A late Jasmine Peters try snatched a 16-12 come from behind win for the Cowboys against Wests Tigers at Totally Workwear Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
Peters linked with another North Queensland junior product, Tahlulah Tillett, to score the 69th minute matchwinner as the Cowboys bounced-back to record their second win of the NRLW season.
Tries to West Tigers captain Kezie Apps and winger Josie Lenaz set up a 10-4 lead at half-time before Cowboys prop Makenzie Weale began a second half fight back when she crossed in the 49th minute to draw the scores level.
After defending a mountain of Tigers possession, the Cowboys struck first through a cut-out pass from Tillett to winger China Polata, who crossed out wide for her first try of the year in the 10th minute.
China Polata try 10th minute
The Tigers hit back eight minutes later through a slick back-line play which saw Lenaz score her first NRLW try and with Pauline Piliae-Rasabale missing the conversion from out wide the scores remained 4-4.
Weale left the field in the 25th minute after being bent awkwardly in a tackle but later returned to play a key role in North Queensland's win.
A knock on by Polata near the Cowboys' line gave the Tigers gain great field possession three minutes before half-time and the hit the lead when halfback Emily Curtain put Apps through a hole to score from close range.
Kezie Apps try 32nd minute
Piliae-Rasabale conversion gave Wests Tigers a 10-4 half-time lead but the Cowboys showed their intent when PNG Orchids forward Sera Koroi darted from dummy half only to lose the ball over the tryline.
Growing more confident as the game went on, the Cowboys drew level when Weale crashed over in the 48th minute and skipper Kirra Dibb converted the try.
Makenzie Weale try 48th minute
The Tigers took back the lead when Emma Manzelmann was penalised for a late tackle on Piliae-Rasable as she kicked down-field, with the five-eighth taking the score to 12-10 after landing a penalty goal.
A fumble by Tigers fullback Rebecca Pollard from a Tillett bomb gave the Cowboys another scoring opportunity and they snatched victory when the playmaker put Peters over out wide with just a minute remaining.
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Match snapshot
- Cowboys prop Makenzie Weale ran for 161 metres, made two line-breaks and four tackle breaks, and scored a crucial try.
- Tigers forward Sarah Togatuki dominated through the middle despite being on the losing side, with 17 runs, 221 run metres ,74 post contact metres and six tackle breaks.
- Cowboys winger China Polata and Wests Tigers flyer Josie Lenaz crossed for their first NRLW tries to open the scoring for their respective sides early.
- Polata and Weale were placed on report.
- The Cowboys lost co-captain Tallisha Harden to a knee injury midway through the second half in a blow for the home side.
- English fullback Francesca Goldthorp ran 187 metres with the ball for the Cowboys and made four tackle breaks.
Play of the game
Jasmine Peters had looked busy throughout the afternoon and finally got reward with her partnership with Indigenous All Stars teammate Tahlulah Tillett coming up strong at the death.
Jasmine Peters grabs the winner!
What they said
“[It was a] courageous effort, we asked for a response, and we got it. We basically took some accountability around what our roles were. We just needed to start big in the second half, they ran out, did what they were asked and took some pride in what they were doing. We spoke about playing to the 70th minute this week." - Cowboys coach Ben Jeffries
Cowboys: Round 4
“We had some chances to nail it, to score and potentially take the lead out and win and even when we led 12-10. There was fifteen minutes of an arm wrestle, and we knew if they got close to the try line, they were gonna try and charge over. It’s a learning curve, they’ll be so much better for the opportunity and learning from it." - Wests Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley
Wests Tigers: Round 4
What's Next
The Cowboys return to Townsville to host the Sharks next Saturday, while the Tigers welcome the Dragons at CommBank Stadium.
Cowboys lock Tiana Raftstrand-Smith should be available after a head knock saw her miss this week.
Wests Tigers hope to welcome back star fullback Botille Vette-Welsh (head knock), along with winger Tess Staines who will be looking to return from a finger injury.