As it happened: Cowboys fire against Knights; Wests Tigers outclass Manly

Post match

Knights press conference

Cowboys press conference

Fulltime: The Cowboys get the job done in style against the Knights, running in for six tries and holding the Knights to one in a 38-4 victory. Fullback Scott Drinkwater scored the first try of the match as well as the last as his side led from start to finish, showcasing some nice attack for their home fans. For the Knights, despite some flashes of effort - including a huge chase down of Drinkwater by Tyson Frizell, it was another disappointing loss. Coach Adam O'Brien would be particularly disappointed with the 66 percent completion rate, but the Cowboys weren't much better, finishing with 67 percent. As well as Drinkwater, with two try assists, Tom Dearden was another strong performer for the Cowboys, as was Braidon Burns, with 264 run metres. In the forwards, Jason Taumalolo made his presence felt in his second game back from a long layoff with a calf injury.

79th min: Small win for the Knights, with another successful captain's challenge to give them one last roll of the dice with the ball.

73rd min: After setting up the last try, Drinkwater benefits to score his own with some strong lead-up play. An offload from Jason Taumalolo sets up Dearden to go for a run, with Drinkwater trailing inside, ready to take his pass and run up through the middle of the field to score. He converts and it's 38-4. 

67th min: However, the earlier defensive effort from the Knights was in vain, with the Cowboys getting over the line again through Nanai, who pounces on a clever kick in behind the defence from close range by Drinkwater. He converts again and the score is stretched out to 32-4. 

Not a lot has gone the way of the Knights this afternoon, but you can only applaud the effort from veteran Tyson Frizell who has been one of the best for his side. In an end-to-end play where the Knights firstly made a promising break down their right edge through Young, before his pass inside was dropped by rookie fullback Votano. The Cowboys made a counter-attack and it looked like Drinkwater would run all the way, only for the Knights lock to bring him down, with the effort allowing his team to get back into the frame to shut down the resulting play. 

54th min: Finally, some joy for the Knights, with Dom Young flying high to bring down a kick from Arthar, spinning at the line to score. The conversion attempt is missed by Votano however, so it stays 24-6. 

51st min: The Cowboys lose their captain's challenge with the Bunker confirming an error from Purdue who had argued he was tackled without the ball by Dom Young, who forced an error.

47th min: More points for the Cowboys to start the second half, with Jaxon Purdue sprinting away to start the half well for his side. The Bunker confirms the try, despite some protestation from the Knights of a possible obstruction, with it deemed Arthur makes the choice to tackle Nanai without the ball, before he trips over. Drinkwater converts to extend the lead to 26-0. 

Halftime: The Cowboys head to the sheds with an imposing 20-0 lead, after denying the Knights throughout the first half. They have had their opportunities, but just could not execute - even when they had a one-player advantage when Reece Robson was sent to the sin bin. North Queensland however have pounced when they have had the chance and will be hoping to keep up this intensity into the second half. Both sides have made plenty of errors (10-9 to the Cowboys), but North Queensland have had the bulk of possession, enjoying 58 percent of the ball. 

32nd min: Cowboys go back-to-back with Braidon Burns latches onto a Jake Arthur pass for an intercept, running 80 metres to score. Another conversion for Drinkwater and it's blow out to a 20-0 lead.

30th min: Tom Dearden scoops up a ball on the deck and runs through to touch the ball down, but it is sent up as a 'no try' by Cole after he deemed it be a steal from Cotter that dislodges the ball. However, the Bunker overrules, calling it a loose carry and the Cowboys are able to extend their lead. Drinkwater slots the conversion for 14-0. 

21st min: Saifiti is denied a try again, with some fantastic defence from Drinkwater who knocks the ball free as the big man was looking to put the ball down under the sticks after taking an offload from Leo Thompson. Score remains 8-0.

19th min: Reece Robson is sent to the sin bin for a professional foul after tackling Jacob Saifiti before he caught the ball as he was looking to catch the ball and score. However, as he was a few metres out and another Cowboys defender in Jeremiah Nanai was also in the vicinity, it's not a penalty try. 

14th min: A successful captain's challenge from the Knights for a 'disrupter' - which put rookie fullback Connor Votano off his attempt. 

12th min: Cowboys edge further in front with a Drinkwater penalty goal. Home side lead 8-0. 

6th min: First points of the afternoon to the home side with Scott Drinkwater running in for a try. The Cowboys attacked out to their right, with the late inclusion Viliami Vailea slotting a pass back inside to his fullback. Drinkwater converts his own for a 6-0 lead. 

Kick off: The Knights have the first use of the ball in the match in Townsville, but drama already with Cowboys co-captain Reuben Cotter looking worse for wear after making a tackle. 

Ref watch: Congratulations to match official Jarrod Cole who makes his NRL debut today. Cole - who hails from the QRL High Performance Academy - has undergone , overcoming a heart attack only a few seasons ago to work his way back into full fitness. 

