Wests Tigers have stunned the North Queensland Cowboys 13-12 in their second of the 2016 Auckland Nines, putting them in a great position to qualify for the finals.
Having gone down to the Penrith Panthers in their opening game, Jason Taylor's side went into the game as extreme outsiders, but quickly found themselves in front after Jack Littlejohn crashed over after just 60 seconds to give Wests Tigers the lead.
He converted his own try to push the advantage to 6-0.
Two tries to Cowboys flyer Gideon Gela-Mosby saw Paul Green's men take a 8-6 lead into the sheds at half-time, but Wests Tigers would not go down without a fight — re-taking the lead mid-way through the second half when Manaia Cherrington dove over.
The premiers continued to threaten late in the match, but some stirring defence saw Wests Tigers hold on to a 13-12 lead and emerge with a valuable two competition points.
Wests Tigers will look to qualify for the finals when they take on the Newcastle Knights on Sunday at 11:25am local time (9:25am Sydney time).
FULL TIME — Wests Tigers 13 (Littlejohn, Cherrington tries; Littlejohn 2/2 goals) def. North Queensland Cowboys 12 (Gela-Mosby 2, Winterstein tries; Cowboys 0/3 goals)
