North Queensland have scored their most impressive win of the season, a 22-10 defeat of premiership favourites South Sydney, to stamp themselves as a genuine NRL title threat.
With Johnathan Thurston pulling the strings, Kyle Feldt scored a first half double for the visitors at ANZ Stadium before 17,171 fans on Saturday night.
The Cowboys kept their hopes of a top four berth alive with a near-perfect opening half of football in which they completed 18 of 18 sets.
The four-tries-to-two-win moves the Cowboys to sixth on the NRL ladder, with Souths missing a fantastic chance to move to the top rung after Manly’s loss to Parramatta on Friday.
A disappointing effort from Souths was further soured by a hamstring injury to halfback Adam Reynolds who left the game in the 70th minute and didn’t return.
The Cowboys have consistently struggled to win in Sydney as they seek a maiden NRL title, but that hoodoo has been blown away this year.
On the back of a dominant performance from their forward pack the Cowboys flexed their premiership muscle from the outset.
With James Tamou returning on the bench after a month out with a back injury, Thurston opened the scoring with an eighth minute penalty goal before the Queensland playmaker put Jason Taumalolo over.
Three minutes later a Thurston long ball helped Kyle Feldt over in the corner as the Cowboys galloped to a 12-0 lead.
Souths had a number of chances to trouble the scorers but a stoic Cowboys defence and some poor last tackle options prevented that.
Feldt scored his second try in the 36th minute when he came in off his wing from a Tautau Moga ball for a 16-0 lead at the break.
Antonio Winterstein scored out wide after a well worked set play in the 52nd minute to put North Queensland ahead 22-0, before Souths finally scored in the 56th minute.
Joe Picker crashed over next to the posts after a blatant forward pass in the lead up.
But the home side were due some luck after a try to Luke Keary was earlier disallowed, as the video referee ruled he grounded the ball on the line, when the call could have gone the other way.
There were also suspicions of obstruction in Feldt’s second try.
But it was a much-deserved win for the Cowboys to bounce back well from their last-start 23-22 loss to Penrith on Monday.
Alex Johnston scored his 16th try in 13 games in the 76th minute in a consolation effort for the home side.
Alex
Guest
Given that Panthers beat Cowboys who beat premiership favourites, doesn't that mean that Penrith are under everyone's radar? They just keep performing, happy to play without the hype, no honour guards as they run on the field or laps of honour after the game. Panthers might be building to something...
Rod
Guest
The better team won. It was a pretty ordinary night the entree was the bledisloe and gee other thanHooper the rest of the forwards were terrible.Geeting beaten by a superior team I can live with. I knew when Souths held the game up for a few minutes, this ain't looking good. The bottom line we lacked intensity the whole game. But to date, we are the only team that has not got flogged all year . I still like our chances, the chooks also are looking good as well.
Cowboys
Guest
They had 1 or 2 average purchases at the start of the year and that was it. Most teams had a ridiculous larger amount, but I think it points out stability in this playing group. Granted A lot of well-payed forwards are leaving after this year, that seems to open the books for the next group or quality youngster, with some experience as well (Stewart). Souths do seem to have their FB, 2nd row and halves stock sorted for years to come. UP THE COWBOYS!! Git Err Don!!
Alex
Guest
Next thing you'll be telling us Mike from Tari is that Cowboys didn't deserve to win. Swallow your sour grapes, mate. Cowboys were by far the better team.
BrumbyJack
Guest
Sure did Bilbo. I also had a bit more at 15-1 two weeks ago. I'm not saying their going to win the comp, it's still pretty open in my view, I just think they were, and still are to some extent over the odds. And Michoh you're spot on mate. Souths were very flat and coming off two hugely impressive victories that is very understandable. Their line speed in defence was way off their usual high standard and their ball carries did not have as much aggression as in previous weeks. That being said, their win against the Eagles and the Broncos still stamp them as the team to beat. Expect them to bounce back pretty sharply against the Dogs on Thurs night, with or without Reynolds.