Late Mail

Cowboys: A late switch, with Viliami Vailea coming into the centres, moving Zac Laybutt back to the bench. Kai O'Donnell drops from the bench and is the new 18th player. Earlier, Harrison Edwards was named to return after spending last weekend in hospital with a blood infection. Veteran Jordan McLean (calf) is also set to complete his comeback and will replace the suspended Coen Hess. Thomas Mikaele (knee) and Karl Lawton (suspension) are set to return to the field via the interchange. 

Knights: NSW Under 19 representative Connor Votano is set for his NRL debut after being called into the side. The youngster will start at fullback, with Dane Gagai shifting to the centres and Fletcher Hunt dropping out. Phoenix Crossland is also set to miss the clash due to a head knock, with Tyson Frizell to start at lock. No late changes.

Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium

Post match

Sea Eagles press conference

Wests Tigers press conference

Fulltime: Wests Tigers post their ninth win of the season with an impressive 26-12 performance against the Sea Eagles. After giving up the first try of the game in just the opening minute - the home side were able to regroup effectively and shut down their opponents with some spirited attacking play, only conceding again in the second last minute. Overall, they enjoyed 57 percent of the possession with 1748 run metres to 1360. Forward Terrell May topped the run metres for the game with 199. 

79th min: In the second last minute of the game, the Sea Eagles finally have their second try of the match, with Matt Lodge just able to dot the ball down on the grass after Manly enjoy some back-to-back sets. DCE converts for a 26-12 scoreline. 

75th min: Wests Tigers edge further in front with a penalty goal, slotted by Doueihi. This comes after the Sea Eagles challenged the ruling of Jason Saab collecting line drop out. The challenge is inconclusive and the Tigers go ahead with their penalty goal attempt and lead 26-4. 

62nd min: A short pass at the line from Jarome Luai to Taylan May results in another try to the Tigers. What makes it more galling for the Sea Eagles is they had their own chance down the other end of the field, but for a DCE attempted pass out to his wing instead bounces of the player running in support. May's run to the line, which stops up Tom Trbojevic at fullback with a Tigers player also coming the same direction, is cleared by the Bunker and they go further ahead. Doueihi slots the kick again and it's 24-6. 

Injury alert - Tigers centre Starford To'a is off the field with a suspected AC injury. 

54th min: Sunia Turuva makes the Sea Eagles pay for their wastefulness at the other end of the field and scores a try to put the home side further in front. Doueihi converts once more and it's 18-6. 

53rd min: Drama as two Tigers collide at the back, coughing up the ball to the Sea Eagles. However, they are able to hold on in defence and even force a poor play from Tommy Taulau, who tries to push his way over to score, falls short, then promotes the ball in a double movement. Tigers get the penalty. 

49th min: An unsuccessful captain's challenge from Wests Tigers, with a penalty against Api Koroisau for deliberately throwing the ball into an opposition player upheld.

Halftime: A hectic end to the half which ends with an unsuccessful field goal attempt from Daly Cherry-Evans. The home side walk off with a 12-6 lead, a remarkable turnaround after conceding a poor try in the opening minute. The Sea Eagles will be without Reuben Garrick for the rest of the game, after the gun back was sidelined with a shoulder injury. The Tigers have had 55 percent of the possession and have made four line breaks to one and 31 tackle breaks to 20 to help their attacking advantage. 

33rd min: Wests Tigers hit the lead with Jeral Skelton going over just inside the right touch line with plenty of attention from Manly defenders. The Tigers were attacking the posts before flinging the ball out to their edge, with their winger able to run through. Doueihi converts again for a 12-6 lead. 

27th min: Bit of action with Jason Saab and Samuela Fainu competing for a high kick, Saab gets Fainu on the head accidentally when both are going for the ball and Fainu knocks on before Saab then takes the ball over the dead ball line. After all that including the Bunker taking a look, Manly get the back and run it out. Still 6-6.

Injury alert: Reuben Garrick has come off the field with a reported shoulder injury.

11th min: After a terrible start, Wests Tigers have had the better of play and make the most of it with try to Adam Doueihi. The Tigers receive a long line drop out and work they way back to their attacking zone and can capitalise with some enterprising play at their line. Doueihi converts his own try and it's locked up at 6-6. 

1st min: Tolutau Koula is on the board in the first minute for Manly with a fantastic individual try to get things rolling. In their first set, the Sea Eagles go to their left, with Koula spinning his way out of tackles in the line and bursting down field and then pushing away the next line of defence to score. Reuben Garrick converts and it's 6-0. 

Kick-off: Wests Tigers kick off to the Sea Eagles in this important match for the visitors. 

Late Mail

Wests Tigers: Taylan May is set to line up at centre after progressing through the head knock protocols during the Tigers' bye. Starford To'a will join him in the centres after missing the win over the Bulldogs, with Brent Naden dropping out of the side. No late changes on game day. 

Sea Eagles: Lehi Hopoate is on track to return from a shoulder injury, Tom Trbojevic will retain the starting fullback role. Hopoate will line up on the wing, with Reuben Garrick in the centres and Tommy Talau moving back to the bench. Ben Trbojevic is set to make his return from a concussion, however brother Jake will sit out Sunday's game after suffering a head knock last week. No late changes.