Thurston leads Cowboys to win over Titans in Cairns

By News / Wire

A Johnathan Thurston-inspired masterclass has helped the North Queensland Cowboys to a 30-10 six tries to two win against the Gold Coast in their NRL trial at Cairns’ Barlow Park.

Thurston’s three try assists gave his side a 16-6 half time lead and from there the Cowboys were never headed as they raced in three further second half tries through Jake Granville, Tautau Moga and Kelepi Tanginoa to claim their comfortable win.

Cowboys coach Paul Green was happy with his side’s performance.

“I thought we handled the conditions tonight well in Cairns and overall it was a solid effort,” he said.

“We executed really well so that was pleasing.”

The Titans’ loss capped a disastrous few days for the besieged club, with utility Jamie Dowling and hooker Beau Falloon both charged with supplying drugs following a six-month investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission in the same operation that nabbed rugby star Karmichael Hunt.

Nate Myles was busy in both attack and defence for the Titans, as was teammate Greg Bird in his first hit-out of the year.

Australian and Queensland prop Matt Scott also got through his first match back unscathed from a shoulder injury.

But it was all the Thurston show in the first half, with the halfback superb in the opening 40 minutes setting up Moga in the corner for the game’s opening try in the 17th minute.

Five minutes later his sublime cross field kick fell into the waiting arms of inside centre Matthew Wright who did the rest to score to the right hand side of the posts for an early 10-0 lead.

The Titans hit back through a burrowing try to Matt Srama in the 29th minute but just prior to half time Thurston was again at his scheming best when a short ball to back rower Gavin Cooper saw the forward cross for a further four points.

The Titans finished the night’s scoring through a consolation try to winger Kevin Gordon.

Titans coach Neil Henry said his side has to improve ahead of round one of the NRL season.

“We were very patchy tonight and got off to a fairly slow start,” he said.

“There were some good signs here and there but we’ll continue to prepare as best we can and get ready for our first official game of the year.”

The Crowd Says:

2015-03-05T03:51:39+00:00

Albaneasy

Guest


You think Thurston is lying to you?, he doesn't even come from Nth QLD, he is on a Million a year + salary, from his video as posted above his achievements in the game have been greater than anyone else that I have ever seen play the game, and he carry's himself with dignity in those achievements, yet you the Roosters and the NSW media have branded him a liar, that he would stoop to a lowest of levels to make up a conspiracy to cheat the game, lol Muzz ...... it is you who perpetrates a lie! We are not victims Muzz, because we will never lay down to be victimized, you can try your hardest to bully, but you picked the wrong crowd ....

2015-03-02T08:07:20+00:00

Albaneasy

Guest


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsBGq6mXt_4

2015-02-27T09:56:11+00:00

Muzz

Guest


I underestimated the size of that chip on your shoulder.Passion for your region is one thing however when that turns into bitterness you have a problem. "i don't like you" ARE YOU SERIOUS? Here's your leader and a prime example of your club culture. So much to be proud of! The Nth Queensland Victims LOL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfQe9Tt5Vrk

2015-02-26T15:05:36+00:00

Albaneasy

Guest


Lol Muzz, your sad .... but first, time for me to gloat.... I celebrate all our players from this region and they are many and great, the best being mango, bar far the most talented runner of the ball I have ever seen. I don't mind other clubs poaching our players, it just proves how good this region is for pumping out great footballers. I get to watch someone representin the hood in almost any game, it is good. We have a higher proportion of indigenous population and I am proud of that and the footballers that contribute as inspiration to them. My local team the Northern Pride (in which I attend most games) won their 2nd QRL premiership and the first inaugural interstate championship and we celebrated beating the Penrith Panthers representing NSW. We have a lot to celebrate up here. We probably have the best local competition in Australia called the CDRL and a historical North Queensland comp called the Foley shield. The best till last, 8 origins, hell, that will take an 8 zip the other way to get over (you can only dream what that has felt like Muzz, lol) I used to support other teams before the Cows joined the NRL, and I have celebrated premierships won and they were or still would be just as sweet as the Cows to win their first. so zero don't cut ... Once again you assume which = ignorance. There an't no chip Muzz, I just don't like you, because you are all about that which I don't celebrate in the game. I don't like this NSW driven NRL spinning propaganda and lying for the sake of chest beating. I want to see a great National Competition for the game of Rugby League, and I think some people in NSW would rather destroy the comp than see this happen because they are scared of change, maybe having to support another team, cry me a river, look what the NSWRL did to the BRL but the the majority didn't complain because they celebrated where the game was going, let us just get our national comp started and be done with your insecurities and bickering in Sydney, like beggars fighting over a dollar. You know on wikipedia, the Roosters no longer claim to have won 13 NRL premierships as they used to have written, they now say they have won 13 premierships, and this change has only come about from consistent trolling from myself and a few others on sites like this, facebook and the like. We are the fighters of truth! Only one example and there is a long way to go. The Cowboys were a foundation club of the NRL. You guys better keep stacking and paying NSW refs some big dollars and poach as many players as possible from the north cause game on. your 2 up... You got nothing for us Muzz, and if your big claim to fame are a couple of players that never played in your NRL side, well good on you mate. Like me saying I am a great cricketer because I touched Ricky Pontings bat, lol?

2015-02-26T07:20:35+00:00

up in the north

Guest


Just trying to lull him into a false sense of security. Those chooks are gonna remember this trip to the tropics.

