Thurston retires a winner

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Gold Coast Titans v North Queensland Cowboys

Johnathan Thurston's storied Rugby League career came to an end in the most apt way possible, in an entertaining, free-flowing performance that kept everyone glued to the game, much like his entire career, with the Cowboys 30-26 victors over the Gold Coast at Robina.

It was the Titans who got the scoring underway after just 7 minutes, when Taylor turned the ball back inside to Lee, who passed to Brimson. AJ Brimson weaved his way through the defence to score a good try. Taylor converted.

On the 15th minute, the Titans crossed again when Elgey ran up to the line, grubbered through for himself, got a lucky bounce and scored a good solo try. Taylor converted from out on the right side.

20 minutes later the Cowboys got on the board when Granville skipped to the left from dummy half, showed it once and then dished it to Fensom who ran straight and hard into the defence, reached out and slammed it down next to the upright for a strong try. Thurston potted the goal from right in front.

With just 2 minutes left in the half, Rein dived over from dummy half to score a great try. Taylor converted from almost in front.

The Cowboys struck first early in the second half when a Thurston kick across to the left side. Cooper tapped it back, Gela-Mosby cleaned up and passed to Hampton who scored. Thurston converted.

Three minutes later Taylor kicked a penalty goal.

On the 56th minute Asiata at first receiver and close to the line, passed beautifully and quickly out the back to Hampton who ran through a huge gap to score. Thurston again converted.

With just nine minutes remaining in the game, Thurston kicked for Cooper again and this time it worked! Cooper took the catch above his head and fell over the line to score. He has become the first forward to score a try in 9 straight games. Thurston converted.

Two minutes later, the Titans attacked the Cowboys right side with a 3 on 2 play, but Gela-Mosby took a great intercept and ran 70 metres to score under the posts. Thurston again converted.

With just over a minute left, the Titans refused to die and a Lee made a break passing to Don, who ran downfield and then threw a long pass back inside to Lee who scored under the posts. Taylor quickly potted the goal.

The Titans had just 27 seconds left to score again for a chance to win and from the kick off they were throwing the ball around. The siren sounded and the ball was still alive, but it was Thurston who ran up and shut down the play and made the last tackle of the game.

Thurston finished up with the following playing record:

Bulldogs (2002-04) - Played 29 - 10 tries, 40 points
Cowboys (2005-18) - Played 294 - 80 tries, 923 goals, 16 field goals, 2182 points
TOTAL (2002-18) - Played 323 - 90 tries, 923 goals, 16 field goals, 2222 points

Queensland (2005-17) - Played 37 - 5 tries, 99 goals, 2 field goals, 220 points
Australia (2006-17) - Played 38 - 13 tries, 165 goals, 382 points