NRL: Cowboys snap losing streak

1000-plus: Johnathan Thurston. Photo / Getty Images

Cowboys 28
Sharks 20

It was a case of the Sharks having nothing to lose and the Cowboys risking losing their season's direction last night in Townsville.

Both had to snap losing streaks - the Cowboys three straight and the Sharks six. North Queensland eventually triumphed 28-20.

It means the Cowboys move to 32 points and into a temporary fourth on the ladder until the Warriors play today.

Cronulla produced stoic defence especially heading towards the hour mark. They were led by lock Jeremy Smith and skipper Paul Gallen under huge pressure, as North Queensland kept surging towards the visitors' line. Eventually space was created for Ashley Graham once the ball had been hot-potatoed across the park to the right.

The Cowboys may have won the match but suffered some bigger picture setbacks. Johnathan Thurston moved beyond 1000 career first grade points but lost his tactical kicking mojo and didn't direct as effectively as usual; Tariq Sims was lost for the season, going down in anguish late in the first half with a suspected broken ankle; Dallas Johnson almost lost his head courtesy of an unintentional Gallen knee flush into his chops in the 49th minute; and the Cowboys lost their midfield defence who went awol on two occasions. One ended in a try to Sharks halfback Wade Graham, the other saw fullback Isaac Gordon spill the ball on the line in the tackle of a desperate Ashley Graham.

Gordon had already struck in the first minute of the game - the seventh straight week the Cowboys have conceded the first points in a match - when the Sharks unfurled a spectacular movement across the park.

They reclaimed the lead with 15 minutes to go when Paul Aiton came off the bench, darted down the right side, found Albert Kelly and then backed up to score. But the Cowboys fought back with a second try to Jason Taumalolo who ran hard all night for a valuable 125 metres. Matt Bowen sealed the match with a try in the final minute.

Cowboys 28 (J. Taumalolo 2, G. Hall, A. Graham, M. Bowen tries, J. Thurston 4 goals) Sharks 20 (I. Gordon, W. Graham, P. Aiton tries, J. Williams 4 goals) Halftime: Sharks 14-6.

The Bulldogs scored five tries - and 26 unanswered points in an astonishing second half, overturning a 22-6 halftime deficit against Newcastle. Ben Barba scored the crucial 70th minute try which took his side into the lead. Five minutes later, he scored a great second.

Bulldogs 32 (J. Morris, S. Turner, J. Reynolds, J. Idris, B. Barba 2 tries; S. Turner 4 goals), Knights 22 (K. Gidley, R. Fa'aoso tries; Gidley 4 goals).

Penrith spoiled retiring Raiders skipper Alan Tongue's final game with a gritty 19-18 victory last night. A 79th minute Canberra try ensured a grandstand finish but a controversial decision to not award a penalty in the dying seconds denied the Raiders a potential match-winning 50m penalty shot.

Panthers 19 (L. Walsh, B. Tighe, D. Simmons tries; Walsh 3 goals, field goal) Raiders 18 (J. McCrone, A. Tongue, M. Picker tries; J. Croker 3 goals).