NRL: Thurston dazzles in Cowboys victory

Johnathan Thurston (c) of the Cowboys celebrates with Dallas Johnson and Aaron Payne after scoring his first try. Photo / Getty Images

North Queensland Cowboys 40
Parramatta Eels 26

The North Queensland Cowboys have fought back from a half-time deficit to beat a rejuvenated Parramatta Eels 40-26.

But it took four tries in the last 15 minutes to get the Cowboys home.

On his return from suspension, Jarryd Hayne inspired the Eels to an early lead but the Cowboys finished strongly to stay in touch.

Hayne's offload to Jacob Loko set up the opening try in the 15th minute, the Parramatta centre holding off two Cowboys defenders to reach out and put the ball on the line.

Four minutes later Hayne put Joel Reddy into a gap and the centre ran 40 metres before putting Ben Smith over.

Hayne started and finished the play that led to Parramatta's third try, when he again put Reddy into another gap 38 metres out from his own try line before collecting a Jacob Atkins pass and dancing his way past Kalifa Faifai Loa to score in the corner on 27 minutes.

Centre Antonio Winterstein kept the Cowboys in touch when he barged his way over the tryline in the 35th minute.

Willie Tonga ensured the Cowboys finished the half on a positive note when he was put into a gap by co-captain Johnathan Thurston in the 40th minute.

NORTH QUEENSLAND 40 (J Thurston 2 W Tonga 2 K Fai Fai Loa G Hall A Winterstein tries J Thurston 6 goals) d PARRAMATTA 26 (J Hayne J Loko C McGuire J Reddy B Smith tries L Burt 3 goals) at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Referee: Luke Phillips, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 13,610.

- AAP