Jamayne Isaako scores 20 individual points in Dolphins win over Cowboys

A sold-out Townsville crowd was treated to a thrilling encounter between the Dolphins and Cowboys, headlined by Jamayne Isaako’s 20-point haul.

The Dolphins have moved into the NRL’s top four following a chaotic 28-26 victory over the Cowboys in front of a sold-out Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The visitors hit the lead through Jake Averillo with 10 minutes to go after trailing for most of the game and held on for the thrilling win.

North Queensland threw everything they had at the Dolphins in the final stages, including a late try to Jeremiah Nanai, but Valentine Holmes couldn’t make the game-levelling conversion.

A last-gasp two-point field goal attempt from Scott Drinkwater fell short of its target, sealing the Cowboys’ fate.

The Cowboys had burst out of the gates with two quickfire tries but couldn’t fend off the never-say-die Dolphins who simply refused to give in.

Jamayne Isaako had a field day for the visitors, scoring 20 individual points with a hat-trick to lead his side to the statement derby win.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten was incensed after the two-point defeat.

“It’s super frustrating, it makes you really angry (and) disappointed,” Payten said.

“In the end we were just outworked when it really mattered. We knew we were playing a team that just doesn’t go away, (we) started fast but just unable to defend back-to-back sets.”

Jamayne Isaako scored 20 individual points. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

JAMAYNE’S PLAYGROUND

Jamayne Isaako loves the Cowboys’ new stadium.

Isaako made it back-to-back hat-tricks in Townsville early in the second half when he collected a Jake Averillo offload to dive over.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett said Isaako’s kicking ultimately made the difference.

“He didn’t get an easy kick there tonight, the last one was the easiest he had but if he doesn’t kick like he did tonight then we don’t win the game, so he’s wonderful,” Bennett said.

“As a coach I’m really proud of them and I’m sure their fans are really proud of them too.

“They overcame a lot to get that win.”

Isaako now has eight tries and 62 points from five games played at QCB Stadium, including a hat-trick and four goals for 20 points in round 6 last season.

He completed what was his third career double against the Cowboys in the first half before dotting over again after the break.

Last year’s top tryscorer and pointscorer finished the game with three linebreak, four tackle breaks and an offload.

Val Holmes was unable to kick the goal that would likely force golden point. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

COWBOYS DEFENCE GIVES NO CONFIDENCE

North Queensland scored twice in the first eight minutes and signs looked ominous for the Dolphins but the visitors were allowed back into the contest through piggyback penalties and poor defence.

Every time the Dolphins entered the Cowboys’ red zone they looked threatening and they were able to convert opportunities far too easily.

One aspect that will please Todd Payten is the fact that the Dolphins five tries were all scored in the wide channels, which is a nice change of pace as the Cowboys concede more tries through the middle than any other team.

Jake Clifford returned to the field. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

CLIFFORD’S COMEBACK

Cowboys halfback Townsend was ruled out of the clash on Friday with a knee injury – the first game the veteran has missed since signing with North Queensland – and homegrown hero Clifford shouldered the responsibility in his absence.

Clifford had an instant impact on the Cowboys in attack, setting up a try when Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller failed to defuse a sky-high bomb and Jeremiah Nanai scooped it up to score.

Payten said Clifford made a ‘solid’ return to the side.

“I thought he kicked really well, I thought he tackled well, and the combination between himself, Tommy (Dearden) and Drinky (Scott Drinkwater) was pretty consistent throughout the game,” Payten said.

“Just that one little bit of confusion close to the try line, but they’re both chasing the game there so I can’t be too annoyed about that.”

The 26-year-old’s kicking game offered great variation from what Cowboys fans are used to and a memorable 40/20 from a spiral bomb was a highlight.

Clifford made eight kicks for 330m and notched up a try assist to go with his 21 tackles without a miss.

However, a poor read jamming in while defending his goal line contributed to Tesi Niu’s try in the first half.

Originally published as Jamayne Isaako scores 20 individual points in Dolphins win over Cowboys