2015-02-26T00:52:02+00:00

Albaneasy

Guest


UITN be wary of what Fuzz claims as facts, he has a loose tongue lol

2015-02-25T10:49:51+00:00

Muzz

Guest


That chip on your shoulder is enormous.When will fans like you stop blaming the world for the Cows lack of success? How many premierships? ZERO! LOL. We was robbed. If it's not the officials and the NRL conspiring against you, it's the successful clubs like the Roosters, Dogs, Manly, Storm etc that are poaching all your juniors. All the players i've listed above INCLUDING Winterstein who played alongside Tamou back in 2008 have been at the Roosters. Let us know if you need anything else.A sprint/speed and agility coach or perhaps a physio.Where always happy to help out the Nth Queensland Roosters. http://www.cowboys.com.au/team/profiles/antonio-winterstein.html

2015-02-25T04:10:14+00:00

Albaneasy

Guest


Haha, "YOUR" ex Roosters? This will be good! .. John Asiata a Wentworthville Magpies Junior who played in your NYC team 2012/13 QRL 2014 (now age 21) No development Javid Bowen Hopevale product who played 1 year in the SG Ball Cup hated it. (now age 21) No development Kane Linnett a "Wollongong product" played for St George then played for roosters 2010/11 Injured signed Cowboys 12/13/14 (now age 26) No development Ethan Lowe a Goondiwindi, Toowoomba product played for Roosters NYC club 3years 09-11 played Northern Pride QRL 3 years 12-14 he is (now age 23) No development Tautau Moga an Ipswich Junior product signed by roosters at "14" played SG Ball then to NYC 2012, played 14 games Roosters 2 year injuries signed to Cows (now age 21) James Tamou NZ junior 13 moved to Sydney played as Roosters Junior, NYC Roosters 2008, Cowboys 2009 @ 21 don't think he ever played a game for Roosters NRL Only 1 went through through your junior system, maybe Moga too because you bought him! To claim them as you do as Roosters is a joke, and your a joke! lol Glenn Hall Bulldogsx8, Southsx19 Roostersx2 Manlyx65 BBullsx28 Cowsx95 games lol No development Winterstein nope never played for Roosters??? Brain fade, maybe you need more sleep? No development Kostjasyn was contracted with Roosters never played a game, Stormx32 Cowsx45 Anthony Mitchell is a Townsville Junior @17 Eels junior, 7 games for Eels NRL lol played 16 games for Roosters, 16 for cows, most games have been for Mackay Cutters Cows feeder club? No development Curtis Rona WA Perth Junior, contracted to Force, Played a couple of games with Roosters under 20's Played 7 NRL games for Cows and now with Dogs? lol No development Clutching at straws there Muzz, and you have been proven to be full of verbal diarrhoea. The only thing I see the roosters "doing" , is pinching everyone else's players and hard earn't development, roosters are like the blood suckers of the NRL. You treat players like horses, churn em through looking for a winner, if they don't hit the straps take em out the back and shoot em. Sad, who would want your club culture?

2015-02-24T21:24:52+00:00

Jay C

Roar Guru


If you aren't good enough to be a fullback or a centre by 24 then hit the road jack.

2015-02-24T21:03:45+00:00

Jay C

Roar Guru


Disagree. All a waste of money

2015-02-24T20:44:36+00:00

Albaneasy

Guest


I can point out a few wingers like Lote Tuqiri, Jason Nightingale, Brett Morris, Manu Vatuvei, Antonio Winterstein, Semi Radradra some kid fresh out of NYC needs to be blooded against the likes of these. The skill we have been seeing lately in getting that ball over the line in the corner, you can't diminish their importance too the team too easily is all. Wingers generally hold the try records at the end of the year, it is an important role. A bad winger could cost you the season....

2015-02-24T20:43:28+00:00

Jay C

Roar Guru


As I am for Green

2015-02-24T20:39:48+00:00

Muzz

Guest


Possibly and where grateful to have him.

2015-02-24T20:33:43+00:00

Jay C

Roar Guru


Is that the same Trent Robinson who was assistant coach at Newcastle for 3 years?

2015-02-24T19:58:49+00:00

Muzz

Guest


Yes Paul Green who was working under Robbo and also head coach of the Toyota cup team which makes him a former Rooster. I get by on 5 hours sleep.

2015-02-24T19:55:24+00:00

Jay C

Roar Guru


Plus you can't really argue you've lost too much in that bunch. Tamou had 1 good year is about all you could say. The rest are gap fillers, not world beaters. I know it is frustrating but it's just life nowadays. Seriously look at the coaches around the place, the almost all come from Canberra. It is crazy bizarre. Stuart, Bennett, Bellamy, Maguire, Meninga, Daley, Walters, Furner, Sheens, Henry. Gee there is probably more but that's all I can think of at the moment...

2015-02-24T19:46:27+00:00

Jay C

Roar Guru


Also. your up early.

2015-02-24T19:45:28+00:00

Jay C

Roar Guru


Melbourne Storm did when our under 20's coach took them all South some time ago. It's just the nature of the game now. Also are you counting Green as in Paul Green, as in the coach? This is a stretch.

2015-02-24T19:24:06+00:00

Muzz

Guest


Really? Which club has 10 former Broncos on their books?

2015-02-24T19:17:58+00:00

Jay C

Roar Guru


To be fair you can do that with most teams nowadays Muzz. the number of ex-Broncos getting around in other teams makes me sick to my stomach. And Canberra has supplied pretty much every single person of note in Rugby League...

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