jayme Millard over for the try. Dragons 4 - Cowboys 16.

12th minute: We're off to the Bunker after Essay Banu appeared to crash over. It's been sent upstairs as no try, with Hannah Southwell making a desperate tackle to try get under the ball. The Dragons initially had her arm under the ball but the ball eventually found the ground and the try is awarded. Dragons 0 - Cowboys 16. 

11th minute: We have a Dragons Captain's Challenge after a defender was ruled to have touched the ball in flight while the Cowboys were on the attack. Maria Paseka is the player making the tackle as the ball was passed, with the Bunker ruling the video was inconclusive. Dragons retain their challenge, but it's a fresh attacking set for North Queensland. Dragons 0 - Cowboys 10.

7th minute: The Cowboys are in complete control, with a string of penalties handing the visitors prime attacking territory. It was a loose pass by the Cowboys as they shifted wide, but Charlize Lloyd-Phillips picked up the loose ball and surged past multiple defenders to score a simple try. Dragons 0 - Cowboys 10.

3rd minute: The Dragons had the first opportunity but it's North Queensland who strike first. A Teagan Berry error handed possession to the Cowboys, with Lydia Turua-Quedley producing a towering bomb. Jasmine Peters jumped over Berry, took the catch and raced away to the try line. In another blow, Nita Maynard-Perrin spent the entire defensive set receiving treatment for an arm injury and she has now left the field. Dragons 0 - Cowboys 4.

Kick-off: We are underway at Allianz Stadium, with the Cowboys looking to build on last week's win over Cronulla. The Dragons have their sights on their first victory since Round 2 and there have been promising signs in recent weeks. It's a good start for the hosts, St George Illawarra receiving a penalty in the first set of six. Dragons 0 - Cowboys 0. 

Late Mail

Dragons: The Dragons will line up 1-17, with no late changes. Zali Hopkins has been named at five-eighth with Taliah Fuimaono sidelined by a shoulder injury. In the forward pack, Nita Maynard-Perrin will start at hooker, seeing captain Brooke Anderson shift to lock and Hannah Southwell to prop. Tori Shipton comes on to the bench while Keele Browne's comeback from a hamstring injury remains on hold after she dropped out of the reserves. 

Cowboys: North Queensland are also 1-17, with no late changes. Kiwi representative Abigail Roache set to return from a knee injury in the centres in place of Kayla Jackson who made her club debut last week. The only other change sees PNG Orchid Emily Veivers named as 18th player, taking over from Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell.

 

Bulldogs v Raiders at Belmore Sports Ground

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Full-time: That's time on a comprehensive Canberra victory, with the visitors adding another four tries after the break to claim a 48-4 triumph. Krystal Blackwell scored a hat-trick in a five-star showing, the five-eighth adding two line breaks and three try assists as well. The Bulldogs continued to battle throughout the second half but they were unable to reel in the rampant Raiders. Bulldogs 4 - Raiders 48.

65th minute: We have an update on the two HIAs from a few minutes ago, Chalotte Basham has failed her test and will be placed in the head knock protocol. That will likely see her miss next week's bumper clash with the Titans. Bulldogs 4 - Raiders 48.

58th minute: The Bulldogs had a few minutes of command but the Raiders have quickly taken back control. Hollie-Mae Dodd ran a tough line to crash over, but the Bunker will take a close look at a potential bobble by hooker Chante Temara. The try is eventually confirmed and Canberra extend their lead. Bulldogs 4 - Raiders 48. 

57th minute: We've had a couple of injury stoppages in the last few minutes. Bulldogs lock Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa has left the field for an HIA, while Alexis Tauaneai is getting treatment for a knee injury after a teammate fell on her leg. Tauaneai will remain on the field for now. The Raiders are also battling, with Charlotte Basham attempting to play through a head cut, and sporting some interesting strapping, but she has now also left the field for an HIA. Bulldogs 4 - Raiders 44.

