It's a big win away from home for the Sharks that have an abundance of road games coming up. They enter the top eight tonight and may stay there come the end of the round depending on other results. Thank you very much for joining the line update tonight and a match report will follow and will be available here in about 45 minutes time. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
With that it brings us to full time. The Sharks have kept the Cowboys scoreless in the second half and put 24 points on the board to out play the Cowboys and take a 24-18 victory.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Jake Granville makes an unforced error.
The Cowboys somehow make their way to within 35m of the Sharks line by the fourth tackle. Matt Scott receives the ball from Granville but he passes straight back to the hooker and he drops the ball.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
It's halfway where Cronulla use their fifth tackle option through Graham. He kicks low and directly over the sideline to take time off the clock and get some air back in to the lungs of his team.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
A strong defensively set has been provided by the Sharks and it's completed with Barba taking a screamer in the air 15m away from his line.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
The Sharks only get to their 40m line on fifth and Robson's kick was no good either. It's fielded on the full by Coote 25m out.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
Another seven tackle set is and the Cowboys are giving their all in attack. On fifth tackle Granville runs hard, pokes his nose though the line, but is pulled up and he knocks the ball on.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
The Sharks make it 30m within the Cowboys posts but Graham's field goal attempt was never looking like going over the cross bar.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
The attack looked better wit Coote involved but fifth tackle was awful. It lasted about 30 seconds did fifth tackle and eventually a grubber kick is put in and is too long. Cronulla will get a seven tackle set.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
The Sharks get quickly down the field and out of the blue Holmes attempts a field goal. It misses to the left and it gifts the Cowboys a seven tackle set from the 20m line.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
Not much was happening from the Cowboys halves. They didn't look dangerous and fifth tackle is fielded easily by Leutele.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
Play is stopped because Wright is unable to play the ball. On replay it shows Ennis landed a high shot on him and the penalty is given.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
Sam Tagatese is full of confidence. He runs over Granville and makes a further 30m in the backfield. He dismantles Coote but is pulled down by others. Fifth tackle sees Linnett field a grubber kick 15m from his line.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
From almost on the left touch line Gordon gets his kick going straight over the black dot.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24-18
TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Ricky Leutele. Kick to come.
Correction the on field referee thought try. The replays all show Coote misfields and Leutele gets his hand down on the ball. The try is awarded and Cronulla hit the front for the first time tonight.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 22-18
Jayson Bukuya breaks a few tackles on fourth and gets the Cowboys defence in patches. Fifth tackle sees a Robson grubber kick misfielded by Coote and Leutele may have a try. The video referee will decide but the on field ref says no try.
18 all
Penalty to the Sharks. It means Cronulla gets easily out of their half and it's charged on Patrick Kaufusi.
18 all
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
From halfway between the right touchline and mid field Gordon is successful and we're all tied at 18.
18 all
TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Andrew Fifita. Kick to come.
The Sharks need the entire set to get over the line but Ennis for the third time tonight provides a pass from dummy half to get Andrew Fifita over the line and the ball down past the chalk. There is plenty of life left in the Sharks.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-16
Miachel Morgan makes a meal of the set play. He has two options to pass too but he passes between both of them and Holmes gets the ball in the clear. He makes a classy 80m before being pulled down.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
Cameron King is now taking some responsibility at dummy half for the Cowboys and his fifth tackle grubber forces Bird to clear the ball over the dead ball line. The Sharks will have to give a goal line dropout.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
Penalty to the Cowboys and the Sharks really should not have given that up. Momentum turns once again.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
Barba looks damaging and he breaks a full Cowboys line. A from Barba in the back field goes to the supporting Wade Graham and he has 30m to get to the line. He stumbles in the final 10m and the covering Cowboys stop him 50cm short of the line. Andrew Fifita knocks the ball on in the next play and the Cowboys are off the hook.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
Penalty to the Sharks. The Cowboys tried to slow the play the ball down and the Sharks advance.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
Coote gets flashy near the line with a quick tap on for his winger but Holmes fields the flick and he's tackled but we're going the other way.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
Justin O'Neill makes 55m from a break on the right wing but cover defence from Barba and particularly the fast Jack Bird is able to close all the gaps on him. JT's up and excited on the bench but on the next play the Sharks are able to get their hands on a pass to stop the play. It was knocked forward so it's another Cowboys set coming up.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
Wade Graham gets the responsibility of a fifth tackle kick after 50m was made on the set. He comes up with a good kick deep in the corner.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
On fifth tackle Morgan contests the high kick, he knocks the ball back but Leutele is able to secure possession 10m out.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
The Cowboys make a direct effort to trap the Sharks in their half and it means the Sharks make only 38m in their set. A long kick is required from Robson and it's Coote who fields it and runs it back down the field.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
From 10m left of the uprights Gordon converts and suddenly we've got a game.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-12
TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Sam Tagataese. Kick to come.
