Full Time
80:00
4:05pm Sun April 7, 2024
Round 5 - Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba - Crowd: 18870
80min

Aidan with the match report shortly. Thanks for tuning in!

80min

FULL TIME: The North Queensland Cowboys defeat the Gold Coast Titans 35-22. The visitors looked to stage a comeback but it wasn't enough in the end. Good win from the hosts despite some defensive concerns.

80min

Tanah Boyd kicks on the third and gets a good bounce... but nothing comes of it.

79min

Forward pass from Valentine Holmes. 2 minutes to play.

78min

David Fifita tries a chip and chase but it doesn't come off.

77min

Cowboys knock on off a last tackle kick.

76min

Tanah Boyd kicks on the last, but Kyle Feldt cleans it up.

76min

Beau Fermor breaks the tackle and gets the offload too.

75min

5 minutes to play, 3 tackles down and Gold Coast make it into the Cowboys half.

75min

Penalty Gold Coast for a tackle in the air.

74min

Jason Taumalolo making a couple of decent runs here.

73min

Field Goal: Cowboys
Kicked by Chad Townsend.

Chad makes the field goal with 7 minutes to play - right after coming back from his sin bin. 13 point lead now for the hosts.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 35 - 22 Titans
72min

Cowboys are defending so well to pin Gold Coast to their try line.

71min

AND THAT'S THE RECORD! Kyle Feldt officially passes Matthew Bowen to be the clubs most prolific try scorer. Massive raps for Kyle.

70min

Conversion: Cowboys
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

Holmes converts Feldt's try from right in front.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 34 - 22 Titans
69min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Kyle Feldt. Kick to come.

INTERCEPT TRY! Out of nowhere Feldt comes flying out of the line to get his side out of trouble and that might just be the game.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 32 - 22 Titans
69min

Harley Smith-Shields gets a 7 tackle set after catching a Drinkwater bomb that went too deep.

69min

Cotter is wrapped up just above the eyes and Jayden Campbell has blood from his chin. Play on.

69min

Reuben Cotter with blood down his face after a Jayden Campbell tackle (this is not fox league DO NOT make a Tim Tszyu joke...)

69min

Reece Robson with yet another excellent run and pass to put Reuben Cotter through a hole.

68min

Tanah Boyd puts up the bomb and Murray Taulagi makes a simple take.

68min

AJ Brimson trips on the 4th.

67min

Flurry of tries from Gold Coast and they're on a roll!

65min

Conversion: Titans
Kicked by Tanah Boyd.

Boyd converts to make it a 6 point ball game. This is very interesting here.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 28 - 22 Titans
65min

Try: Titans
Scored by Beau Fermor. Kick to come.

Beau Fermor scores! Tanah Boyd put him through the line and he finds Jojo Fifita who gives it back to him to score. COMEBACK IS ON!!!

Cowboys lead Cowboys 28 - 20 Titans
64min

Conversion: Titans
Kicked by Tanah Boyd.

Tanah makes the kick from right in front. Cowboys lead 28-16.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 28 - 16 Titans
63min

Try: Titans
Scored by Klese Haas. Kick to come.

THAT'S WHAT THEY CAN DO! Klese Haas gets over after a very good and targeted short ball from Sam Verrills. The visitors making a late surge here.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 28 - 14 Titans
63min

Set of 6 right in front. What can the Titans do?

63min

That's an interesting one off the kick but Cowboys knock on is ruled.

62min

Gold Coast are close and a man up after the binning. Good chance for points here.

61min

Chad is sent off for 10 for a hip drop on Jayden Campbell.

61min

Oh no. JC looks hurt.

61min

Jeremiah Nanai loses the ball and who other than Jayden Campbell to clean up the loose ball.

61min

Tanah Boyd hits Kyle Feldt on the chest with a very direct kick. No difficulty here for the Cowboys back 3 with these kick returns.

60min

Moeaki Fotuaika sent off for a HIA.

59min

Conversion: Titans
Kicked by Tanah Boyd.

Tanah Boyd kicks this one. They trail 28-10.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 28 - 10 Titans
58min

Try: Titans
Scored by Jayden Campbell. Kick to come.

Out of nowhere AJ Brimson breaks the line and finds his fullback to score. Good try and Gold Coast will try and use this to launch a comeback.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 28 - 8 Titans
57min

Forward pass Cowboys. Anti climactic set and Gold Coast hang on.

57min

Jeremiah Nanai NEARLY gets through.

57min

The Cowboys moving the ball so well, very expansive football.

56min

Conversion: Cowboys
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

Simple kick from Holmes and he makes no mistake.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 28 - 4 Titans
55min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Reece Robson. Kick to come.

Razzle Dazzle from North Queensland and Drinkwater puts Robson over - but he had to work for that one. He breaks through with power and the hosts lead 26-4 with a kick to come.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 26 - 4 Titans
54min

AND HE SCORES

54min

Reece Robson gets CLOSE!

54min

North Queensland could score here. 20m out on the 3rd.

52min

Jake Granville is hit high and the Cowboys gain a penalty. Ugly shot from Sam Verrills.

