North Queensland come from behind in late win over Canberra Raiders

VIDEO highlights: An Antonio Winterstein wonder try secured North Queensland Cowboys a narrow win over Canberra.

Antonio Winterstein of the Cowboys scores a try.

IT’S only round one but Antonio Winterstein may already have try of the year sewn up after a physics-defying game-winning effort for the Cowboys.

The Cowboys proved their mental toughness rebounding from a shock 16-0 deficit to Canberra after just 30 minutes to win a 28-22 thriller in Townsville.

Victory was only assured in the shadows of full-time because a Reece Robinson intercept try and penalty goal had scores level at 22-all with 13 minutes remaining.

Five minutes later came the amazing put down from Winterstein, who had no right to score in the left corner as Robinson hurled him into touch.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 08: Kyle Feldt of the Cowboys scores a try during the round

To make it even more incredible, Johnathan Thurston opted not to kick for a penalty goal from 42m out.

The tap and resulting set of six saw Winterstein finally put a game most expected to be a Cowboys cakewalk to bed.

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“It was just fingers-crossed when it went up to the video ref,” Winterstein said.

The Cowboys’ gutsy victory, Paul Green’s first as an NRL head coach, came despite a master class from 19-year-old Raider Anthony Milford.

However many zeroes the Broncos had to put in Milford’s contract to lure him from the Raiders for next season, it was worth it.

James Tamou on the charge.

As Cyclone Gillian bore down on Townsville last night, Milford was a hurricane of athleticism for the Raiders.

New Canberra coach Ricky Stuart must be kicking himself the Raiders allowed the kid to leave at the end of this season.

In the first half alone he saved three tries, set a try up out of nothing and had his own four-pointer unfairly denied.

He even confronted a run-away Jason Taumalolo and not only survived, but stopped the giant backrower from scoring.

While the class of the star-studded Cowboys team eventually proved too much for the youthful Raiders, Milford was a class above.

The Raiders shocked the Cowboys early in front of 12,121 home fans when Milford ran short side, stepped one defender and put winger Edrick Lee away to score.

Antonio Winterstein’s unbelievable try to give the Cowboys the win.

After rookie winger Kyle Feldt notched first points for the home side, Thurston did what he often does, something special.

With six minutes remaining in the half, Thurston took a quick tap on his own 30 metre line and sprinted past confused Raiders who had their backs turned expecting a kick for touch.

Thurston then bamboozled the three-man cover defence with a trademark show and go to score a sensational solo try.

It brought the lead back to 16-10 at halftime, and a sense the home team was in control.

Tries to Cowboys Gavin Cooper and Rory Kostjaysn bagged the Cowboys a lead and then Winterstein’s special sealed it.

NORTH QUEENSLAND 28 (G Cooper K Feldt R Kostjasyn J Thurston A Winterstein tries J Thurston 4 goals) bt CANBERRA 22 (J Croker E Lee J Papalii R Robinson tries J Croker A Milford R Robinson goals) at 1300SMILES Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Brett Suttor. Crowd: 12,121