A classy double from Newcastle-bound fullback Kalyn Ponga has helped North Queensland to a 12-point win over the Knights on Saturday in Townsville.
Injured Johnathan Thurston was again sorely missed by the hosts but they fought back from being behind at half-time to prevail 24-12 at 1300SMILES Stadium and snap a two-game losing streak.
Teenage fullback Ponga bagged a try either side of half-time and an improved second 40 minutes saved the Cowboys blushes against an injury-ravaged Knights side that suffered their sixth straight defeat.
North Queensland should have crossed in the first minute of the game but Origin hopeful Coen Hess bombed what appeared to be a certain try after grassing a Justin O’Neill pass with no-one ahead of him.
The home side had another great chance go begging when Antonio Winterstein fumbled a grubber but their early dominance paid off when Gavin Cooper caught the Knights markers napping to dive over for the game’s opening try.
Newcastle were down but not out and hit back after 17 minutes with a simple try to winger Nathan Ross and they struck again almost instantly when Brendan Elliot pounced on an errant Cooper grubber and darted 90 metres to score a breathtaking runaway try against the run of play.
The Cowboys looked out of sorts in attack but Ponga darted over from short range in the 37th minute to cut the Knights lead to just two points.
North Queensland started the second half much stronger and edged in front when Kane Linnett charged through some soft Knights defence, with second-rower Ethan Lowe stepping up to nail a tough conversion.
The home fans had more to cheer when makeshift five-eight John Asiata hit Ponga with a delightful ball for the young star to complete his double before a late Kyle Feldt penalty goal rounded off the scoring.