Moses field goal against Cowboys lifts Eels well clear of wooden spoon
First he was on the spot to receive a freakish offload from five-eighth Dean Hawkins and score in the 28th minute.
Five minutes later, the former NSW Origin and Kangaroos flyer flashed past a host of Cowboys defenders and won the race to regather a grubber from Moses and score.
Four minutes into the second half, Moses sparked an attacking raid and fullback Joash Papalii threw a sweet ball that sent centre Will Penisini over.
Lomax converted to nudge the Eels 10 points ahead.
The Cowboys hit back in the 52nd minute when Semi Valemei intercepted and appeared certain to score a long-range try, only to be chased down by Addo-Carr.
From the ensuing play-the-ball, North Queensland swung the ball to the opposite flank, where Braidon Burns scored.
Laybutt's unsuccessful conversion attempt left the Eels clinging to an 18-12 lead.
Two minutes later, it was back to all-square after Clifford launched a bomb, Papalii fumbled and Purdue raced over to score between the posts. Laybutt converted to level the scores.
A long-range Moses drop goal in the 75th minute broke the deadlock.
Two big names – one from each team – made notable returns to action.
Parramatta recalled Newcastle-bound Dylan Brown for his first game in almost a month, naming him in the centres to replace injured Sean Russell.
Cowboys champion Jason Taumalolo, meanwhile, made his first appearance since he tore a calf muscle on May 3. Playing in only his seventh game of the season, the veteran forward lasted 22 minutes in his first stint.
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He returned to the action midway through the second half.
There was drama in the 67th minute, when Burns threw a pass on a kick-return that bounced off the North Queensland trainer, before it was dived on by Laybutt.
Parramatta protested, but referee Kennedy ruled play on.
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7NEWS
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- 7NEWS
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News.com.au
8 hours ago
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Mitch Cohen's race-by-race tips and inside mail for Newcastle on Thursday
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News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Newcastle preview: All eyes on Matt Smith's progressive import Inncourt
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Congrats ðŸ'�ðŸ'� #winners — Wyong Race Club (@WyongRaceClub) June 8, 2025 • A tick-over trial over 1200m where he finished alongside talented import Birdman has Inncourt primed for a big return to the races. He is expected to relish the step up in trip and the wider surrounds of Newcastle racecourse with Ash Morgan aboard. Inncourt is a $4.40 chance to win again. 'Newcastle should suit him,' Smith said. 'He is going good and has a good gate. 'I am happy with him, he just needs a bit of racing.' Stablemates Icon Dream ($11) and Septimus ($21) line up together in the Custom Built Projects Class 1 & Maiden (1880m). Icon Dream didn't beat a runner home first-up at the mile but Smith believes she will take plenty of benefit from the run while Septimus is stepping up over a more preferable trip at his third career start. 'Icon Dream wasn't too bad first-up,' Smith said. 'I think she will improve and Septimus will improve too because he wasn't terrible at Gosford, he was just green. 'He will probably go forward and make his own luck and she will be somewhere right behind him I think. 'She has been promising to win one and the owners have been pretty patient but she is only second-up and will be better with another run under the belt.' Lady Memphis is yet to place in four starts this preparation but Smith is confident the mare is going better than that form suggests. The daughter of Invader gets the chance to bounce back in the All Steel Sheds Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m) with Louise Day aboard. 'We will try and be handy on Lady Memphis,' Smith said. 'This race there are a couple there that go all right but will win some races. 'It was a bit of a mess the other day, she jumped good and was wide and went back but she was good the start before. 'Her runs have been OK and I think she won't be far away on Thursday.' â– â– â– â– â– Vigouroux has big expectations for Four Pillars hope Trainer Philippe Vigouroux can start plotting a course towards the $500,000 Four Pillars Midway if Unreal Expectation can complete a sensational winning hat-trick at Newcastle on Thursday. Unreal Expectation can cap off a memorable debut racing preparation when he hunts his third win at just his fifth start in the Buildcert Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m). The son of Under The Louvre is yet to miss the placings and has put together back-to-back victories in the NSW Central West at Bathurst and Forbes. Vigouroux, who trains alongside his wife Tara, plans to send Unreal Expectation for a short break after his provincial debut with big plans in mind. 'I know I have to look up all the time and I do get a bit excited but he could be a horse for the Four Pillars,' he said. 'If we can build up his Benchmark, why not? 'We had Lemaire finish third (in 2022) with Willie Pike on board when he was stuck on the fence and he said 'if I got out when I wanted, I just win'. 'He was an emergency and we were lucky to get a run but we have to dream a little bit.' The Four Pillars, set down for November 1, is raced as a Benchmark 68 under handicap conditions. Unreal Expectation has a rating of 59 heading into his latest assignment and would do his chances of making the Four Pillars a considerable boost with victory. Vigouroux believes he hasn't put a foot wrong this prep. 'He has had four runs this preparation and four very good runs,' he said. 'His two wins came with decent times. The race at Bathurst was run accordingly at Bathurst and the track was heavy at Forbes. 'He has kept improving. His work earlier this week was really good.' Unreal Expectation is a $5.50 chance with Chad Lever set to continue his association with the gelding. Team Vigouroux will kick off the day with the lightly-raced Torpedo Ted ($26) in the Custom Built Projects Class 1 & Maiden (1880m). Torpedo Ted is still a work in progress, according to Vigouroux. 'He will be a decent horse in six months' time,' he said. 'He is by Adelaide so he is going to need a bit more time so we will see what happens. 'We won't get too excited with him yet but his time will come, he's a lovely horse.'
