Cowboys 26 Sea Eagles 12
Johnathan Thurston showed his class as a tactician and goalkicker as the North Queensland Cowboys scored an important win over the Manly Sea Eagles at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville last night.
Thurston had a perfect five-from-five kicking record and was the organisational mastermind as the Cowboys repelled the Sea Eagles in humid conditions.
The Cowboys scored four tries to two and deserved their win, built on the foundations of solid defence and opportunist attacks.
Manly were in contention for most of the game, with Steve Matai and Matt Orford outstanding, but made too many mistakes under the pressure of a smothering defence.
It was a continuation of their season of woe.
It was also a continuation of the Cowboys' improved form after their comprehensive last-start win over Cronulla.
Both teams went into the game with two win-four loss records, with Manly having lost star fullback Brett Stewart to knee surgery.
The Cowboys started strongly, with wing Ben Farrar scoring after three minutes when he gathered a chip from Travis Burns from under the noses of the Manly defenders. Thurston converted the try from the sideline.
But the Sea Eagles equalised seven minutes later when front rower Glenn Hall barged over between the posts and Jamie Lyon converted.
The Cowboys regained the lead after 23 minutes when second rower Scott Bolton broke two tackles and crashed over from close range, Thurston adding the conversion.
North Queensland lost backrower Luke O'Donnell to the sin bin following a fracas after 30 minutes but Thurston added to the Cowboys lead with a penalty from 36m.
It could have been bigger still but a try to fullback Matty Bowen just before halftime was controversially ruled out because of obstructive running.
Manly started the second spell with more purpose and scored after seven minutes, with five-eighth Chris Bailey shrugging off three tackles to crash over between the posts. Lyon converted and Manly had closed the gap to two points.
The Sea Eagles, revitalised in the second half, dominated the third quarter territorially but the Cowboys defence held.
And, after 25 minutes, the Cowboys counter-attacked with a thrilling try, initiated by Thurston and finished off in style by Bowen. Thurston's conversion restored the lead to eight points.
The Cowboys finished off with Bowden scoring his second try, a brilliant team effort, just before the final hooter. Thurston converted.
North Queensland Cowboys 26 (B. Farrar, S. Bolton, M. Bowen, 2, tries, J. Thurston 4 cons, pen) Manly Sea Eagles 12 (G. Hall, C. Bailey tries, J. Lyon 2 conversions). Halftime: North Queensland, 14-6.
