NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS will take part in this season’s play-offs after a tough win against Wests Tigers, which saw them down at half-time but coming back with three second-half tries to clinch the points.
And their victory ensured there would be no reprieve for Manly and Canterbury.
The Cowboys made a strong start to the game when Tom Chester scored after only seven minutes.
The Tigers replied, however, when Jeral Skelton touched down a Jarome Luai grubber to the in-goal.
With both tries having been converted the scores were level, but the Cowboys went ahead when Scott Drinkwater converted a penalty.
The Tigers took the lead before the interval, however, when winger Junior Tupou made a break and touched down out wide.
The Cowboys gradually got on top as the second half unfolded and they scored a second try on 54 minutes when Heilum Luki took a lovely short pass from Tom Dearden and five minutes later Jaxon Purdue touched down a Drinkwater kick that rebounded off the upright to give them a 20-10 lead.
The Tigers had a try by Terrell May disallowed because of an obstruction by Luki on Drinkwater.
And after the Tigers were unable to make any further impression and the Cowboys scored again when Chester scored his second try in the final minutes of the game.

COWBOYS: 1 Scott Drinkwater, 2 Braidon Burns, 3 Jaxon Purdue, 4 Tom Chester, 5 Zac Laybutt, 6 Jake Clifford, 7 Tom Dearden, 8 Griffin Neame, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Jason Taumalolo, 11 Heilum Luki, 12 Jeremiah Cotter, 13 Reuben Cotter. Subs: 14 Soni Luke, 15 Thomas Mikaele, 16 John Bateman (not used), 17 Coen Hess, 18 Kai O’Donnell (not used), 19 Ethan King
Tries: Chester (7, 80), Luki (54), Purdue (59); Goals: Drinkwater 4/4, Clifford 0/1
TIGERS: 1 Jahream Bula, 2 Junior Tupou, 3 Solomone Saukuru, 4 Patrick Herbert, 5 Jeral Skelton, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Jock Madden, 8 Terrell May, 9 Api Koroisau, 10 Fonua Pole, 11 Samuela Fainu, 12 Tony Sukkar, 13 Alex Seyfarth; Subs: 14 Heath Mason, 15 Sione Fainu, 16 Ethan Roberts, 17 Bunty Afoa, 18 Tristan Hope, 19 Sunia Turuva
Tries: Skelton (12), Tupou (31); Goals: Madden 1/2
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6, 8-6, 8-10; 14-10, 20-10, 24-10
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match: Cowboys: Tom Dearden; Tigers: Api Koroisau
Penalty count: 11-5; Half-time: 8-10; Referee: Grant Atkins; Attendance: 17,888