Thurston and Cowboys prevail in final frantic moments

Jonathan Thurston may have been one of the best in a beaten side for Origin II on Wednesday night but just three days later he's been at his scintillating best to lead the North Queensland Cowboys to a late thrilling victory 21-20 over the Canberra Raiders.

In the final 60 seconds the Cowboys set up two attempts for Jonathan Thurston 25m out and in front of the posts for a field goal victory but both were charged down by Sia Soliola.

Neither side led the game by more than six points from siren-to-siren and Jarrod Croker levelled the scorers from a 78th minute penalty goal, which was conceded by Thurston in what was clearly a push on Edrick Lee to deny the Raiders a try scoring opportunity.

The Cowboys were fortunate their star playmaker was not sent off and for Shaun Fensom to spill the ball two tackles after the penalty goal conversion which staged the dramatic finish.

Michael Morgan was ruled out before kick off adding to Thurston's responsibilities and it was seen as a great opportunity for a Canberra side who had won only five of their last 18 home games at GIO Stadium.

North Queensland took control of the game from kick off and in the seventh minute they led 4-0 when Thurston placed a deft kick over the Canberra defence for Antonio Winterstein to make an easy catch and putdown in the corner.

Thurston slotted a penalty goal in the 16th minute to lead 6-0 but it was the Raiders who were the next try scorers.

From 40m out Canberra shuffled down left field and some quick passing from Blake Austin to Croker and then onto Lee meant he was able to easily beat two cover defending Cowboys to go over for try and tie the game at 6-6.

North Queensland's second penalty goal of the afternoon came on half time to grant their 8-6 lead at the break.

Next week the Cowboys will host the Cronulla Sharks at 1300Smiles Stadium, while the Canberra Raiders will travel to New Zealand to play the Warriors.

Match Details

Canberra Raiders 20 North Queensland Cowboys 21
Venue: GIO Stadium
Crowd: 10170
Halftime Score: Canberra Raiders 6 North Queensland Cowboys 8

CANBERRA RAIDERS (20)
Tries: Edrick Lee, Blake Austin, Jack Wighton
Conversions: Jarrod Croker (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Jarrod Croker (1/1)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (21)
Tries: Antonio Winterstein, Matthew Wright, Gavin Cooper
Field Goals: Johnathan Thurston (1/3), Lachlan Coote (0/1)
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Johnathan Thurston (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Johnathan Thurston
2 points - Gavin Cooper
1 point - Sam Williams

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to today's coverage of the Round 15 clash between the Canberra Raiders and North Queensland Cowboys. The final team lists are in and Canberra are unchanged, they will not blood Joey Leilua this weekend. For the Cowboys Michael Morgan has been ruled out and Rory Kostjasyn starts in the halves. Robert Lui has been added to the bench. Expect Lui, Kostjasyn and Granville to switch between five-eight, hooker and the bench. Both these teams are in the top 3 for point scoring and the weather is fantastic for attacking football. Canberra have lost 2 of their last three at home. The Cowboys are looking to extend their winning streak to 11. Four of the 10 games in the Cowboys winning streak have been won from behind with 10 minutes to go. Lastly Michael Morgan has been the top first and last try scorer for the Cowboys all season, will his absence be too much to handle for the Cowboys? Kick off moments away.

The Cowboys are running out of the tunnel now on a sunny Canberra day and a dry, fast track. Canberra to follow.

Canberra are on the field and the Cowboys are kicking off!

Josh Papalii comes out making the best run in the Raiders set. The Canberra kick bounces awkwardly and Coote fields it on his 10m line.

1: Tamou and Scott get the first runs in the Cowboys set. They make it to halfway and Thurston kicks long.

2: Penalty to Canberra. Tamou upset about the penalty, he was holding on too long on the tackled Canberra player.

3: The Raiders are looking to play an expansive game early as they slide down their left side. Croker passes from the tackle and the ball is deflected by the Cowboys and it's another set of six for Canberra.

3: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Sisa Waqa makes an unforced error.
He drops the ball in the tackle. Raiders are going side to side early.

4: Granville and Cooper make great meters on the short side from half way. Thurston kicks cross field on the fifth tackle to 10m from the Canberra line. Winterstein knocks it back and Coote comes up with a forced goal line drop out from nothing.

6: Cowboys look dangerous attack to their right. Metres are coming fairly easy.