52nd minute: The Bulldogs are on the board. They finally had a full attacking set and Simina Lokotui stepped past multiple Raiders to weave her way to the try line. Bulldogs 4 - Raiders 44. 

50th minute: We've got a brief stoppage after three Bulldogs combined for a dominant tackle. It's a Canterbury player who has stayed down, however, with Hope Millard's head slamming into the ground. She is back on her feet and will leave the field for an HIA. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 44.

45th minute: A strong breeze at Belmore is causing havoc for the Bulldogs back three and the Raiders have another. Zehara Temara put up a bomb that hung in the air, two Bulldogs collided and Krystal Blackwell was on the spot to pick up the loose ball and race away for her hat-trick. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 44.

42nd minute: The Canberra onslaught continues, the visitors charging down the field in one set of six before Krystal Blackwell put Leianne Tufuga through a big hole. The centre then had the shimmy and step to beat the fullback and score the try. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 38.

39th minute: The Raiders have picked up where they left off, Elise Simpson scoring in the corner. The winger set the attacking play in motion with a long-range break on the kick return. Canterbury got back and scrambled to slow the Raiders, but there was no stopping the visitors. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 34.

Kick-off: The second half is underway, with the Raiders to have first use of the ball as they look to extend their lead. The Bulldogs must strike first if they want to mount a comeback and they have the attacking firepower to pull it off, as well as a strong wind behind their backs. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 28.

Half-time: That's time on a dominant half of football for the Raiders, with the visitors running in five tries to take a 28-0 lead. Canberra dominated from the opening whistle as the forward pack set the tone up front and halves Zehara Temara and Krystal Blackwell pulled the strings with ball in hand. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 28.

33rd minute: The Raiders have landed a decisive blow on the stroke of half-time, with Krystal Blackwell looking up, spotting a big hole and charging straight through it to score her second try of the afternoon. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 28. 

28th minute: We're off to the Bunker with Grace Kemp attempting to spin out of a tackle and get the ball to the ground. The on-field referee says it was held up, with replays showing Andie Robinson managed to get her knee under the ball and deny the try. Canberra have a couple more tackles left in the set as they chase another try. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 22.

24th minute: We have another Raiders try, with Zehara Temara producing a perfect grubber from nothing. The halfback picked up a loose pass on the bounce, it was last tackle so she dropped the ball on the toe, Isaebella Waterman raced through and collected a high bounce to score the try. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 22.

19th minute: Krystal Blackwell set up a try earlier in the half and now she has one of her own. Sophie Holyman turned in the tackle and offloaded to her five-eighth, who burst through a gap and won the race to the try-line to score her side's third. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 18.

12th minute: The Bulldogs held firm a few minutes ago but this time the Raiders break through. Zehara Temara drifted across to the left, before moving back to the right and coming up with a late offload. Krystal Blackwell eventually found a small gap before producing an outstanding pass over the outstretched arms of the Bulldogs winger and Mackenzie Wiki finished it off out wide. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 12.

10th minute: The Raiders continue to pepper the Bulldogs line and Simaima Taufa nearly crashed over for her second, but this time the Canterbury defensive line held firm. The Bulldogs will now look to work out of their own half and find some attacking field position. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 6.

4th minute: The dream start continues for the Raiders, with Simaima Taufa latching on to a short ball and crashing over from close range. It was a superb attacking set, the visitors rolling down the field before capitalising close to the line. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 6.

Kick-off: We are underway and it's an immediate result for the Raiders. Sheridan Gallagher drilled the kick-off towards the corner post, managed the land the ball inside the field of play before it bounced touched in goal. The joy is short-lived, however, with Canterbury successfully regathering a short dropout to regain possession. Bulldogs 0 - Raiders 0.

Late Mail

Bulldogs: A change on Friday with Monica Tagoai coming out of the side and Bridget Hoy moving into the centres in No.20. Ebony Prior has been added to the bench in No.21. Pani Hopoate will start at prop this week after sitting out with a knee injury. Pauline Suli-Ruka has been named to start in the second row in her return from a shoulder injury. Tamika Jones will miss the next two matches with suspension.

