Two teams struggling for form showed why they are languishing as the Cowboys broke their losing streak with a 28-22 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Souths had two big attacking chances early to start the game but their attacking woes were on show as they couldn't capitalise but saw their opponents go up the other end of the park to score when Viliami Vailea was able to open the scoring.
The Cowboys extended their lead five minutes later when they were able to keep the ball alive through Tom Dearden after Murray Taulagi was able to keep the ball alive and free for the Cowboys five-eighth to score.
Things looked bad for the Rabbitohs though their attack looked very messy but it still paid off as Latrell Mitchell was able to fight his way over the line through five defenders to get the ball down. The Bunnies then were able to take the lead through Alex Johnston who picked up career try 189 to score and Latrell Mitchell converted from the sideline to give Souths a 12-10 lead.
A rare half-time lead for South Sydney vanished when former Rabbitoh Braidon Burns was able to get across with only inches between him and the sideline to get the ball down. The Cowboys converted and took a 16-12 lead in the break.
The second half showed why both teams struggled with some of the play but the Cowboys were able to extend their lead as Braidon Burns picked up a second try when the North Queenslanders went further ahead.
Souths looked as if they were running in quicksand but after enough chances on the North Queensland line they finally cracked the scoreboard again when Cody Walker ran the ball and drew in defenders to score.
Pressure grew back on the Rabbitohs as Latrell Mitchell's dropout failed to go ten minutes as Tom Dearden was able to get over for his second fighting through some poor defence. The try had a double whammy for the Bunnies as Dion Teaupa had hit Dearden high which meant it became a potential eight point try and the Souths rookie went to the sin bin after bunker official Liam Kennedy ruled it had high force.
Thankfully for the Rabbitohs, Valentine Holmes only managed to convert one of his two attempts at goal and the gap was 10 points.
Souths hit back inside the final five minutes to set up a grandstand finish as Cody Walker ran to the line and drew in defenders before finding Damien Cook who scored. Latrell Mitchell rushed the conversion and hit the post.
The Rabbitohs had two big chances with a Captains Challenge going their way and then Tom Dearden sin binned inside the final sixty seconds by referee Peter Gough for a professional foul. Souths had a big chance to score but couldn't take advantage and the Cowboys survived.
Next weekend, the Cowboys have a battle against the Tigers in Townsville on Friday night whilst Souths return to Sydney as they take on Parramatta next Saturday night.