51min

Conversion: Cowboys
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

Holmes is successful. Cowboys lead 22-4.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 22 - 4 Titans
51min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Scott Drinkwater. Kick to come.

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki's run is deemed okay and Scott Drinkwater crosses for a great solo try.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 20 - 4 Titans
51min

10m out here.

50min

COWBOYS ON THE ATTACK

50min

Valentine Holmes makes a break after a Murray Taulagi pass.

50min

Such a shame for Neame who has been excellent so far this afternoon. He stays on the field however.

50min

A bit of concern here for Griffin Neame with his knee getting bent in a tackle.

50min

Bad news for Gold Coast with playmaker Kieran Foran not returning after his ankle injury.

49min

Valentine Holmes knocked on an attacking kick from Chad Townsend. Would've been an excellent try if he pulled off the take.

49min

North Queensland bring it back from their own half, 3 plays down.

48min

Very strong run from Josiah Pahulu. He's been impressive on debut.

47min

Conversion: Titans
Attempted by Tanah Boyd.

A seemingly simple kick was shunted wide. Gold Coast trail 16-4.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 16 - 4 Titans
46min

Try: Titans
Scored by Brian Kelly. Kick to come.

SOMEHOW!!! Brian Kelly muscles his way over the line from dummy half. Exactly what Gold Coast need to start the 2nd half.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 16 - 4 Titans
45min

Gold Coast penalty and they have a good chance to score here.

45min

Tanah Boyd puts up another high kick but Scott Drinkwater handles it well.

44min

Decent set here from Gold Coast.

44min

Brent Tate reporting Zac Laybutt has suffered a suspected ACL injury. Thoughts with the young centre - terrible if true.

42min

Sam Verrills makes a nippy run after Chris Randall gets a quick play the ball.

42min

Jayden Campbell safe under the high ball.

41min

It'll be the hosts with first use of the football through Griffin Neame.

41min

And we're underway in the second half! Can North Queensland pile the points on, or will a Des Hasler speech inspire Gold Coast to something of a comeback? Time will tell...

40min

HALF TIME: Cowboys lead 16-0. North Queensland dominated the half - Gold Coast struggling here.

39min

Gold Coast with ONE chance with 7 seconds to go to score off the scrum.

39min

Would've been a great result for Gold Coast to have scored but that was sloppy - still, a good kick from Brian Kelly who has looked impressive in attack.

39min

What a try... or so we thought. The referee allowed a Harley Smith-Shields try but Jayden Campbell was inside 10m and obstructs the play. No try.

39min

6 again Titans.

39min

Titans penalty. A Tanah Boyd kick goes dead but a 6-again forces the play to go back.

38min

Gold Coast with a decent attacking chance here. They could score points just before the break.

38min

Cowboys error to relieve the pressure for Gold Coast.

37min

Kyle Feldt with a strong run.

37min

Expansive ball movement and they'll kick from the halfway line.

36min

Gold Coast try to bring the ball out of their half.

36min

Murray Taulagi knocks it on to close out the set. 71m gain is a very telling sign of the momentum in this match, though.

36min

Cowboys dominating up the middle. Ugly scenes for the visitors.

35min

Reece Robson finds Reuben Cotter who nearly breaks the line.

34min

Conversion: Cowboys
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

Simple conversion again for Holmes. Cowboys lead 16-0.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 16 - 0 Titans
33min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Scott Drinkwater. Kick to come.

Almost too easy for the Cowboys. Drinkwater does it all himself after a David Fifita error and burns Jaimin Jolliffe for speed.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 14 - 0 Titans
33min

COWBOYS ON THE ATTACK! They're close.

32min

David Fifita tries to push an intercept and turns over the ball, inside their own 30.

32min

Murray Taulagi bats the last tackle kick back but Valentine Holmes can't make the take and Gold Coast hang on.

31min

Dearden caught on the last.

31min

Griffin Neame with another good carry.

31min

David Fifita with a forward pass as Gold Coast looked to attack. Just too clunky.

30min

Gold Coast penalty, their first for the afternoon.

29min

Scott Drinkwater nearly kicks a 40/20 but Jayden Campbell cleans it up and then makes an allusive run.

29min

Sam Verrills replaces Kieran Foran who can't continue on with his injury.

28min

Kieran Foran getting more attention from the trainer. That ankle looks bad.

28min

Challenge unsuccessful. No touch and the Titans get the ball back.

27min

Captains challenge! The Cowboys are claiming the kick was touched by David Fifita.

27min

Chad Townsend finds touch on the last - and Kieran Foran looks very hurt.

27min

Griffin Neame nearly gets through the line.

26min

Tanah Boyd puts up a high kick on the last but he can't pull an Adam Reynolds and force the knock on. Scott Drinkwater safe as houses.

25min

Zac Laybutt will not return this afternoon as it's confirmed his injury is to his knee.

24min

Griffin Neame loses it. Cowboys attacking chance blown.

24min

Cowboys get the ball back after the short drop out fails.

24min

A Scott Drinkwater kick finds the in goal to force a drop out.

23min

North Queensland on the attack.

23min

Reece Robson makes a dangerous run out of dummy half.