This Cronulla set of six was finished early. On tackle two it's Michael Ennis once again shifting from dummy half 5m out and links up with his second runner Sam Tagatese. His effort gets him storming past the Cowboys defensive line and over for a four pointer.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-10
The Sharks spent the entire set in the Cowboys red zone and on the fourth tackle Wright is forced to knock a Ben Barba pass down to stop Gordon from potentially scoring in the corner.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-6
The play is put on report as a dangerous tackle, it didn't look like an obvious crusher but that will be for the match review committee to decide. Penalty to the Sharks. Feki will come off the field and this free interchange will see Ben Barba get his first minutes of the night.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-6
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Justin O'Neill makes an unforced error.
On a sweeping right attacking play O'Neill leaves the ball behind and Sosaia Feki fields the ball and makes 10m. He's not able to play the ball and the ref calls timeout. Feki's neck is the issue here.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-6
UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Jayson Bukuya makes an unforced error.
On the first set after points there is tragedy. Bukuya tried to play the ball too quickly and now the momentum of the opening five minutes they've had is now gone.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-6
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Conversion attempt by Michael Gordon successful.
From 15m out and slightly to the right of the posts Gordon makes no mistake.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-6
TRY CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Scored by Luke Lewis. Kick to come.
Ennis from 5m out skips over from dummy half to link up with his first receiver Luke Lewis. He ran an excellent strong line to barge over for a try.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-4
The third penalty in 90 seconds goes to the Sharks. They'll tap and go from 10m out hoping for a quick try.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Penalty once again to the Sharks. Now they are 30m out from the Cowboys line and making quick metres.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Penalty to the Sharks. Granville got caught around Tagatese in the play the ball and it slowed the play down.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
The players are back on the field and are ready to go. The Sharks will get the first possession.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
That's half time and it's been a promising display from the Cowboys. Not much resistance has been put up by the Sharks and it looks like if the Cowboys can keep up their will to score tries they have the skill and the forward pack to put up another 20 points in the second half. Scott and Coote have been the Cowboys best so far. Michael Ennis has been the best in a side lacking class and effort occasionally. The Cowboys have complete control and it would be unlikely for them to give that up in the second half. Stay tuned for the second 40 minutes.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Jack Bird drifts 20m across the field looking for a Sharks player to run onto the ball but nobody is available. Eventually one of them gets the ball and he's taken care of by the Cowboys line.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Beale makes it 25m from the Cowboys line on fourth. The fifth tackle sess Jack Bird field a poor Robson kick, he passes to David Fifita and his grubber is knocked on by the fullback. There's 20 seconds left and the Sharks have a scrum 10m out.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Another set is given to the Sharks as Gavin Cooper knocks on a Jeff Robson kick on the halfway line.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
There was not much doing from the Cowboys attack there, on fifth tackle the ball ends up with Leutele on a poorly guided grubber kick.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Luke Lewis has to knock a pass to Coote down as more points could have come from the complete pass. The Cowboys have a new set of six from 40m out.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
The play is ruled a knock on by Ennis. It's without a doubt the correct call but Ennis still has the look of disbelief on his face.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
It's Ennis again he grubbers from dummy half into the in goal and he with two other Cowboys get to the ball. The play is being referred to the video referee to make a decision on the play. On field call is no try.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
The Cowboys are forced to kick from 30m out on fifth tackle and Ennis charges it down. Jack Bird has possession and that is the type of energy the Sharks need to get back in this game.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Miachel Ennis uses the fourth tackle to grubber kick from 45m out down to the Cowboys goal line. Coote miss fields the bouncing ball and the Sharks trap him 3m out.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Coote's kick on fifth tackle is high and goes too long. Holmes takes an easy catch in the in goal and that means the Sharks will start a seven tackle set on the 20m line.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
On fifth the Sharks have made 80m and Robson's high kick is magnificently taken by Coote. Cowboys provide some energy out of their own end and make quick metres.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Granville sends Taumalolo at the line on fourth but the Sharks handle it comfortably. Fifth tackle sees Robson's foot intercept the kick and the Sharks halfback gains 30m on the first tackle.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Valentine Holmes makes an unforced error.
Holmes takes the hit up to give his forwards a rest but he has lost the ball cold in the tackle. The Cowboys will get a scrum from 35m out.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Lowe makes it to halfway on fifth tackle and a low kick to Gordon is fielded 10m out from the Sharks line.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Ethan Lowe unsuccessful.
from halfway between the left touchline and the middle of the field he leaves the kick to the right of the posts.
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Antonio Winterstein. Kick to come.
A traditional Cowboys set play normally run by JT gets them more points tonight. Across the left side of the field Morgan passes to Coote and that's where he attracts too much attention from the Sharks. Kane Linnet has the ball and runs in the clear, he passes further out to Winterstein to avoid the covering Gordon. Too easy!
North Queensland Cowboys 18-0
Penalty to the Cowboys. Granville is jumped on by a late extra man. They get a new set of six from 40m out.
North Queensland Cowboys 14-0
The Sharks get back into attacking field position but they are too quick to pass the ball onto the wing. Leutele gets the ball and is immediately bundled over the sideline by Wright.
North Queensland Cowboys 14-0
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Jason Taumalolo makes an unforced error.
Dropped on the ground during the tackle and they aren't treating possession with enough respect.
