Cowboys rope in slippery Eels

On the eve of NSW origin selections, Parramatta travelled to far North Queensland to take on the Cowboys, where the Cowboys put on a fantastic last quarter spell to steal the game from Parramatta's clutches and win 40 - 26.

The first half saw Parramatta looking to turn their season around, turning up very enthusiastic in attack and defence. Eels put on their first points in the fifteenth minute with a try to Loko. Just minutes later they crossed again after a big Joel Reddy break dwn the left side finding Ben Smith in support and putting him into score, Burt's conversion put the Eels ahead by ten. Eels scored again minutes later when Reddy made another break down the left and Hayne finished it off with a try which was converted by Burt.

Cowboys hit back late in the half crossing for their first points of the match in the 34th minute with a try to Winterstein. Cowboys scored again in the final minute of the half after Bowen through a perfect pass to Tonga to put him in to score. Thurston made no mistake converting that try taking Cowboys into the break down by only one converted try, with Eels up 16 points to 10.

Parramatta would extend their lead back out to twelve points, when Casey McGuire caught the Cowboys markers unaware to dive over. They would make it sixteen when Joel Reddy powered through some weak defense to touch down, with Burt missing from out wide.

A fortunate penalty opened the door a crack for North Queensland and they burst through, running riot on the tired Eels. Johnathan Thurston was masterful in his control, putting Wille Tonga twice, Glenn Hall and Kalifa Fai Fai Loa over for tries while scoring a brace himself to give the game a final scoreline of 40-26.

Tonight was a four point game for the Cowboys, as they have the bye next week while Parramatta are languishing in 12th position host the resurgent Cronulla Sharks who also have the wood over the Eels.

Match Details
North Queensland Cowboys 40 defeated Parramatta Eels 26
National Rugby League - Round 10 - Saturday May 14, 2011 7:30pm
Venue: Dairy Farmers Stadium
Referee: Ashley Klein and Luke Phillips
Video Referee: Russell Smith
Touch Judges: Russell Turner and Clayton Sharpe
Crowd: 13,610
Halftime: North Queensland Cowboys 10 Parramatta Eels 16

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Johnathan Thurston (2 Tries, 6 Conversions)
2 Points - Daniel Mortimer
1 Point - Joel Reddy (1 Try)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (40)
Tries: Johnathan Thurston (2), Glenn Hall, Antonio Winterstein, Willie Tonga (2), Kalifa Fai-Fai Loa
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (6/7)

PARRAMATTA EELS (26)
Tries: Ben Smith, Joel Reddy, Jarryd Hayne, Casey McGuire, Jacob Loko
Conversions: Luke Burt (3/5)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Good Evening and welcome to Dairy Farmers Stadium for the round ten clas between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Parramatta Eels. Players from both sides vying for origin spots here tonight. Eels trying to turn their poor season around and the Cowboys looking to bounce back after their defeat last round at the hands of the Dragons.

