Cowboys wrangle erratic Eels

An incredible thirty point avalanche in twelve minutes delivered the North Queensland Cowboys a stunning 36-30 victory over Parramatta.

Known for their strong second half performances in 2015, the Cowboys further solidified their tag as ‘Comeback Kings'.

Remarkably, they trailed 30-6 in the 58th minute before the game flipped on its head.

Winger Matthew Wright crossed in the right corner off a Semi Radradra error. And then the floodgates opened.

North Queensland crossed the line five times in twelve minutes, with Gavin Cooper scoring a hat-trick in the space of just six.

Johnathan Thurston set up the veteran backrower three times on the back of the boot to lock the game up at 30-all.

The visitors stole the lead when Kane Linnett finished off a break on the left in the 69th minute.

North Queensland held on in the final ten to register a club-record tenth win in a row.

"We know we could turn it around," Thurston told FoxSports at fulltime.

"That second part of the last forty we could really feel it shifting our way. Gavin Cooper was outstanding for us on that left edge."

Thurston didn't miss a beat off the tee either, nailing six-from-six for the match.

Earlier, the Eels ran the Cowboys ragged in a one-sided first half.

Former Broncos playmaker Corey Norman controlled the game for the Eels, crossing himself and providing the final pass for Manu Ma'u's try.

"It's probably the worst half we've put together all year... they were running through us," Thurston said.

The Eels took a 24-6 lead into break and looked to be on track for back-to-back victories. Radradra grabbed a double early in the second half but it was the Cowboys who finished with a wet sail.

The win sees the Cowboys join the Broncos on 20 competition points in an all-Queensland one-two at the top of the table. The only concern for North Queensland and Maroons is the fitness of frontrower Matt Scott, who suffered back soreness throughout the game.

Next week the Eels have a tough date with the Storm, with both sides expecting to lose some stock to the following Wednesday's Origin clash. The Cowboys get a week off before returning in Round 15 to visit the Raiders in the Nation's Capital.

Match Details

Parramatta Eels 30 North Queensland Cowboys 36
Venue: Pirtek Stadium
Crowd: 9812
Halftime Score: Parramatta Eels 24 North Queensland Cowboys 6

PARRAMATTA EELS (30)
Tries: Corey Norman, Brad Takairangi, Manu Ma'u, Semi Radradra (2)
Conversions: Chris Sandow (3/5)
Penalty Goals: Chris Sandow (2/2)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (36)
Tries: Michael Morgan, Matthew Wright, Gavin Cooper (3), Kane Linnett
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (6/6)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Johnathan Thurston
2 points - Gavin Cooper
1 point - Corey Norman

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

North Queensland are on the hunt for 10 games in row while Parramatta are seeking slightly smaller fry, back-to-back wins for the first time this year.

Could be a danger game for the Cowboys though, traditionally not the best travellers and when the hosts click they can score points.

Both squads are 1-17.

We're underway at 7pm!

1: Kick off! We are underway. Parramatta going left to right.

3: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Corey Norman. Kick to come.
Eels go 70m in their second set! Who knew Corey Norman was that quick? The five-eighth backs up a bust to score under the sticks.

4: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Sandow slots the two points and the Eels are out to 6-0 in the blink of an eye.

7: Now James Tamou surges through for the Cowboys. Fifth tackle play from Thurston is cleaned up by the Eels' defence. Frantic start to this one.

9: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL PARRAMATTA EELS
Penalty goal attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
North Queensland concedes a penalty and the Eels opt to take the two. Chris Sandow slots it easily.

14: Eels' backrower Anthony Watmough drops it, North Queensland get a penalty and the visitors are on the attack for this first time tonight.

19: Chris Sandow kicks to find touch five metres out from the Cowboys line and we all get a chance to take a breath.

21: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Brad Takairangi. Kick to come.
Quick hands from Parramatta on the left fringe! Semi Radradra taps in on to Brad Takairangi on the wing. Electric start.

24: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Chris Sandow does a wonderful Johnathan Thurston impression, curving it back from the sideline.

27: Johnathan Thurston reaches out for the line, doesn't get the ball down but earns a penalty with Chris Sandow ruled offside.

28: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Michael Morgan. Kick to come.
Well we've seen that a few times this year. Michael Morgan dummies takes on the line and shows surprising strength to get the ball down.

29: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston converts to reduce the margin to eight.

34: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Manu Ma'u. Kick to come.
Don't know how you're meant to stop that. Manu Ma'u comes in like a wrecking ball, crashing over Michael Morgan.

34: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Sandow maintains his perfect night with the boot. Four from four so far.

39: Eek. Ray Thompson in a bit of strife after collecting the upper leg of Manu Ma'u. Slight knee lift?

39: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Semi Radradra. Kick to come.
Somebody stop them. More numbers on the left for Parramatta. Cowboys forced to come in, leaving big Semi Radradra with a saloon passage to a one-handed put-down.

40: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
Chris Sandow misses his first kick of the night.

40: Halftime: Massive first half from Parramatta. Speed, physicality and composure from the halves for a 24-6 lead. North Queensland have been good in the second half this year but they'll need to find some tricks to get out of this one.

40: Second half is go! Three tries needed for North Queensland to draw level..

43: Beautiful flick pass from Kane Linnett. Only problem,. it went to Danny Wicks. Parramatta on the attack early.

45: TRY PARRAMATTA EELS
Scored by Semi Radradra. Kick to come.
Semi Radradra starts and finishes a 95m movement. Takairangi down the left wing, hurles it back to Robinson who find Radradra in support. Brilliant.

47: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION PARRAMATTA EELS
Conversion attempt by Chris Sandow unsuccessful.
Sandow's kick hangs out to the right and misses.

53: Penalties and charge downs. Everything falling into place for Parramatta tonight. Fair to say they're making their own luck though.

53: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL PARRAMATTA EELS
Penalty goal attempt by Chris Sandow successful.
Chris Sandow slots an easy two from right in front. It's a looong way back for the Cowboys now.

58: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Matthew Wright. Kick to come.
Semi Radradra comes up with his only blemish tonight. He drops it, the Cowboys swing it wide for Matthew Wright in the corner.

59: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston nails it fomr the sideline. Still a faint scent for the Cowboys?

60: No room for Wright this time. Semi Radradra wraps up the Cowboys winger close to the line.

60: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Gavin Cooper. Kick to come.
Johnathan Thurston with a grubber and Gavin Cooper does the rest. The backrower is first to the ball and all of a sudden the Cowboys are back within two converted tries.

60: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston again successful and the Cowboys are back within twelve.

65: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston adds another two and the margin is just six.

64: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Gavin Cooper. Kick to come.
Gavin Cooper scores.

67: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Gavin Cooper. Kick to come.
Gavin Cooper has a hat-trick in the space of about six minutes.

67: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston adds the two.

69: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Kane Linnett. Kick to come.
This is quite incredible. Kane Linnett gives the Cowboys the lead. That's 30 points in twelve minutes. No words.

69: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston goes six-from-six.

77: Parramatta run the ball on the last but it doesn't quite find the mark. The Eels still trail by six but based on what we've seen tonight, the gate isn't shut just yet.

80: Fulltime: One of the more miraculous comebacks you'll ever see. Down 30-6 after 56 minutes, North Queensland scored 30 in just twelve minutes to finish with a 36-30 win. Hat-trick to Gavin Cooper in six minutes. They're now ten in a row.