Don’t be fooled by the scoreline, the Queensland derby provided an absolute thriller in front of 11,226 fans at Cbus Super Stadium.
MATCH DETAILS
In a week shadowed by State of Origin, the Titans and the Cowboys brought it out of the dark and put on a classic. While there weren’t a lot of points scored, there was no struggle to find highlights as the game was full of heart in mouth moments. The Titans went into this game coming off a strong win in Manly and were hoping to take advantage of a depleted Cowboys side.
Gold Coast started the game well and were looking ominous. That was until it came to a head, a Kevin Proctor offload led to a quick spread across field leaving Dale Copley open to score in the corner. Seven minutes later AJ Brimson made a big break on his 30 metre line and looked destined to score. That was until a high speed chase involving Jordan Kahu ended with the Cowboys fullback making a fantastic tackle to save a certain try. This sparked the Cowboys into action where Gideon Gela-Mosby scored the best no-try of the year, unfortunately, the speedy winger broke his collarbone in the action. Corey Jensen also left the field with a HIA meaning the Cowboys were down to 15 men going into halftime.
The half resumed and the Cowboys hit the front 10 minutes in through Jason Taumalolo. The Cowboys tearaway finished the game with more than 200 metres and was one of the best on the field. The game became more and more intense as it went on, with the Cowboys hanging on for dear life. A few missed penalty chances capped off the Titans season as they just couldn’t tie it up.
It came down to a moment, five seconds left, the Cowboys still up by two. Tyrone Peachey created a three player overlap with a beautiful grubber and re-gather and the Titans quickly spread and get the ball to Kelly who has 5 metres to the line with no one in front of him. That is until Kyle Feldt comes flying out of the heavens to pull of a magnificent try saver and win the Cowboys another game on the buzzer.
FOUR POINTERS
COWBOYS HAVE FOUND THEIR FIGHT
Coach Paul Green said it was the toughest wins he has ever been a part of, as a player or a coach. The Cowboys have been struggling to find that real fight to win games over the last year and a half. But three wins in a row, with a depleted side might be what it took to spark the team back to winning ways. Whether they can keep the form going with such a injury hit side remains to be seen but if they play with that grit every game then they are already half way there.
TITANS MISSING THE CRUCIAL BLOW
On the other side of the spectrum are the Titans, who just couldn’t strike the big blow. They missed a couple of kicks to tie the game and of course some good defence stopped them. But the good teams win these close games and the Titans have got a little way to go in closing out games.
INJURY HORROR
The Cowboys have now ended up with another three injuries in tonights game, adding more names onto their out list. Gideon Gela-Mosby, Jordan Kahu and Corey Jensen all ended the game with injury, Gela-Mosby with a broken collarbone, Kahu with a shoulder issue and Jensen with concussion. These players join Matt Scott, Justin O’Neill, Te Maire Martin, Nene MacDonald and Ben Hampton on the list.
TAUMALOLO PRESSING DALLY M LEADERS
Despite missing five weeks of Rugby League, Jason Taumalolo has rocketed himself back into the Dally M chase as he sits on 12 points, three behind leader Mitchell Pearce. The forward continues to consistently do serious damage through the middle and is cementing himself as the games best forward.
THE RESULT
GOLD COAST TITANS 4
Tries: D. Copley, 21′
Goals: A. Taylor 0/2. T. Roberts 0/1
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 6
Tries: J. Taumalolo, 49′
Goals: J. Kahu 1/1
SQUADS
TITANS: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Brian Kelly 5. Dale Copley 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ash Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Keegan Hipgrave 13. Jai Whitbread. Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Shannon Boyd 16. Bryce Cartwright 17. Jack Stockwell
COWBOYS: 1. Jordan Kahu 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Mitchell Dunn 4. Tom Opacic 5. Gideon Gela-Mosby 6. John Asiata 7. Jake Clifford 8. Scott Bolton 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo. Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Shane Wright 16. Corey Jensen 17. Francis Molo