7: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Antonio Winterstein. Kick to come.
Thurston is heavily involved early as usual despite backing up from origin and it's his awareness when analysing the Canberra line on fourth tackle that made him kick short over the top of the Canberra line. Winterstein has an easy catch and put down in the corner.

8: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
Hits the left up right. No goal.

9: Thurston is forced to kick from his 40m line as the Cowboys did not make many metres. He forces Rapana to field the ball on his 10m line however.

10: Canberra gain 50m, Sam Williams kicks again and he runs it down over the left sideline from 45m out. Cowboys will get the scrum feed on the 10m line.

11: A simple one pass and hit up set from the Cowboys with the front rowers doing the majority of the work. Canberra start their set with Lee on the 20m line.

12: A poor kick choice from Williams as he kicks from outside the 40m line on fourth tackle and it is fielded on the full by Wright.

13: Great metres from the Cowboys in a quick set. Thurston once again shows his class as he grubbers from 25m out and the chase forces Lee in the in goal. Goal line dropout coming up.

14: A show and go from Thurston gets him inches from the line in the most damaging play of the set. JT once again has got the fifth tackle kick perfect and have forced another goal line dropout.

15: Tamou with seven hitups and Scott five in the first 15 minutes. Canberra are penalised from 30m out centre field, Cooper was attempting to play the ball and Blake Austin holds on too long. JT has elected to take a penalty goal.

16: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Penalty goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
No problems with the simple kick.

18: The Cowboys make 60m in four tackles and 70m by the fifth. Coote bombs the kick to Wighton and he can field the ball under pressure.

19: Rapana makes a half break to help the Canberra escape the red zone, many fans are booing hoping the refs call offside on the Cowboys but no call is imminent. They complete their set with Austin placing a bomb to Coote on the Cowboys 20m line.

20: North Queensland continue to be clinical with the ball in hand but the defence seems to be slipping slightly as Canberra are forcing tackle breaks.

20: Antonio Winterstein is on his on confronting Josh Papalii and he strips the ball. Refs rule and knock on from the winger and the Raiders get another set of six.

21: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Edrick Lee. Kick to come.
The play started from 40m out and quick hands from Austin to Croker to Lee and sees the Cowboys miss a couple of assignments and Lee can scurry over and improve the conversion kick position.

22: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
The conversion from 15m left of the posts issuccessful.

24: Wighton is causing chaos for the Cowboys, he gets Rapana flying down the right touch line. In an excellent attack position now the Raiders spill the ball and the Cowboys are coming at the Raiders.

24: Nothing special from the Cowboys set. Wighton is once again forced to do the kick return.

25: Raiders halfback Sam Williams must have wanted to give his team a breather as he once again places his kick to trickle out around the 10m line for a Cowboys scrum.

27: Linnett takes one of his first hit ups and Austin is penalised for the second time this afternoon, this time for a leg pull.

28: Papalii crushes JT as he foolishly dummied at the line. They get one shot at the Canberra line on fifth tackle and a Granville grubber deflects of Shannon Boyd and Lachlan Coote attempts to dive at the line with the ball and it gets sent up to the video referee.

28: The on field referee ruled no try and the video ref agrees. Coote was held up and the Cowboys will start a fresh set of six from 10m out.

29: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Ethan Lowe makes an unforced error.
Lowe is given the ball from JT charging hard at the line and Croker hits the ball free.

30: Tamou is penalised for a high shot on Shillington and the resulting kick gets Canberra possession on half way.

30: Side to side from the Raiders, not much set play execution but we may have a try on fifth tackle. On field ref rules try and the video ref will check.

30: Williams kicks towards the posts high on fifth tackle, Soliola and O'Neill contest the ball. Austin grabs the ball and plants the ball down. Video referee has turned the decision stating Soliola has knocked on. Canberra fans are unhappy.

31: The Raiders are fired up after being denied the try and are taking it out on the Cowboys. Lowe gets the ball to the Canberra 40m on fifth tackle and Coote kicks to Rapana in the left corner of the field.

32: Likewise Fensom gets to the Cowboys 40m on fifth tackle and Williams kicks high. Coote makes a great take under pressure.

32: Canberra are penalised again. Shannon Boyd this time rakes the ball from Jason Taumalolo. Cowboys start another set 25m out.