The eye
Guest
Mike in the Thurston case,it was an inside the 10 penalty,the ref is clearly audible saying that,he also said in running there was no quick tap allowed...
Mike from Tari
Guest
Inglis was penalised for his action, these other 2 were denying a quick play the ball after a penalty.
uPelican
Guest
Yep, Manly have been cruising for about six weeks . They haven't started to play yet. It's just been practise runs for them.
eagleJack
Guest
Mate, they are definitely a great chance. If they do claim the premiership they will have certainly earned it.
Trenno
Guest
No team a silly enough to write Manly off, this is why they got beat on the weekend. Everyone knows they are the benchmark and will turn up against them like there life depends on it.
Trenno
Guest
Cowboys have won 3 of the last 4 games in Sydney, losing by 1 point in a game that they didn't mentally turn up for. Now that it seems the refs aren't pandering to home teams the Cowboys have their best chance ever to win the premiership.
eagleJack
Guest
Manly are done? Excellent. On top of the ladder but back under the radar. Just how the team like it. They don't cope well with praise. Best when people write them off, as they do at the beginning of each and every year.
Gappy
Guest
Teams I would be worried bout are NQ things have to go there way soon or later, Roosters are finding form at the right end, Melbourne are always a worry don't think a GF but maybe a win the first week, Dogs if they can find another gear. South have way to much pressure on them and without Reynolds they with struggle Manly are done, Yes they are a Great side but not a GF this Year I do think it will be a Sydney v Sydney GF Dogs, Eels, Souths, Panthers or Roosters don't see any team out side Sydney winning the Comp
Mitchoh
Guest
Souths were flat which is understandable given the way they've been playing of late. A good loss to have really. Cowboys played well and deserved the win. I wish I had of jumped on the $17 a week ago. Very dangerous team when the forwards are going forward and the defensive attitude is there. I still think souths will win the comp though.
Tom
Guest
After a couple of games where Souths forwards were allowed to deliberately slow the game down to a pace that they can hack, they were declared by all and sundry, including some masquerading as experts, as firm favourites for the comp? The Cowboys playing with depth and speed showed them up for what they are... imposters. Wouldn't surprise me to see Dogs and Roosters both do a number on them. Did Keary play last night? I thought this kid was already talking up who he'd prefer to play for in SoO!
Joel
Guest
Yes, Feldt as awesome as he is at times, and you want him to play as such every game has proven be be a bit inconsistent having some ordinary games earlier in the year before he was dropped, hopefully the extended time in the QRL may have him keeping a lid on his performances, sometimes consistency is better than trying to be awesome every game. Sad to hear of Rona going to the Bulldogs a rare player from WA with a lot of talent. Tautau Moga has been a great addition since the loss of Shut the gate Tate! and the centres n wings are clicking for the cows with Linnet and Winterstein solid weekly performers. They're all big powerful runners of the ball. With Wright and Tatey back next year adds a lot of depth to the team. Lui's games have stepped up taking pressure of Thursty and Lui is looking better in his defensive work though is still sometimes found wanting. Would be great to see RayRay hit some form like he did towards the end of last season though is playing solid. And the big fella up front Tamou, would love to see him fire up for a game or two, sometimes seems like he is just sitting on one more gear to go to full throttle. Com'on Cows!
Alex
Guest
Muzz, be careful of anyone trying to sell you reserved tickets for a Souths grand final. It's the same gang that did that harbour bridge scam.
Alex
Guest
Didn't Inglis do something similar? Tackled a player going for a quick tap? Why wasn't he sin binned? You have a convenient memory, Mike.
Joel
Guest
As a long time Cows supporter and a big winger of Refs robbing them in the past I can openly admit that Feldt's try should not have been for sure, and I would have had no problems them overturning the no try due to the visual of a gap between the ball and the line, saying that yes, Souths were also allowed a try of a forward pass.
eagleJack
Guest
My wife is quite happy with my 10" tv thank you very much.