Tom Dearden saves the day as Cowboys win 38-32 over Dragons

The Cowboys have kept their slim finals hopes alive with a win over the Dragons, but their defensive deficiencies were exposed again, as they almost surrendered a 16-point halftime lead.

North Queensland’s faint hopes of finals are still alive after desperately holding on to outlast the Dragons 38-32 in front of 16,020 supporters in Townsville.

The Cowboys had to survive a huge second-half scare as St George threw everything they had at an unlikely comeback with their season hanging by a thread.

With the game hanging in the balance, inspirational co-captain Tom Dearden stood up and scored the match-sealing try with pure individual brilliance.

Dearden carved up the Dragons’ left-edge defence during an early masterclass, slicing through the line throughout the contest to score two tries and set up another.

Tom Dearden wrestled back control for the Cowboys, running away for a crucial try. Picture: Getty Images

Cowboys coach Todd Payten said he was “happy and relieved” to secure the two points, lauding Coen Hess’ impact off the interchange.

“He’s been brilliant. He’s worked really hard. It was a tough season for him last year, and off-season,” Payten said.

“He’s in terrific nick, looks after himself. He’s really diligent with the way he prepares, and I’ve had a couple of conversations with him around the way he’s playing, and how much value he’s giving us off the bench.

“On form, he should be starting. But I, along with a couple other leaders and coaches, believe that that’s the best position for him, and he’s quite happy just to do whatever the team needs.

“His energy too, at training through the week. He’s good to have around.”

The Cowboys have kept their slim finals hopes alive. Picture: Getty Images

The Dragons lost winger Corey Allan to an HIA five minutes before the break and the Cowboys made the most of their limited time with Damien Cook defending at centre.

A three-try flurry in the final seven minutes of the first half gave the Cowboys a 16-point lead at the break after some questionable edge defence allowed the Cowboys to gain ascendancy after an evenly matched opening half-hour.

St George refused to roll over, scoring three consecutive tries to cut the deficit to just two points, before Dearden took the game by the scruff of the neck and delivered North Queensland a much-needed win.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said it wasn’t the type of game he was hoping for.

“We wanted to go into our style of footy, and we didn’t play it,” Flanagan said.

“We let them in for some soft tries. You let Tommy Dearden and (Scott) Drinkwater play like that, in their own backyard. It was crazy. We can’t do it.

“The try just before halftime was really poor.

“You can’t get into a game of touch footy with the Cowboys – I think they’d win most of the time.”

DETERMINED DRAGONS WON’T SAY DIE

There were ominous signs early when Jack De Belin missed two crucial tackles which led directly to North Queensland’s first two tries.

St George managed to fight back into the contest with back-to-back tries from Tyrell Sloan and Mathew Faegai, but a shocking period just before halftime saw the Cowboys take a big lead into the break.

Despite having the worst defensive record in the NRL during the 20 minutes after halftime, the Dragons managed to win the quarter 8-0 to once again get within striking range.

Ultimately the two comebacks weren’t enough to claim victory, and now sitting in 12th place and six points outside the top eight, their season may well be over.

Flanagan refused to buy into that idea, insisting his team’s season was still alive.

“My word it is. We’re just going to keep fighting,” he said.

“It’s a proud club and we’re going to work really hard. We’ve shown that we can compete with the best teams, we’ve just got to find a way to win.”

ROB OF THE GREEN

Cowboys hooker Reece Robson enjoyed his best game of the season in Cowboys colours, relishing the opportunity to snipe around the ruck with a license to play with freedom.

The crafty NSW No.9 set up two first-half tries with his sharp play, and could have had a third if his pass to Griffin Neame did not float forward out of the hands.

The Roosters-bound rake was exceptional in attack, including putting in a grubber that was within inches of being a try.

“I just thought the way our boys ran the ball then, especially Coen Hess when he came on, a lot of impact, quick play-the-balls and it’s freeing up ‘Robbo’ too,” Drinkwater told Fox League’s Brent Tate at halftime.

Originally published as Tom Dearden saves the day as Cowboys win 38-32 over Dragons