The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Under-20s have come from behind to win their Round 2 National Youth Competition match against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Rookie halfback Jake Clifford was the two-try hero in the match, the plucky teen scoring with a nice solo effort in the 76th minute to put his team in front after they earlier relinquished 10-0 and 16-12 leads.
Clifford also scored in the first half, adding to efforts from winger Mick Carroll and prop Kaleb Fuimaono as the visitors had the better of the opening 40 minutes.
The Broncos, though – aided by a glut of possession courtesy of Cowboys handling errors – spent an eternity in their opponents’ 20m zone either side of the half, and scored consecutive tries to take an 18-16 lead, which they would hold on to until three-and-a-half minutes from full time.
Aaron Payne’s young charges have won back-to-back games to start the season.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys 20 (Jake Clifford 2, Michael Carroll, Kaleb Fuimaono tries; Jake Clifford 2/4 goals) def Brisbane Broncos 18 (Eddie Blacker, Julian Christian tries; Gerome Burns 3/3 goals) at Suncorp Stadium.
