Cowboys show their finals credentials with important win

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North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

Despite the first official day of the Olympics getting underway, NRL eyes were in Townsville as the Cowboys picked up a 30-20 win over the Cronulla Sharks.

The Sharks looked slightly off the pace to start with Chad Townsend almost nailing a 40/20 which could have been one in the eyes of many but the Cowboys were able to score first inside 7 minutes, when Murray Taulagi scored out wide. Valentine Holmes couldn't convert and the hosts lead 4-0.

Some kick mismanagement from Murray Taulagi gave the Sharks a surprise attacking opportunity when debutant Liam Ison was able to connect with Ronaldo Mulitalo to score. The conversion was waved away and the scores remained locked up.

The hosts then regained the lead just after the fifteen-minute mark when Jeremiah Nanai ran a beautiful line off a beautiful pass from Drinkwater who faded across field. The kick from Val Holmes was good and the Cowboys lead 10-4.

Another two points was added to the Cowboys total when they elected to go for penalty goal after Blayke Brailey was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul after taking out Scott Drinkwater after he kicked the ball in a tryscoring opportunity.

Despite being down to 12, the Sharks were able to score first as the play wasn't pretty but still effective as Kayal Iro was able to score. Braydon Trindall converted from wide out to close the gap to two points.

The gap was only temporarily closed for the Sharks as the Cowboys took advantage when Kyle Feldt was able to score in the corner and after the successful conversion the hosts took the lead back to 18-10.

Cronulla were able to close the gap again fifteen minutes into the second half when Braydon Trindall was able to chase through his own soccered kick through to score under the posts. Trindall converted his own try to close the gap back to 2.

The Cowboys again were able to thwart the Sharks defence when they scored with 15 minutes remaining when yet again Kyle Feldt was able to get on the outside of his man to score in the corner. The conversion was good and the scores drifted back to 24-16.

Inside the final minutes, Feldt sealed the win with a third try in the corner and the conversion pushed it out to 30-16 and the Sharks scored a consolation try through Daniel Atkinson who pounced on a loose ball.

The 30-22 win gives the Cowboys big confidence ahead of a trip to Leichhardt against the Tigers whilst the Sharks will need to buck up their ideas as they return to the Shire against the Rabbitohs.