North Queensland Cowboys 14-0
The last play option for the Sharks was disappointing. They go for a try with a long range kick to the winger but the kick is shanked, it's safely in Matthew Wright's hands.
North Queensland Cowboys 14-0
Penalty to the Sharks. Without having earned their field position the Sharks have the chance to get back in the game. They get a set of six from 10m out of the line.
North Queensland Cowboys 14-0
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
James Tamou makes an unforced error.
Tamou comes up with no respect for ball security on the first set after points. That will be killing coach Green.
North Queensland Cowboys 14-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Ethan Lowe successful.
Too easy with the conversion.
North Queensland Cowboys 14-0
TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Justin O'Neill. Kick to come.
Another long range try. This time the Cowboys start their play from 60m out and some second man plays get Michael Morgan running directly at the defence. He throws a dummy to the wing and breaks through the line. Morgan in the back field passes to Justin O'Neill which means Gordon is on and island and O'Neill touches down.
North Queensland Cowboys 12-0
Ben Hannant is on for the injured Matt Scott and makes a god run to start.
North Queensland Cowboys 8-0
SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Penalty goal attempt by Ethan Lowe successful.
This attempt was 15m out in front of the posts and Lowe has no issues lining this one up.
North Queensland Cowboys 8-0
Another penalty conceded by Prior, this time it's now 10m out from the Sharks line. He affected James Tamou's play the ball. It looks like North Queensland will take a penalty goal.
North Queensland Cowboys 6-0
It's severe enough for Scott to come from the field and it'll be a free interchange due to the injury.
North Queensland Cowboys 6-0
Matt Scott on the first set after points ends up injured around the neck in what only looks like an accidental crusher tackle from Matt Prior.
North Queensland Cowboys 6-0
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Ethan Lowe successful.
The second rower looked like a natural kicking that goal.
North Queensland Cowboys 6-0
TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Jake Granville. Kick to come.
Granville puts in a solo effort from dummy half and runs 60m between three Cronulla forwards to land himself a try under the black dot. Normally that works late in the game with tired forwards, that was not good for the Sharks to concede 12 minutes in.
North Queensland Cowboys 4-0
All the Sharks backs are shifting across the left side of the field running a set play. Gordon passes on to Feki running the touch line but he drops the ball 5m out.
0 all
Robson finds space with a dummy 5m from the line but Matt Scott's effort comes up with a great try saver. The Sharks though squeeze the ball into the in goal and the Cowboys must prepare for a goal line drop out.
0 all
UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Antonio Winterstein makes an unforced error.
He's lost the ball running into the line. The Sharks are now in a prime attacking position, 30m out.
0 all
The Sharks make 50m and the fifth tackle kick is easily taken by Coote.
0 all
From 40m out of the Cronulla line Morgan comes up with a dull kick which goes straight down Gordon's throat. JT there would have been better with the kick placement.
0 all
Jeff Robson gains excellent metres on a fifth tackle kick and Coote is forced into the in goal to retrieve the ball.
0 all
Surprisingly the Sharks come up with some great defence on their line. On fifth tackle the Cronulla players all rush and up pressure Coote into a dropped ball.
0 all
Penalty to the Cowboys. Andrew Fifta is charged with misconduct in the ruck and the Cowboys have a full set to utilise from 20m out.
0 all
UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Wade Graham makes an unforced error.
Excellent metres were made from the Sharks forwards in this set but Wade Graham losses control of the ball while being tackled by three North Queensland players.
0 all
Taumalolo is only just taken down by Heighington on fourth tackle, 2m out from the line. Granville attempts to barge over from dummy half on fifth but no dice. Cronulla will start their set on their line.
0 all
UNFORCED ERROR CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS
Ricky Leutele makes an unforced error.
45m out on tackle three Leutele makes an awful play the ball. The Cowboys will get great field position early.
0 all
Matt Scott and Gavin Cooper looked strong in the first set of the night. Morgan will kick on fifth down to the Cronulla 20m line and Feki returns the ball.
0 all
Well it's the Sharks to kick off and get us underway. Here we go!
0 all
Cronulla are running out. This is a family friendly crowd, there was no booing for the Sharks. Never I rugby league have I seen this happen!
0 all
Welcome to this Round 16 clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cronulla Sharks. For this 5:30pm kick off the sky is clear and the pitch looks like it's going to host some fast, expansive footy. Both teams are 1-17 which means both Jonathan Thurston and Paul Gallen are out tonight. Will the Cowboys have the drive and class to keep their 11 game winning streak alive? Especially without JT and playing against a bottom eight opponent? Can the Sharks provide the upset and join the top 8? Stay tuned for kick off around 5:35pm.
0 all
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Grant Atkins, Gavin Reynolds
Touch Judges: Michael Wise, Belinda Sleeman
Video Referee: Bernard Sutton, Steve Folkes
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (18)
Tries: Jake Granville, Justin O'Neill, Antonio Winterstein
Field Goals:
Conversions: Ethan Lowe (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Ethan Lowe (1/1)
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (24)
Tries: Luke Lewis, Sam Tagataese, Andrew Fifita, Ricky Leutele
Field Goals:
Conversions: Michael Gordon (4/4)
Penalty Goals: