Young Cowboys flogged

The talented back-rower had to be helped from the field in the opening stages of the second half at Skilled Park last night.

From the opening whistle the Cowboys were given a lesson on how costly poor discipline will be in the NRL's new competition.

North went down 46-10 and gifted the Titans their first four tries.

They lost the ball close to their own line just two tackles after the kick-off and Gold Coast hooker Kayne Lawton took advantage.

The 18-year-old powered past some soft defence to etch his way into the history books as the first player to score in a competition game at the new stadium.

But the message on discipline did not sink in for the rising North Queensland stars.

Bad ball security or soft penalties helped the home team go to the break leading 16-4.

With a player of Titans fullback Shannon Walker's ability on the field, added possession was the last thing the Cowboys needed to hand the Gold Coast.

Walker, who looked dangerous every time he touched the ball, showed why he is being hailed as a star of the future when he side-stepped five defenders to score.

When he scored his second early in the second stanza it opened the floodgates and Gold Coast cruised to victory.

The Cowboys' points came through Chris Reisen and Obe Geia.

GOLD COAST 46 (S Walker 2, K Lawton 2, Jared McCarthy 2, Kingi Aka'oula, Sam Stewart, C White tries; C Nelson 5 cons) d NORTH QUEENSLAND 10 (C Reisen, O Geia tries; N Barraclough con)

source: townsvillebulletin.com.au