Raiders: The Raiders are 1-17 with no late changes as they roll with the same team that downed the Knights last week. Madyson Tooth is the 18th player.

Knights v Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium

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Full time: The Knights can't get the ball back in the final minute and the Wests Tigers hold on to record a 27-26 victory to put them into third place on the live ladder.

Injury update: Hollie Wheeler receives treatment for a neck injury after a crusher tackle and leaves the field. Knights prop Tayla Predebon is placed on report.

69 min: Field goal! Raecene McGregor makes the most of the opportunity for Wests Tigers, recording her first NRLW one-pointer with a loopy drop-goal from 15m out. Tigers 27-26 

68 min: A chance goes begging for the Knights! Amelia Pasikala charges through the defence and breaks away, but her pass to Tenika Willison in support on half way goes down.

67 min: The Knights get a penalty right in front. Lucy Spain is in the thick of it and just a few minutes after receiving penalty being held out of the play as a support runner, she takes on the middle defenders and the ball comes loose. The referee says knock-on but the captain's challenge is called for and reveals a strip. Kirra Dibb steps up to level scores with a penalty goal. Scores level 26-26

63 min: The Tigers get some moments to catch their breath and get a penalty to get off their own line. Despite all the work they've done in defence, they look threatening, but Raecene McGregor's grubber kick goes dead. The Knights use the seven tackle set well to have a play-the-ball inside 10 to finish, but the last tackle run option results in a handover.

58 min: It's anyone's game here in Newcastle. Knights hooker Olivia Higgins was struggling with a nose injury just a few moments ago, but on last tackle she takes a few steps out of dummy half, drops it on the toe, the ball hits the post pad and bounce straight back to her and she dots it down under the sticks. Kirra Dibb converts from in front. Tigers lead 26-24

 

52 min: The Knights get another opportunity to attack on the back of a Caitlin Turnbull error. On third tackle, Kirra Dibb spot a huge amount of space in behind the defence and puts in a grubber kick, but it trickles dead.

Injury update: Portia Bourke is receiving treatment for a neck injury after being caught awkwardly in a tackle. She stays on the field and play continues.

49 min: Here come the Knights! Sidney Taylor celebrates her 24th birthday with a try after the Wests Tigers are stripped for numbers on their left edge defence. The Knights built pressure through repeat sets and the visitors defended stoutly but finally cracked under the pressure. Kirra Dibb nails another conversion and there's only eight points in it! Tigers lead 26-18

45 min: The Knights gets another chance on attack after the restart from the Tigers sails well out on the full. They look likely after earning a repeat set, but a Tayla Predebon offload is spilled and the play breaks down.

43 min: You score, we score! The Knights get back in it immediately with a shift from right extremity to left wing for Mercedez Taulelei-Siala to slip a desperate Tigers tackle and roll over to plant the ball. It came on the back of a run from fullback Lucy Spain, who put Sidney Taylor through for a long break. Kirra Dibb converts once again. Tigers lead 26-12

40 min: Two kicks, too good for Tigers. On last tackle, Tigers five-eighth Losana Lutu comes up with a cross-field kick, batted back by Caitlin Turnbull. The ball goes out to the right wing and then back inside to Raecene McGregor for the second kick, a grubber, and the low bounce evades all of the Knights defenders then bounces up perfectly for Lutu tracking inside. McGregor converts. Tigers 26-6

38 min: The Knights came out of the sheds with some powerful attack and defence but make the error on half way to put the Tigers in range. 

Half-time: The Wests Tigers have dominated the opening stages to take a commanding 20-6 lead over the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Tigers almost kept time with the clock in the first 15 minutes, leading 14-0 early on with the help of some ill-discipline from the home side. While the Tigers added six more point later in the half, the Knights tightened things up in the next portion of the game and poked their heads through the line on a number of occasions to get one on the score sheet.

