One of the most entertaining clashes of 2024 has played out in Townsville as the Dolphins picked up a 28-26 win over the Cowboys in front of almost 21,000 fans.
The first half didn't lack entertainment nor did it lack points with 40 points racked up by the two sides in the opening stanza. The Cowboys opened things up inside five minutes when Kyle Feldt was able to get on the outside of Jack Bostock to score in the corner.
Things didn't look good for the Redcliffe side when they conceded a second try inside the opening ten minutes when Reuben Cotter was able to carry three defenders over the line.
The Dolphins had barely touched the ball for the opening ten minutes and off the back of a penalty against the Cowboys, the Dolphins were able to score in their first attacking raid as Jamayne Isaako picked up the first of his three tries when he scored out in the corner.
A surprise 40/20 put the Cowboys on attack but they couldn't make the attack stick and it was the Dolphins who took advantage when Tesi Niu was able to get through to score and as Isaako added his second for a 12-10 lead for the Dolphins.
Points were frequent in the final ten minutes of the first half as the Cowboys regained the lead when Jeremiah Nanai cleaned up a lost ball to score when Trai Fuller spilt the ball.
The nature of the half showed that wasn't the last time the lead was going to change and it did when Jamayne Isaako picked up his second try just a couple of minutes later when the Dolphins halves combined yet again slickly to get the ball out to Isaako. The conversion gave the Dolphins an 18-16 lead.
Of course, that was not going to be the end of the first half scoring when another spilt kick at the back from the Dolphins left the ball loose when Sam McIntyre almost spilt his lollies trying to get the ball down but held it enough to score. The conversion from in front gave the Cowboys a 22-18 lead.
The points weren't as free flowing in the second half but the action was still as exciting and the Dolphins regained the lead ten minutes into the half when Jamayne Isaako picked up his third after a penalty against the Cowboys deep in their own territory gave the visitors a big chance which they took advantage of.
The Cowboys thought they had the lead when Scott Drinkwater went over but it had to be overturned by the bunker when a touch from Jake Clifford travelled forward before Drinkwater took possession
Mounting pressure, the Dolphins couldn't crack the line until a kick from Kodi Nikorima looked too big until the bounce sat up and Jake Averillo got to the ball first and grounded the ball just inside the dead ball line.
The Cowboys created a grandstand finish inside the final two minutes when Jeremiah Nanai was able to get over. Val Holmes missed a relatively easy attempt at goal to keep the score at 28-26.
A late two point field goal attempt from Scott Drinkwater went away and the Dolphins held onto the win.
Next week, the Cowboys will look to break their losing streak in another Queensland Derby against the Titans whilst the Dolphins have a task against the Sea Eagles.