The Toyota Cup game was taken out by the Eels 29 poins to 16.
TEAM NEWS: Cowboys have one change with James Segeyaro to play in jumer 18, with Leeson Ah Mau dropping off the bench.
1 min: Thurston kicks off to the Southern end of the field and w are underway.
1 min: Good opening set from the Eels, but Robson's boot goes straight down the throat of Bowen.
2 min: Good short side play from the Cowboys trying to create something early, but Luke Burt cleans up well.
3 min: Eels don't do much with the set and the boot from Robson allows the Cowboys into some decent position.
4 min: Cowboys run it on the last play and lose it to hand it back to the Eels.
5 min: Decent set from the Eels and good kick from Mortimer finds grass.
6 min: Eels starting to make Cowboys work for territory.
7 min: Hayne trying to get involved now, putting a bit of pressure on the homeside.
7 min: Eels starting to attack, but the ball is shadowed out the dead ball line and Cows get a 20 metre tap.
8 min: Cowboys making some more territiory with ball in hand now and get Eels a tap 20.
9 min: Mortimer loses the ball in a tackle and Cowboys get a scrum.
11 min: Seeing some enthusiasm from both teams, Eels starting to dominate the field position.
12 min: First Cowboys error of the night and Eels get a scrum, after some good attack from the North Queensland.
13 min: Thompson runs it on the last and makes a break, but is collected by a good tackle.
14 min: PENALTY to the Eels, good attacking opportunity for them now.
15 min: VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Parramatta TRY!
16 min: TRY
TRY to the Eels! Hayne makes his way through the Cowboys defence and gives it to Lasalo to get it on to Loko to muscle over and score. Conversion from Burt unsuccessful.
Parramatta Eels 4-0
18 min: Some back and forth with the Cowboys trying to hit back but the Eels with plenty of energy.
20 min: TRY
TRY to Parramatta! Reddy makes a big break down the Cowboys left hand side, gives it to Ben Smith in support and scores. Burt converts.
Parramatta Eels 10-0
22 min: Seeing good defensive displays from both sides now, plenty of energy here.
23 min: McGuire can't get hands on a bad pass from Shackleton.
25 min: Thurston spills the ball and hands Parramatta a good attacking opportunity.
28 min: TRY Media Mantarays
TRY to the Eels! Reddy makes a raid down the left hand edge, finds support in Atkins who gets it on to Hayne who puts on some good footwork and scores. Burt nails a difficult shot.
Parramatta Eels 16-0
29 min: Aston Sims puts a shot on Shackleton after the kick off and the big red head is down.
29 min: Tonga is down now too, looks to be a leg is now hobbling about, Queensland may have lost another centre ahead of origin.
30 min: Great take of a good boot by Graham.
31 min: PENALTY to the Cowboys, good chance for them to attack now.
32 min: Good kick from Thurston threatening the line, Luke Burt does well to take it, and Cowboys get a repeat set through a line drop out.
35 min: TRY
TRY to the Cowboys, quick play the balls from the Cowboys, Winterstein takes it from dummy half and gets over the tryline to score. Thurston fails to convert.
Parramatta Eels 16-4
37 min: Mortimer finds some space, Eels charging.
37 min: Bad pass and Hindmarsh can't handle it, so Cowboys are helped out of trouble.
38 min: PENALTY to the Cowboys, chance for the to attack the line again before half time.
40 min: TRY
TRY to North Queensland! Thurston throws a beautiful ball to Tonga, Reddy trips and Tonga goes in to score. Conversion from Thurston successful.
Parramatta Eels 16-10
40 min: The hooter sounded as Thurston was lining up so that will be all for the half with Eels ahead 16 - 10.
41 min: Second half underway.
41 min: Strong opening set from the Cowboys making their way into attacking zone.
42 min: PENALTY to Parramatta at halfway on the forth tackle, to give them a good attacking opportunity early in the second half.
44 min: TRY
TRY to the Eels! McGuire from dummy half catches markers napping and barges over to score right in front. Easy conversion for Burt.
Parramatta Eels 22-10
46 min: Not a bad set from the Eels, but Bowen reads Hayne's boot well and helps the Cowboys make good metres early in the set.
48 min: Segeyaro loses the ball forward, Eels with a good chance.
50 min: TRY
TRY to the Eels! Reddy pulls through would be tackles ad scores. Conversion from Burt unsuccessful.
Parramatta Eels 26-10
52 min: Charge down Segeyaro and Eels get six again forty out from the North Queensland line.
53 min: Forward pass and Cowboys get the ball back through a scrum.
54 min: Good go forward from the Cowboys and a repeat set, taking Hayne with the ball in goal for a line drop out.
56 min: Cowboys attacking the line, Luke Burt positions himself beautifully, takes the ball and makes it back into the field of play.
57 min: Very enthusiatic Parramatta defence going down with the boot strongly.
58 min: PENALTY against Parramatta for a strip, chance for the Cows after they find the line.
60 min: TRY
TRY to the Cowboys! Ball goes out the back to Bowen who finds Tonga and puts him in to score in the western corner. Conversion from Thurston successful with a great boot half a metre in from the sideline.
Parramatta Eels 26-16
63 min: Contest is back on, both sides firing in attack and defence.
64 min: Cowboys earn a repeat set through a line drop out, opportunity to put some real pressure on.
65 min: VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Cowboys TRY.
66 min: TRY
TRY to the Cows! Beautiful ball from Bowen, Fai-Fai Loa leaps up to grab it and scores in the corner. Thurston nails the conversion.
Parramatta Eels 26-22
70 min: TRY
TRY to the Cowboys. Fai-Fai Loa finds an unmarked Thurston and puts him in to score. Thurston converts to put the Cowboys in front by 2.
North Queensland Cowboys 28-26
72 min: Bowen goes for a 40, but Hayne gets to it and covers it well.
74 min: Some niggles in a couple of the Cowboys players, Johnson has to come off and Winterstein on the ground.
77 min: TRY
TRY to the Cowboys. Thurston puts Hall in to score. Thurston converts and that should be the game.
North Queensland Cowboys 34-26
79 min: Eels steal away, but get caught.
79 min: Lost ball and Parramatta give away their last opportunity to score.
80 min: TRY
Thurston puts one last try on and converts it to give the Cowboys a 40 points to 26 victory.
North Queensland Cowboys 40-26