NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 26 PENRITH PANTHERS 12
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Saturday

LEADERS Penrith suffered a second straight defeat at the hands of Jason Taumalolo-inspired North Queensland.

While a late field-goal handed them a one-point defeat at Gold Coast, this time the Panthers – who won twelve of their first 13 – were comprehensively outplayed in the second half.

Taumalolo’s 300th NRL appearance was watched by the Prime Minister and Princess of Tonga, and the superstar forward made more metres (195) than any other player on the field for the top-eight chasing Cowboys.

Nathan Cleary’s penalty five minutes into the second period broke the 10-10 half-time deadlock, but it was all North Queensland from there with 16 points registered in the final quarter.

Jake Clifford kicked penalties to nudge his side level and then ahead, before his high ball provided high-rising Jeremiah Nanai with a try.

Clifford then twisted his way through scrambling defenders to clinch it three minutes from time.

In the first half, Murray Tuilagi scored little more than a minute in then Nanai crossed off a Scott Drinkwater kick while Liam Henry was in the sin bin for preventing a try (Clifford kicked the penalty).

Each time Thomas Jenkins responded for Penrith, who remain four points clear but are showing chinks in their armour after two successive defeats in Queensland, following their previous week’s trip to the Gold Coast.

COWBOYS: 1 Scott Drinkwater, 2 Braidon Burns, 3 Zac Laybutt, 4 Tom Chester, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Jaxon Purdue, 7 Jake Clifford, 8 Thomas Mikaele, 9 Reed Mahoney, 10 Jason Taumalolo, 11 Heilum Luki, 12 Jeremiah Nanai, 13 Reuben Cotter. Subs: 14 Soni Luke, 15 Griffin Neame, 16 Matthew Lodge (not used), 17 Coen Hess, 19 Sam McIntyre (not used), 20 John Bateman

Tries: Taulagi (2), Nanai (30, 73), Clifford (77); Goals: Clifford 5/7

PANTHERS: 1 Dylan Edwards, 2 Thomas Jenkins, 3 Paul Alamoti, 4 Izack Tago, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Blaize Talagi, 7 Nathan Cleary, 8 Moses Leota, 9 Freddy Lussick, 16 Liam Henry, 11 Isaiah Papali’i, 12 Liam Martin, 13 Isaah Yeo. Subs: 10 Lindsay Smith, 14 Jack Cogger, 15 Scott Sorensen, 17 Luke Garner, 18 Billy Phillips (not used), 19 Billy Scott (not used)

Tries: Jenkins (12, 38); Goals: Cleary 2/3; Sin bin: Henry (26) – professional foul

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 4-6, 6-6, 10-6, 10-10; 10-12, 12-12, 14-12, 20-12, 26-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Cowboys: Jason Taumalolo; Panthers: Thomas Jenkins

Penalty count: 5-1; Half-time: 10-10; Referee: Wyatt Redmond; Attendance: 22,888