Cowboys ‘gunslinger’ seals thrilling win over Panthers in 70-year first

The Cowboys have kept their finals hopes alive after their star fullback scored a miracle try to pull off a thrilling win over Penrith.

Scott Drinkwater sealed the win for the Cowboys. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The North Queensland Cowboys have kept their finals hopes alive with a thrilling 27-23 golden point win over Penrith in Townsville on Friday night.

The Panthers got out to an early lead thanks to two tries from Izack Tago, plus four-pointers to Jaeman Salmon and Tom Jenkins.

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Penrith led 20-12 at halftime but the Cowboys fought back with a gritty second-half performance to level the scores at 22-22 with 15 minutes to go.

After a couple of charge downs, Chad Townsend finally broke the deadlock with a field goal following a contentious knock on call by the Bunker that gave the Cowboys possession.

Penrith’s back-up halfback Jack Cogger played superbly and showed his worth by responding with a field goal to tie things up at 23-23 virtually on the 80-minute buzzer to send the game to golden point.

Nathan Cleary was pumped when Penrith levelled the scores. Photo: Fox Sports.

It was a fairly dour 10 minutes of extra time but just as it looked like it was heading for a draw, Tyrone Peachey dropped the ball in a tackle to give the ball back to the Cowboys.

Enter Scott Drinkwater. After receiving the ball nearly 30m out, he danced and dummied his way through Penrith’s tired defence to score the matchwinning try.

The Cowboys fullback absolutely loved it, pointing his finger at Dylan Edwards and letting his opposite number know all about it as he scored the try.

The try sealed North Queensland’s seventh win of the season and ensures they stay in touching distance of the top eight.

Scott Drinkwater stoled it at the death. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Fox League’s Warren Smith said: “Drinkwater wins it! The Cowboys get out of jail. Look at the celebration, they knew what this game meant tonight.”

Mick Ennis said: “In true Scotty Drinkwater style, the X-factor, the gunslinger, he just summed up the moment perfectly.”

It was the first time in 13 years that Penrith had lost a game when leading at halftime with 20 or more points on the board.

It was also the first time in 70 years rugby league has seen the unusual scoreline of 27-23.

The Cowboys have now beaten the Melbourne Storm and the Panthers in consecutive home games in Townsville.

Originally published as Cowboys ‘gunslinger’ seals thrilling win over Panthers in 70-year first