Cowboys score much-needed victory
Cowboys score much-needed victory
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys scored an important 24-20 victory over the second-placed St George Illawarra Dragons at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night.
Played at a frantic pace, this match had many highlights as both sides threw everything into the opposition's defence, but it was the Cowboys who endured the early pressure to take the lead in the eighth minute after Johnathan Thurston scored the first of three tries.
The game hung in the balance though when the Dragons struck back in the 12th minute and then ground out a 10-8 half time lead, and it was not until the 71st minute of play that the Cowboys took an eight-point lead to create some breathing space.
Typical of this match, St George scored two minutes from full time to cause more anxious moments but the Cowboys defence hung on to register this much needed victory.
Leading brilliantly, and in scintillating form, Johnathan Thurston capitalised often on the strong Cowboys forward play and ran to the line to keep the defence in two minds.
His three-try effort was outstanding, but St George’s Brett Morris went one better, scoring four tries in a memorable display.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys 24 (Johnathan Thurston 3, James Tamou try, Johnathan Thurston 4 goals) d St George Illawarra Dragons 20 (Brett Morris 4 tries, Jamie Soward 2 goals)
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys scored an important 24-20 victory over the second-placed St George Illawarra Dragons at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night.
Played at a frantic pace, this match had many highlights as both sides threw everything into the opposition's defence, but it was the Cowboys who endured the early pressure to take the lead in the eighth minute after Johnathan Thurston scored the first of three tries.
The game hung in the balance though when the Dragons struck back in the 12th minute and then ground out a 10-8 half time lead, and it was not until the 71st minute of play that the Cowboys took an eight-point lead to create some breathing space.
Typical of this match, St George scored two minutes from full time to cause more anxious moments but the Cowboys defence hung on to register this much needed victory.
Leading brilliantly, and in scintillating form, Johnathan Thurston capitalised often on the strong Cowboys forward play and ran to the line to keep the defence in two minds.
His three-try effort was outstanding, but St George’s Brett Morris went one better, scoring four tries in a memorable display.
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys 24 (Johnathan Thurston 3, James Tamou try, Johnathan Thurston 4 goals) d St George Illawarra Dragons 20 (Brett Morris 4 tries, Jamie Soward 2 goals)