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Cowboys upset Titans at home
Written by: Andrew CookJul 31, 2009 9:46pm
The North Queensland Cowboys have scored a comprehensive 34-18 victory over the Gold Coast Titans in front of 20,315 fans at Skilled Park, handing the Titans their first home defeat of the 2009 season.
Both sides began at a cracking pace with plenty of attack but it was the Cowboys who were able to claim the early lead somewhat against the run of play after an intercept by John Williams set up the field position for Matt Bowen to claim his 100th Cowboys try. Williams was able to claim a try of his own shortly afterwards and the outsiders suddenly had an unexpected 10-point lead.
The Titans nearly hit back with Kevin Gordon looking certain to score in the corner before that man Bowen flew in and knocked Gordon into the corner post at the last possible second. From there it only got worse for the home side as the Cowboys twisted the knife with two further tries before halftime, opening up a formidable 22-0 lead.
Obviously the Titans needed to score first after the break to give themselves any chance and they obliged with Kevin Gordon finishing off a nice kick from William Zillman to get the home team on the board, but the Cowboys swiftly ended any slim hopes of a comeback with two quick tries in response. With just under 20 minutes left on the clock the Cowboys had opened up a 34-6 lead – effectively game over – before slowing down on attack and protecting their lead as the final siren approached. The Titans were able to score two late consolation tries as the Cowboys began to tire with the match drawing to a close.
Two-try-hero Matt Bowen and captain Johnathan Thurston were simply outstanding tonight and if they continue this sort of form there won’t be many teams in the competition that can match them. They were ably backed up by a solid pack performance, especially from Shane Tronc and Carl Webb up front, and the addition of hooker Anthony Watts to their line-up made a significant difference to their overall play around the ruck.
The Titans seemed shell-shocked and had no answer to the onslaught from their opposition for much of the match. Scott Prince had a rare off-night which didn’t help their cause and centre Brett Delaney missed half of the game after suffering a hamstring injury. Fans have become accustomed to watching the Titans fall towards the end of a season – while they’ll stay safe in the Top 4 this weekend at least, they won’t want any more performances like tonight if they want to consider themselves serious contenders this year.
Match Details
North Queensland Cowboys 34 def Gold Coast Titans 18
Round 21 - Friday July 31st, 2009 07:35pm
Venue: Skilled Park, Robina QLD
Referee: Tony Archer & Ashley Klein
Sideline Officials: Steve Carrall & Chris James
Video Referee: Steve Clark
Crowd: 20,315
Halftime: Gold Coast Titans 0 North Queensland Cowboys 22
Gold Coast Titans 18
Tries: Kevin Gordon, Nathan Friend, Esikeli Tonga
Goals: Scott Prince (3/3)
North Queensland Cowboys 34
Tries: Matt Bowen (2), John Williams, Michael Bani, Willie Tonga, Steve Rapira
Goals: Johnathan Thurston (5/6)
LeagueUnlimited.com Player of the Match
3 Points: Matt Bowen (Cowboys)
2 Points: Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
1 Point: Carl Webb (Cowboys)
LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary
Hi everyone, welcome along to our live coverage of tonights clash between the Gold Coast Titans and the North Queensland Cowboys. The Titans will start as warm favourites tonight and will be looking to keep their formidable home record intact while the Cowboys need to turn their form around if they want to stay safely in the Top 8.
Talk about the game as it happens - Titans v Cowboys forum discussion - click here!
TITANS: 1. William Zillman 2. Kevin Gordon 3. Esikeli Tonga 4. Brett Delaney 5. David Mead 6. Preston Campbell 7. Scott Prince (c) 8. Matt White 9. Nathan Friend 10. Michael Henderson 11. Luke Bailey (c) 12. Mark Minichiello 13. Brad Meyers
Interchange: 14. Aaron Cannings 15. Will Matthews 16. Josh Graham 19. Sam Tagataese
COWBOYS: 1. Matthew Bowen 2. Michael Bani 3. Ty Williams 4. Willie Tonga 5. John Williams 6. Grant Rovelli 7. Johnathan Thurston (c) 8. Shane Tronc 18. Manase Manuokafoa 16. Antonio Kaufusi 11. Carl Webb 12. Scott Bolton 13. Steve Southern
Interchange: 9. Anthony Watts 10. Matthew Scott 15. Steve Rapira 17. James Tamou
KICKOFF - We're underway! The Cowboys will have the first use of the ball.
2 min: A dusty start from the Cowboys with Grant Rovelli throwing a forward pass from dummy half.
3 min: The Titans spin the ball wide on the last tackle, Brett Delaney stabs a kick into the in-goal and Matt Bowen carries it dead.
4 min: The Cowboys concede a penalty 18 metres out and right in front of their own posts - Luke Bailey passes up an easy two points and opts to take the quick tap.
5 min: Scott Prince runs to the line and nearly gets across but is pulled down in a desperate tackle and turns the ball over to the Cowboys.
7 min: Preston Campbell tries a cross-field kick but it's far too deep and is easily claimed by Michael Bani inside his in-goal.
10 min: Scott Prince grubbers into the in-goal - the ball takes a wicked bounce just as Mark Minichiello and Matt Bowen try to get their hands to the ball, it turns into a double knock-on and a goal-line drop out for the Cowboys.
11 min: John Williams takes a good intercept and scoots 60 metres downfield.
12 min: VIDEO REF - has Matt Bowen claimed his 100th try? Bowen chimed into the backline and threw a wide pass to Michael Bani, then an inside pass was knocked down (by who??) before Bowen got to the ball and crashed over the line. Decision pending ...
