Joel Riethmuller of the Cowboys runs the ball during the round 25 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the North Queensland Cowboys. Photo / Getty Images.
North Queensland's NRL finals destiny is in their own hands after the Cowboys stretched their late season surge to a fifth straight win with a 31-18 victory over Cronulla today.
The Cowboys just need to beat the struggling Wests Tigers on Saturday night to guarantee a top eight finish, a
remarkable proposition considering their dire straits just over a month ago, when Neil Henry was sacked from the final year of his contract.
It was another unwanted Cowboy who stole the show for the visitors, with Matt Bowen - who on Friday announced he had no future at the club beyond this year - turning back the clock with a vintage display.
The veteran fullback scored the opening try and then set up three of his side's four tries - but it wasn't until Johnathan Thurston nailed a field goal with just over a minute remaining that the win was in the bag.
Gavin Cooper's second try of the afternoon - his seventh in six games against the Sharks - merely iced the game for the visitors, who will take incredible momentum into their last round encounter and shape as a finals danger team.
