Cowboys fall to 0-3 against Terrific Titans

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North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans

The North Queensland Cowboys are still yet to pick up a win after falling to a much improved Gold Coast Titans outfit 44-8 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

It was the Titans however who started the game off in the worst possible fashion, with Patrick Herbert kicking off out on the full for the second time in 2021.

The Cowboys weren't able to take advantage of the gift field position, and it was instead the Titans who opened the scoring 10 minutes in through AJ Brimson. Anthony Don batted the ball back in and Brimson backed himself to grubber for himself and it ended up paying off.

Both sides went blow for blow for 14 minutes after that; Tino Fa'asuamaleaui dropped the ball twice within about 5 minutes, but it was third time lucky as his successful completion of a play the ball saw Phillip Sami get set up by AJ Brimson. 

33 minutes into the first half, the score was 12-0, however the next 7 minutes saw the floodgates begin to open. Mitch Rein scurried down a short side and set up Phillip Sami 2 on 1 against Val Holmes, before passing to Corey Thompson who went over untouched. 

4 minutes later, big Mo Fotuaika crashed over directly under the posts, while a Jamal Fogarty penalty goal right on half time meant the scoreline would blow out to 26-0 at the break.

The Cowboys were the first to score in the second half, with a good hit up from Josh McGuire setting up acres of room on the left for the Cowboys, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow subsequently scored his first of the year.

The Titans made sure no comeback of any kind would be happening 10 minutes later, with Jaimin Jolliffe exposing some soft Cowboys defence to break right through and set up Brimson under the posts for his second of the night. 

The Cowboys would hit back 3 minutes later, this time scoring due to some slick attacking shape in what was one of very few positives of the night. Murray Taulagi was on the end of it all, making the score 32-8.

Both sides then had tries disallowed in quick succession due to obstruction. At one end, Tanah Boyd was denied, while the Cowboys looked to have used their penalty to perfection by sending Murray Taulagi over for his second. Upon further review by the bunker however, it was revealed Corey Thompson had been obstructed.

The Titans then made full use of the resulting penalty, with Tyrone Peachey reminding everyone of what he's capable of and breaking through the defensive line before sending David Fifita over for his third try as a Titan. 

Corey Thompson showed some tremendous strength to remain in the field of play and get the ball down right on the full time siren, while Jamal Fogarty's sideline conversion ensured his goal kicking record was a perfect 7/7 as well as giving the Titans their 44th point, their most in franchise history. 

Next week, the Cowboys will have a tough assignment against the much improved defence of the Sharks, while the Titans will have an opportunity to prove themselves against a contender in the Raiders.