33: Asiata passes on the ground to Thurston and he kicks towards the in goal for himself on a reflex play, it's fielded by the Raiders. The Cowboys are penalised from marker and Williams takes a quick tap. Williams trips on Taumalolo and he was in an offside position. Both teams are angry and confront each other.

35: Cowboys were penalised as a result and the Raiders are charging the length of the field trying to score.

35: A lacklustre fifth tackle option sees Linnett take the ball from his own line easily.

35: There's more confrontation as Wright gets a high shot Boyd. It's placed on report.

36: Cowboys are placed in front of the Canberra line by third tackle and JT almost gets Coote over the line. On fifth Coote bombs towards Wright and Lee reigns superior in the contest.

38: Williams attempts a 40/20 on third tackle which was a good idea but the kick goes into touch on the Cowboys 40m line. North Queensland will get another crack at the line before half time.

39: The Cowboys had a three on two on fourth tackle but Cooper can't get rid of the ball. Austin tackled him and once again didn't let go of the legs which makes the Cowboys up set and the penalty is called. That's the third time today Austin has been penalised. JT decides to attempt a penalty goal from 20m out near the left touch line.

39: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Penalty goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
A swinging kick from right to left goes through the uprights and the Cowboys take an 8-6 lead into half time.

40: At half time the score almost reflects how the game has gone. The Cowboys will want to have been further in front consider the great field position they had most of the half. The Raiders would be the favourite to win from here being at home and they should get better field position in the second half, with more opportunities to score points. Tamou played the first 30m minutes and the Cowboys origin stars may tire deep into the second half. It's a high quality match we've got and the action will continue in about 10 minutes. Stay tuned for the second half!

40: The Raiders are set to kick off and we're underway.

41: On the first set the Cowboys make it to halfway and JT kicks low to bury Rapana in his corner of the field.

42: Strong running from Canberra gets them to the Cowboys 40m line and a Williams kick is great as it results in Coote being tackled inside the 10m line.

42: Granville chooses to kick from dummy half on half way and it is down the throat of Rapana. He'll run back for the Raiders to the 30m line.

43: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Blake Austin. Kick to come.
From 65m out Canberra treat us to a special try. Austin passes to Waqa and Waqa draws Wright of his wing which sets Rapana down the touch line. Rapana kicks back in field to avoid the Cowboys cover defence and Austin is there to pick up the ball and run 20m to score under the posts.

45: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
Right in front the ball goes over the black dot.

46: Williams kicks from halfway on fifth and traps Winterstein in the corner of the field.

47: The Cowboys just make it out of their red zone and his long kick goes to Rapana. Rapana charges back but loses the ball straight away and the ball is straight into JT's hands. The resulting tackle sees the Raiders penalised and they're under the pump now.

49: The Canberra defence snuff out the Cowboys set play and on fifth JT sends a misguided kick nearly over the sideline. The Cowboys player is pushed over the sideline when he gains possession but the play is called back as JT is shoulder charged on the kick. A penalty is given and another Cowboys set starts.

50: The Cowboys try more set plays and Thurston's attempt at a line ball to the charging Ben Hannant is ruled forward by the referee. The Raiders will get a scrum and seemingly avoid all the danger.

51: Only 30m were gained from the Raiders set but a Williams long kick gains them some extra metres.

53: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Matthew Wright. Kick to come.
After only one run for Jake Granville in the first half he takes on the line early in this second half. His speed got him past the big forwards and into the clear. Granville attracts Wighton and the pass to Wright is perfect as he scores untouched under the posts.

53: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
The easiest kick in the game is successful.

54: JT's low kick plants Rapana right next to the posts retrieving the kick. Lots of metres gained from the Cowboys there.

55: Austin kicks long on fourth tackle but doesn't gain any advantage. A wasteful play there nothing was on.

56: Taumalolo is brought down on the Canberra 40m line and fifth tackle sees another bomb put up, this time to Edrick Lee who takes it comfortably.

56: It's an even game at the moment. Both teams are rucknig the ball up and kicking high on fifth. Now Kane Linnett starts the next Cowboys set deep in his own half.

58: Coote goes high on fifth but Rapana expertly takes the ball, avoids two defenders and make 40m on his kick return. The crowd is getting into it and the Raiders have gone the length of the field.

58: TRY CANBERRA RAIDERS
Scored by Jack Wighton. Kick to come.
Papalii is somehow denied a try on fourth tackle by the Cowboys defence but fifth tackle is controlled by Sam Williams. He kicks high to Lee and Lee bats t he ball back to Wighton's basket and he dives over to score. Excellent stuff!

