North Queensland scored twice inside the last 10 minutes to deny the Vodafone Junior Warriors victory in Saturday’s seventh-round NYC match at 1300SMILESt Stadium in Townsville.
When captain Toafofoa Sipley scored his second try of the game the Vodafone Junior Warriors had a 28-16 lead heading into the final stages only to concede two touchdowns for the score-line to read 28-28 with two minutes left.
The Cowboys went close to stealing the result with a long-range field goal but the Vodafone Junior Warriors had to settle for a draw, a result which leaves them fifth on the table with nine points.
Earlier centre Marata Niukore, Sipley and fullback Brad Abbey had scored to help their side to a 14-10 halftime lead.
Match details | 1300SMILES, Stadium, Townsville
North Queensland Cowboys 28 (Viliame Kikau 2, Gideon Mosby, Coen Hess, Jordan Kenworthy tries; Coen Hess 4 conversions).
Vodafone Junior Warriors 28 (Toafofoa Sipley 2, Marata Niukore, Brad Abbey, Paul Ulberg tries; Ata Hingano 4 conversions).
Halftime: 14-10 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
Referee: Peter Gough.
Vodafone Junior Warriors: Brad Abbey; Tomas Aoake, Semisi Tyrell, Marata Niukore, Paul Ulberg; Ata Hingano, Erin Clark; Bunty Afoa, Nathaniel Roache, Toafoafoa Sipley (c); Ofahiki Ogden, Matiu Love-Henry; Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: Sheldon Pitama, Paul Tuli, Amoni Tufui, Mattais Heimuli.