34 min: The Tigers survive a seriously threatening attacking raid from the Knights. Kirra Dibb put up a wobbly kick on last tackle, which is allowed to bounce by the Tigers defenders and Caitlin Turnbull retrieves it just inside the field of play.

32 min: Both sides are struggling to complete their sets in the past few minutes and will be looking for a bit more cohesion and discipline in the final moments of the first half.

27 min: The Knights are on the board! Centre Tenika Willison runs a great line for halfback Georgia Roche and slips through the defence for a four-pointer. The opportunity came off the back of a Wests Tigers error on the kick-off following the Shaniece Monschau try. Kirra Dibb makes the conversion from out wide. Tigers lead 20-6

23 min: Shaniece Monschau has her first NRLW try to extend the Wests Tigers lead. More ill-discipline from the Knights laid out the welcome mat for the visitors and dummy-half replacement took the opportunity to sell to the right and go back left to a charging Monschau with the crash play to score. Raecene McGregor nails the conversion. Wests Tigers 20-0

20 min: The Knights ride a couple of penalties to go deep on attack. Kirra Dibb goes close with a show-and-go, but when it comes to last tackle, her grubber kick is just too long and the Tigers get a seven tackle set.

18 min: After trading completed sets, the Tigers get in position to put in an attacking kick into the in-goal, giving Knights fullback Lily Spain plenty of work to do, but she does incredibly well to dive back into the field of play, ultimately earning her side a much needed penalty.

15 min: It's one-way traffic here at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Tigers get two piggy-back penalties to go on the attack once again. The Knights look like they had numbered up on their left edge defence, but when the balls gets into the hands of Tigers centre Harmony Crichton, it matters little as she slips a one-on-one tackle and slams the ball down. Raecene McGregor can't convert from out wide. Wests Tigers 14-0

10 min: The Tigers have another one and this time Caitlin Turnbull gets the chocolates. Losana Lutu decides to run the ball down the short side on the last, and she loops a pass over to winger Lily Rogan, who chips a kick over the top for Turnbull to turn on the afterburners to run past Knights lock Kayla Romaniuk and win the race to the ball. Raecene McGregor converts the try from just to the left of the posts. Wests Tigers 10-0

6 min: The Knights get their first look at the Tigers line on the back of a penalty, but the visitors are up to it defensively and force the handover.

2 min: What a start for the Wests Tigers! Caitlin Turnbull digs into the line and pops a pass to Shaylee Bent running an out line, putting her straight through the Knights defence and she runs 40 metres to score. Reacene McGregor hits the upright and the conversion attempt is waved away. Wests Tigers 4-0

Kickoff: Wests Tigers have first use of the ball under sunny skies in Newcastle.

Injury update: Wests Tigers centre Namoe Gesa has suffered a groin injury the warm-up, replaced by Kayla Henderson is jersey No.22.

Late Mail

Knights: Lilly-Ann White returns from an ankle injury in the No.1 but has moved to the interchange in the 90-minute squad update, with Lucy Spain getting the nod to start at fullback. "Credit to Lilly, she's back probably two weeks earlier than what we predicted. That's a testament to her and the staff. Her and Lucy will definitely play a part in this group this weekend," said coach Ben Jeffries. No other changes on game day to the 18 originally named on Tuesday, with prop Tayla Predebon back from suspension and Sienna Yeo to start in the second row. Charley Lahmert and Emily McArthur and both on the interchange for potential NRLW debuts. 

Wests Tigers: Craig Sandercock has made two late changes to the starting line-up, with Portia Bourke to start at centre and Christian Pio at prop. Shenai Lendill and Shaniece Monschau revert to the pine.  A number of big guns return, headlined by captain Kezie Apps in the second row. Salma Nour starts at hooker, with Harmony Crichton on the wing. Tara Reinke is the 18th player.