North Queensland five-eighth Tom Dearden has inspired the Cowboys to a tense victory over the Bulldogs in Townsville.
The playmaker was superb in backing up just days after Wednesday's State of Origin decider, producing the match-winning break with 10 minutes remaining.
Jaxon Purdue Try
The 20-18 win ensures the Cowboys remain inside the top-eight for another week while the Bulldogs drop to sixth on the ladder.
It was a case of what could have been for the visitors after they led into the 70th minute before Dearden's piece of individual brilliance.
The Cowboys opened the scoring when Heilum Luki crashed over in just the fifth minute, capping a near-perfect start for the hosts.
Canterbury, however, hit back when Josh Curran won the race to a Toby Sexton grubber before they hit the front in the 21st minute courtesy of a Matt Burton penalty goal.
Josh Curran Try
Valentine Holmes levelled the scores four minutes later but the Bulldogs had the last laugh in the half.
Sexton's boot was again key, Bronson Xerri latching on to the halfback's grubber to ensure the visitors entered the sheds with a 12-8 advantage.
Bronson Xerri Try
The second half started in the worst possible fashion for Cameron Ciraldo's side, two penalties, a set restart and a Blake Wilson sin bin allowing the Cowboys to build a mountain of pressure before Luki scored his second in the 44th minute.
Heilum Luki 2nd Try
After nearly six minutes of defence, a North Queensland error saw momentum shift back towards Canterbury and they eventually hit back through a brilliant Jacob Kiraz leap.
The Bulldogs maintained their lead into the final 10 minutes before Dearden produced a piece of individual brilliance to slide straight through the Bulldogs defence to set up a long-range Jaxon Purdue try that put the Cowboys up 20-18 with seven minutes to play.
The visitors fought hard to hit back, however they were unable to break through as North Queensland held on for a crucial victory.
Match: Cowboys v Bulldogs
Round 20 -
home Team
Cowboys
8th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
6th Position
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Match Snapshot
- Kulikefu Finefeuiaki was placed on report for a dangerous tackle midway through the second half.
- The Bulldogs have now won just one from nine matches on the road this season.
- The Cowboys snapped a two-game losing streak at home and brought their record at Queensland Country Bank Stadium to 4-4 this year.
- North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt won his 100th NRL game in the victory.
- Bulldogs youngster Harry Hayes made his first-grade debut when he was injected into the contest midway through the second half.
- The Cowboys had lost all 15 matches they had trailed Canterbury at half-time prior to Sunday night.
Play of the Game
Jacob Kiraz Try
What They Said
NRL Press Conference: Cowboys v Bulldogs - Round 20, 2024