60: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANBERRA RAIDERS
Conversion attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
A great kick from the left sideline is straight and true! With 20 minutes to go the game is still up for grabs. The Cowboys have been the comeback kings this season.

61: On the first set after points it's the third time this afternoon the Raiders have attempted a 40/20. It wasn't close to being successful and the Cowboys will start their comeback.

62: Wighton gets buried inside his 10m fielding the ball. JT is attempting to turn the moment with some superstar plays.

63: The battle of the playmakers has begun. Sam Williams fires back on fifth tackle by laser guiding his kick over the sideline 10m out of the Cowboys line.

64: Thurston attempts a long pass to the left wing on fourth tackle and Waqa gets one hand to the ball. It deflects back into the arms of JT and they'll get a fresh set of six.

65: The Raiders are penalised from 30m out and it's Sia Soliola the accused. Cowboys don't go for a penalty goal and tap the ball.

65: The Raiders are penalised again with the Cowboys now only 10m out. Extreme danger here for the Raiders.

68: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Gavin Cooper. Kick to come.
The Cowboys fake attacking right and then the Cowboys switch left and Thurston switches left too. Coote had the option to feed Cooper the ball charging for the line or out the back to JT and the ball is feed to Cooper who barges through and is over the line. Everybody thought Coote would pass to JT but it was not to be and six points result.

70: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Kick good from the left of the posts.

70: The Cowboys are right on the line once more and Scott runs around Sam Hoare which meant Scott got to the tryline but obstruction was rightly called.

71: The Raiders bounce back and make 70m metres. A high kick is contested by Coote, Lee and Wighton but Lee knocks the ball on.

71: Cowboys start their set from 10m and make 85m metres on the six tackles. Here come Canberra and the locals are behind them.

73: Quick play the balls force the Cowboys into holding onto the play the ball for too long. They're penalised and the Raiders start a set from 30m out.

74: Austin sends Josh Papalii at Thurston and a classic low tackle means Papalii is stopped well short of the line.

74: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Jarrod Croker makes an unforced error.
He drops the ball cold after an unexpected pass comes from Sam Williams.

75: The Raiders are penalised for a strip on Gavin Cooper and that deflates the home crowd.

76: Matt Scott continues to charge as hard as he can. The Cowboys attack the line on 3rd tackle and Granville goes to short to Tamou. Tamou spins and plants the ball down. The referee rules no try and wants the grounding checked by the video referee.

76: It's a very close call. Tamou plants the ball short of the line and as he rolls over the line Tamou losses control of the ball. The final call is not try and Canberra have four minutes and a seven tackle set with a 20m restart.

77: Canberra looked dangerous all set and fifth tackle sees Williams kick high to Rapana. Jonathan Thurston clearly pushes Rapana as he tries to catch the ball and there many thinking it's a sin bin offence. It is penalised but there is no more than that. The Raiders elect to kick a penalty goal.

78: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL CANBERRA RAIDERS
Penalty goal attempt by Jarrod Croker successful.
A pressure kick from the middle of the right channel is successful. Wow what a game we've got now!

78: UNFORCED ERROR CANBERRA RAIDERS
Shaun Fensom makes an unforced error.
Boyd comes up with a massive first ruck but the second tackled sees a low tackle from Granville force the ball loose from Fensom.

79: The Cowboys have the ball from 40m out and a full set to utilise.

80: Poor execution from the Cowboys sees JT tackled before he can try a field goal. Chaos! JT gets two more chances and Soliola charges both kicks down.

80: The Cowboys got the ball back on both occasions. Thurston fakes a third field goal attempt and Wright is tackled. JT gets one more shot with 10 seconds left from 20m out and he nails it!

80: Wow! The Cowboys! A spine tingling finish! They've won 21-20 and have broken the hearts of the Canberra boys and crowd.

80: That concludes the live updates for the Radiers vs Cowboys. This has got to be the match of the round. More live updates will follow for the Gold Coast vs Warriors and Bulldogs vs Penrith today here on LeagueUnlimited. Keep an eye out for the match report of this match here in the next 45 minutes. Thank you for joining the coverage today. Enjoy the rest of your rugby league weekend!

80: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Field goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Amazing stuff from the No.7.