12 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys (Benefit of the doubt)
It's a try! Bowen claims his 100th and an early lead for the visitors. Johnathan Thurston has a conversion attempt from the sideline - and nails it.
North Queensland Cowboys 6-0
17 min: Mark Minichiello runs into a hole and looks certain to score but he's pulled down beautifully by Matt Bowen only inches away from the line. The Titans continue to press hard but the Cowboys defence is up to the task.
20 min: A couple of quick play-the-balls catch the Titans offside and Brad Meyers concedes another 10 metres for backchat. The Cowboys have a clear shot at goal from 20 metres out but choose to take the tap.
20 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
The ball is spun wide and John Williams crosses untouched in the corner while his opposite number Kevin Gordon had drifted infield looking for the intercept. Johnathan Thurston has another conversion attempt from the sideline - but this one hits the crossbar.
North Queensland Cowboys 10-0
24 min: Steve Southern loses the ball 40 metres out from his own line.
25 min: Matt Bowen forces a dangerous kick from Scott Prince just ahead of the chasing Titans - another goal line drop-out coming up from the Cowboys.
26 min: VIDEO REF - did Kevin Gordon get the ball down before smacking into the corner post?
26 min: NO TRY - Matt Bowen saves another try with a great last-second tackle to force Kevin Gordon into touch.
31 min: Johnathan Thurston stabs a kick towards the Titans line, Kevin Gordon picks it up but he can't get out of his own in-goal before being snapped up by Matt Bowen.
32 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Johnathan Thurston gets the ball in front of the Titans posts and has about 5 minutes to decide what he wants to do - eventually he kicks the ball straight across to Michael Bani who crosses untouched to extend the lead. Thurston adds the extra two.
North Queensland Cowboys 16-0
36 min: Brett Delaney has come up from a tackle limping, looks to have done a hammy.
38 min: The Titans try to spin the ball wide from deep inside their own half but it doesn't come off and the Cowboys will have a scrum feed 30 metres out.
39 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys are carving them up! This time Willie Tonga has crossed after a sparkling passage of attack that featured plenty of Thurston and plenty of offloads. Johnathan Thurston converts.
North Queensland Cowboys 22-0
HALFTIME: North Queensland Cowboys 22 Gold Coast Titans 0
Both sides came out firing but the Titans have been well and truly subdued by a Cowboys side that is looking a million times better tonight than they have done in recent weeks. Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen are both on fire, if they keep playing like this it's very hard to see them losing.
The second half is underway!
43 min: A risky offload from Shane Tronc on his own 30 metre line is fumbled by Matt Bowen.
44 min: Scott Prince tries a last-tackle kick into the in-goal but it cannons off his boot and easily beats everyone over the dead ball line.
46 min: John Williams claims a kick on the full inside his own in-goal before being hit late by Esi Tonga - the Cowboys get a penalty to give themselves an easy ride up to halfway.
49 min: The Cowboys go back on the attack, trying some quick passing out wide - but Michael Bani forgets he's the last man in the chain and tries to tap the ball on to the touch judge.
52 min: Johnathan Thurston finds himself in a perfect position to defuse an attacking banana kick from Scott Prince.
52 min: Matt Bowen attempts a 40/20 but the ball sails out on the full.
54 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans
William Zillman chimes into a backline play and kicks ahead to the corner - Kevin Gordon flashes through and gets the ball down just ahead of the touchline and the chasing Cowboys defence. Scott Prince adds the extras from the touchline.
North Queensland Cowboys 22-6
59 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Steve Rapira makes half a break before finding Matt Bowen in support, and he streaks away for a try right underneath the posts. Johnathan Thurston converts.
North Queensland Cowboys 28-6
61 min: A penalty to the Cowboys gives them another attacking set from only 30 metres out.
62 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
A lightning fast play-the-ball catches the Titans backpedalling and Steve Rapira takes advantage by crashing across the line for yet another Cowboys try. Johnathan Thurston adds the extras.
North Queensland Cowboys 34-6
65 min: The Cowboys spin the ball from one side of the field to the other on the last tackle before the ball is knocked down by a Titans defender, giving the Cowboys another full set of six on attack.
66 min: Grant Rovelli throws a huge cut-out pass that sails over everyone's heads (including the touchie) and hits Row 12 of the grandstand.
70 min: Scott Prince runs the ball across field on the last tackle but his team-mates just stand back and watch him until he's claimed by the Cowboys defence.
71 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans
A miracle offload from Preston Campbell while he was upside down catches the Cowboys defence on the back foot and Nathan Friend is able to scoot away and bounce off a tackle before crossing next to the posts. Scott Prince converts.
North Queensland Cowboys 34-12
73 min: The Cowboys are penalised for being in front of the kicker at the restart.
74 min: TRY Gold Coast Titans
Mark Minichiello finds a bit of space before finding Esi Tonga in support and he gets across for a try - it's all too little too late for the home team though. Scott Prince adds another two points.
North Queensland Cowboys 34-18
77 min: The Titans are showing some sparkling attack now as the Cowboys have begun to tire - although their latest set finishes with Scott Prince being caught in possession after his outside runners all over-ran him.
FULLTIME: North Queensland Cowboys 34 Gold Coast Titans 18
A very solid win here for the Cowboys, handing the Titans their first home defeat of the year. This win sees the Cowboys jump from the edge of the Top 8 to the edge of the Top 4 pending other weekend results.
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