23min

Well read by AJ Brimson to shutdown Scott Drinkwater.

22min

Cowboys penalty and the crowd like it.

21min

Kieran Foran looks hurt! In other news the Cowboys hold on to an attacking set from the Titans.

21min

Jayden Campbell with a dangerous run.

21min

Gold Coast spread the ball and get into the Cowboys half.

21min

Nanai touch in goal. But wow that kick from Townsend was a ripper!

21min

Scott Drinkwater makes a very dangerous kick on the last which was cleaned up by Jeremiah Nanai but it looks as though he's taken into touch before he can offload the ball.

20min

Scott Drinkwater makes a line break.

20min

Sam McIntyre comes into the fray.

20min

And Zac Laybutt will leave the field with what looks to be an ankle injury. Unfortunate for the try scorer.

20min

Very forceful contact from Kieran Foran - but all legal.

20min

Zac Laybutt is hit hard and looks hurt again.

18min

Tom Dearden kicks on the third but Tanah Boyd does well to clean up the grubber. If he missed it would've almost certainly been points.

18min

The Cowboys on the attack. Again.

17min

Not going well for Gold Coast. Jayden Campbell kicks it out on the full off the kick-off and hands North Queensland a penalty.

17min

Conversion: Cowboys
Attempted by Valentine Holmes.

Holmes misses out wide. Cowboys lead 10-0.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 10 - 0 Titans
16min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Murray Taulagi. Kick to come.

Very good try on the left edge for the hosts. A quick tip on from Valentine Holmes finds Taulagi who dives and plants the ball in the corner. 10-0 KTC.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 10 - 0 Titans
15min

Cowboys on the attack.

15min

Zac Laybutt looks hurt and is tended to by the trainer, but should be okay.

15min

No need for Kieran Foran to hold on like that. Silly play.

14min

Cowboys penalty to take them out of their own half.

14min

Gold Coast are defending well in the first few tackles but as soon as the Cowboys spread the ball they're hard to contain.

13min

Harley Smith-Shields being targeted under the high ball - but he makes the take.

13min

Just as I say that they spread it wide with some expansive football. 62m gain for that set.

12min

North Queensland struggling to make meters here.

12min

Brian Kelly monsters Scott Drinkwater! Good tackle.

11min

Some good attack here from the Titans.

11min

Jeremiah Nanai catches an attacking kick from Chad Townsend but is wrapped up on the last.

10min

Scott Drinkwater catches a Tanah Boyd bomb and Gold Coast will attempt to pin North Queensland inside their own half.

9min

Jayden Campbell makes a strong run for the visitors.

8min

Chad Townsend channels Ben Hunt to lose the ball cold of the restart - but the Cowboys get the ball back after a short drop out pays off.

7min

Conversion: Cowboys
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

Holmes makes the simple kick from right in front. The hosts lead 6-0.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 6 - 0 Titans
6min

Try: Cowboys
Scored by Zac Laybutt. Kick to come.

Laybutt dummies the ball and scores a simple try in the corner. Chad Townsend with the assist.

Cowboys lead Cowboys 4 - 0 Titans
6min

A good run from the Titans is spoilt as Kieran Foran drops the offload. Cowboys attacking again.

5min

Tom Dearden hits Kulikefu Finefeuiaki with a short ball on the last and the Titans hold on.

5min

Chad Townsend gets over the line, but is held up.

4min

Jason Taumalolo with a strong run. 3 plays down on the Titans line.

4min

Set restart.

2min

Kayo dropped out for me.. But North Queensland get the ball off a Titans knock on. Good attacking chance 20m out.

1min

And it's Gold Coast with first use of the football through Moeaki Fotuaika.

Cult hero Jake Granville celebrates his 200th game for the Cowboys this afternoon! Congratulations to him.

With Aussie Daniel Ricciardo crashing out of the Japan GP (much to my disappointment) - I'm hoping the footy provides more joy! That's enough with the Fox League coded cross-sport promotion. All eyes on NRL, Cowboys vs Titans!

David Fifita starts, with Klese Haas moving to lock and Erin Clark to the bench. Harley Smith-Shields and Jojo Fifita come into the backline, replacing Phillip Sami and Alofiana Khan-Pereira.

Welcome to the live blog for this all-QLD clash between the North Queensland Cowboys, and the Gold Coast Titans. The Titans are winless to start their year and travel up north against the Cowboys, who are 3-1 - with their only loss coming at the hands of the Broncos last week. North Queensland have named the same 17 that lost to Brisbane, whilst the Titans have made a host of changes.

Referees & scorers:

Referee: Chris Butler

Touch Judges: Nick Pelgrave, Tyson Brough

Video Referee: Liam Kennedy

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (35)
Tries: Zac Laybutt, Murray Taulagi, Scott Drinkwater (2), Reece Robson, Kyle Feldt
Field Goals: Chad Townsend (1/1)
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (5/6)
Penalty Goals:

GOLD COAST TITANS (22)
Tries: Brian Kelly, Jayden Campbell, Klese Haas, Beau Fermor
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Tanah Boyd (3/4)
Penalty Goals: