Chloe Schibeci reviews the Queensland derby between North Queensland and the Gold Coast. Here’s how the game went.
SCOREBOARD
Titans 36
Tries: Brian Kelly (17, 50), Alexander Brimson (23), David Fifita (32), Beau Fermor (53), Ashley Taylor (68), Patrick Herbert (78).
Goals: Toby Sexton (19, 51, 55, 70).
Cowboys 14
Tries: Tom Dearden (37), Valentine Holmes (59), Kyle Feldt (74).
Goals: Valentine Holmes (60).
Player of the Year Points
3 pts – Ashley Taylor (Gold Coast Titans)
2 pts – Alexander Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
1 pt – Kyle Feldt (North Queensland Cowboys)
MATCH REPORT
1st Half
The first points of the game were scored by (and quickly taken away from) the Gold Coast Titans, after the try went under review to find Corey Thompson had dropped the ball upon contact with the Cowboys’ defence. Both the Titans and the Cowboys ramped up their defensive efforts; however, the Titans’ attack was looking superior, completing at 100 per cent for the majority of the first half. Their ball control allowed them to be the first to score for the afternoon, Brian Kelly scoring a try in the 17th minute of play – a much-needed confidence boost for the side to build up momentum.
A second try came from Alexander Brimson with 15 minutes remaining in the first half. The Titans continued to assert their dominance while the Cowboys scrambled in defence, hoping to prevent their opposition scoring additional points. The Gold Coast scored an additional try through David Fifita. The Titans now lead 14 points to nil, while the Cowboys tried desperately to make as much ground as possible to score their first points of the game. This proved to be a difficult task, however, considering their lack of possession (37 per cent overall).
All the defensive efforts from the Cowboys, however, paid off with just two minutes remaining in the first half. A kick from the Titans’ Ash Taylor bounced in favour of North Queensland, Tom Dearden catching the ball and running the length of the field to get the Cowboys on the board. An failed conversion closed the gap to 10 points.
HALF-TIME: Gold Coast Titans 14 North Queensland Cowboys 4
2nd Half
The Titans continued to dominate in the early stages of the second half, Kelly scoring his second try of the night in the 50th minute. Toby Sexton converted for the second time of the night, taking the Gold Coast to a 16-point lead. Only a couple of minutes later, the Cowboys were desperately defending their own line; however, the Titans prevailed and Beau Fermor scored off a kick at the end of their set.
The Titans were denied a sixth try of the afternoon, and the Cowboys capitalised on this opportunity to finally score their second of the afternoon. North Queensland made their way up into the Titans’ half and a kick in-field from Kyle Feldt found the hands of fullback Valentine Holmes, who scored under the post. Holmes converted his own try, taking the Cowboys to 10 points. Their defensive sets following felt more intentional, desperate to prevent the Titans from scoring more points.
The Titans found themselves in front by 20 points, after a bit of individual brilliance from Corey Thompson, who ran down the touchline, placing two perfect kicks, the second finding Ash Taylor who grounded the ball perfectly for the Gold Coast.
Feldt scored a try for the Cowboys with just five minutes to go, in a last-ditch attempt to narrow the margin between the two sides. The Titans’ Patrick Herbert followed suit, and scored a final try for the Gold Coast in the last minutes of the game.
FULL-TIME: Gold Coast Titans 36 North Queensland Cowboys 14
Injuries
to be advised
Match Review Committee
to be advised
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