NRL: Thurston key for Cowboys

Matthew Bowen (R) of the Cowboys celebrates after scoring a try with Glenn Hall and Ray Thompson. Photo / Getty Images

Cowboys 22
Sea Eagles 20

Matt Bowen and Jonathan Thurston were at their best as the North Queensland Cowboys overcame the Many Sea Eagles in Townsville last night - but Kiwi eyes will turn to the injured Kieran Foran and wonder if he will make the test against the Kangaroos on Friday.

Foran went off with a quadriceps injury - some of which can come right quickly but can also take some time before the player can run freely again. Foran is widely expected to be named as a playmaker in Steve Kearney's team announced tonight and no one on this side of the Tasman will want to see his partnership with Benji Marshall sundered by injury.

As if to mock the situation, Thurston - expected to be named in the Australian side - performed well, scoring 10 points while the nippy, exciting Bowen scored two tries with his mercurial, low-slung running; taking his career total to 108. Thurston's generalship and overall contribution were crucial in a high-octane match.

The Cowboys seemed to have the game sewn up at 22-4 but the Sea Eagles finished strongly and it was a relieved Cowboys team who completed their sixth win in eight games. Both teams scored four tries and Thurston's boot proved the difference in a thrilling finish.

It was a match many regarded as too close to call. Both teams had a five wins-two losses record, and both had won their previous three matches. They had split the eight previous games played in Townsville at four each and had even scored the same number (186) of points).

The Sea Eagles scored first after 12 minutes, left wing Michael Robertson just getting the ball down inside the corner flag.

The Cowboys had been uncharacteristically loose but they struck after 20 minutes when Glenn Hall dummied and Bowen scooted through for the try. Thurston converted and they led 6-4. They scored again three minutes later when Thurston chipped, Hopoate fumbled in-goal and Thurston dived on the loose ball to make it 10-4.

The Cowboys were over again five minutes later, Aaron Payne scoring from dummy half after a break by Bowen. Thurston's conversion made it 16-4. The Sea Eagles sought a much-needed try before halftime but the Cowboys defence held and theyhad a 12-point lead at the half.

The early part of the second spell was a grind until 16 minutes in, when Thurston ran hard to the line and Bowen sped through the gap for a Cowboys try which Thurston converted to make it 22-4.

Manly's had a double blow when Foran hobbled off at the end of the third quarter, and co-captain Jason King limped off two minutes later. But the Sea Eagles persevered and after 25 minutes Hopoate won the race to a chip by Daly Cherry-Evans and the conversion by the latter reduced the gap to 22-10.

Tony Williams then made a blockbusting run through the centre and Michael Oldfield finished it off in the corner - 22-14 with seven minutes remaining. Oldfield was controversially denied another try two minutes later when it was ruled Jamie Lyon had knocked on before Oldfield raced 60 metres for a spectacular individual try.

Antony Watmough scored a minute from the end but it was just too little, too late.

Cowboys 22 (M. Bowen, 2, J. Thurston, A. Payne tries, Thurston 3 goals); Sea Eagles 20 (M. Robertson, W. Hopoate, M. Oldfield, A. Watmough, tries, D. Cherry-Evans 2 goals). Halftime: Cowboys 16-4.