North Queensland score another epic win over Brisbane to ease wooden spoon fears

NORTH Queensland have turned it on again against Brisbane, securing a crucial win in their fight to avoid the wooden spoon with a try in the final moments.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA — AUGUST 09: Gavin Cooper of the Cowboys celebrates after scoring a try during the round 22 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos at 1300 SMILES Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

THE Cowboys have edged away from collecting the club’s first wooden spoon in nearly two decades after Johnathan Thurston put a dagger into Brisbane’s premiership hopes in a drama-filled Queensland derby.

North Queensland had little help from the Bunker in another epic derby at 1300SMILES Stadium, but showed tremendous spirit to win their sixth game of the season with a 34-30 triumph over the Broncos.

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The win gives the Cowboys a two-point buffer from last-placed Parramatta, who face St George Illawarra tomorrow, and they have three games remaining to distance themselves from collecting the club’s first wooden spoon since 2000.

They head to Cronulla next weekend before hosting last-placed Parramatta in Thurston’s final home game ahead of a season-closer against the Titans on the Gold Coast.

Hess scored the matchwinner. AAP Image/Michael Chambers.

After being questioned over his decision to play a 17th and final NRL season, Thurston has burst back to his best in the past fortnight.

Thurston sunk the Broncos in the epic 2015 grand final and the four-time Dally M Medal winner was once again North Queensland’s hero, coming up with a match-winning play in the 77th minute for Coen Hess to score.

A veteran of 320 NRL appearances, Thurston has just three games remaining before he retires and is determined to ensure his final season does not finish with the Cowboys bringing the wooden spoon to Townsville.

It was another cracker between the two Queensland sides. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

“It brings a smile to my face,” Thurston said after his 15th win against the Broncos.

“There is great respect between the two clubs. It was nice to get one over them.

“I haven’t thought about (retirement) too much. I’ve been savouring the last few weeks.

“It’s nice to get a couple of wins towards the back end of the year. The fight, spirt and character of the team has always been there so it’s nice to see it.”

Thaiday came up short in his 300th game. AAP Image/Michael Chambers.

Playing his first NRL game of the season, flying winger Gideon Gela-Mosby proved you can’t beat speed when he pounced on a Te Maire Martin grubber before the Cowboys bounced further ahead when Jason Taumalolo made the most of a Darius Boyd error.

The Broncos had two slices of luck from the Bunker as James Roberts and Matt Lodge scored, the latter an eight-point try which edged the Broncos ahead despite a clear obstruction in the lead-up.

North Queensland could do little to stop Broncos forwards Korbin Sims and Tevita Pangai Jr scoring, but hit back through Kyle Feldt and Gavin Cooper to get within two points before Hess pounced on Thurston’s kick for the match-winner.

It was another thriller between the two old rivals. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

NORTH QUEENSLAND 34 (G Cooper K Feldt G Gela-Mosby C Hess J Taumalolo tries J Thurston 6 K Feldt goals) bt BRISBANE 30 (M Lodge T Pangai Junior J Roberts K Sims tries J Isaako 7 goals) at 1300SMILES Stadium. Referee: Grant Atkins, Peter Gough. Crowd: 19,663