If there was ever a Rugby League Heimlich manoeuvre, then the North Queensland Cowboys needed it and used it as they nearly suffered one of the all time NRL chokes following their 32-28 victory over the Wests Tigers after leading 32-6.
The start was an even affair but the game changed after 15 minutes when the Tigers were reduced to 12 after Jarome Luai was given ten minutes in the Sin Bin after 3 successive infringements left referee Gerard Sutton no option. The Cowboys took an easy two points before just a minute later, John Bateman was able to cross.
Having the extra man advantage was valuable for the Cowboys who scored again when Jaxon Purdue scored after the Tigers discipline was non-existent again.
The Tigers then hit back when Starford To'a scored the Tigers first try of the night when he was able to cross out wide after on last tackle the visitors were able to keep the ball alive.
Things might've initially been looking up for the Tigers but they turned bad again when Adam Douiehi had his own 10 minute stint in the bin when he was ruled to have taken out a kick chaser on the way through. The Cowboys took advantage of the extra man on the stroke of halftime when Scott Drinkwater scored out wide although he tried to trick the refs for a few extra metres which wasn't successful.
Picking up where they left off in the first half, the Cowboys quickly scored two tries with the extra man when Jeremiah Nanai was given a contentious four-pointer after an initial on field decision of No Try from Gerard Sutton was overturned by Ashley Klein in the bunker. The Cowboys second try of the half was through Jaxson Paulo finding space out wide to score.
Things looked to be safe for the Cowboys when Tom Dearden strolled over on the hour mark to extend the lead to 32-6 for the hosts.
The safety net of the Cowboys lead quickly crumbled when Starford To'a had his second when a loose ball couldn't be cleaned up by the North Queenslanders and the Tigers had a second.
The worry started to come in as the Tigers quickly went into attacking mode in their own half as they scored two tries in three minutes with Heath Mason finishing off a play he started on his own line before Charlie Staines scored out wide.
Cowboys seemingly snuffed out the chances as they went into a rare attacking movement but the ball came back the other way as Starford To'a was only just denied his third before Jahream Bula scored. Adam Douihei couldn't convert and the Tigers still trailed by four which they couldn't quite over come.
Next week, The Cowboys have a trip to Melbourne to take on the Storm whilst the Tigers head to the Commbank where they play host to the Panthers next Sunday afternoon.