Holmes field goal sinks valiant Warriors in Cowboys win

A 39-metre field goal by Valentine Holmes has sealed a memorable and action-packed win for North Queensland over the Warriors in Townsville.

Trailing 28-22 with ten minutes to play, the Cowboys seemed gassed and all but out of the contest.

But when Holmes found Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the 75th minute on halfway, the centre stepped inside to streak away and score with the fullback making it a tied game with the conversion.

Valentine Holmes celebrates after kicking the winning field goal in the NRL clash between the North Queensland Cowboys and the New Zealand Warriors Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Coen Hess made a meal of his play the ball from the restart to gift the Warriors, who trailed 22-6 at halftime, a perfect opportunity to ice the game but Chanel Harris-Tavita missed a drop goal from right in front.

The hosts edged to within 30 metres of the Warriors line before Holmes slotted a field goal to secure the Cowboys’ fifth straight win at home.

After trailing by 16 at the half, the Warriors were right back in the contest when Euan Aitken scored in the 43rd minute.

A blistering 80m run by teenage sensation Reece Walsh then followed, with the 18-year-old doing just enough to hold off a chasing Heilum Luki.

New Zealand Warriors’ Kodi Nikorima in action against the North Queensland Cowboys Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Marcelo Montoya and Ben Murdoch-Masila then bagged try’s with the visitors looking on track to runaway with a Cowboys-patented comeback victory.

But Holmes stepped up in the final ten to lift his side and secure a memorable win for a side heading (6-6) heading into the bye week.

Early on, tries to Kyle Feldt and Murray Taulagi set the tone for the Cowboys after the Warriors hit the ground running through Aitken in the second minute.

The Warriors lost Jazz Tevaga to the bin in the 31st minute for a late shot on Luki and the home side capitalised.

On 36 minutes, Jake Clifford grubbered and regathered ahead of some tired Warriors defence and then in the next set, Reece Robson freed an arm to offload to Scott Drinkwater who pinned the ears back and streaked away from 50m out to score.

The Cowboys enjoyed 60 per cent possession and an 86 per cent completion rate in the first half, helping them to a comfortable lead going into the sheds.