NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 30 GOLD COAST TITANS 16
TOM SMITH, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Sunday

JAYDEN CAMPBELL’S dazzling return from a hamstring injury couldn’t help the Titans overpower the Cowboys in the final game of round three.

With both clubs chasing their first win of the season, the Gold Coast live-wire crossed twice in five frenetic minutes midway through the first half, before North Queensland arrested control and converted a mountain of possession into points.

Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater was at his brilliant attacking best, producing a solo try from long range and putting his fingerprints all over another two scores, while Murray Taulagi bagged a brace.

Taulagi got the hosts on the board thanks to Drinkwater early, before Campbell stepped through the Cowboys’ line then sprinted 85 metres with an intercept to notch his quick-fire brace.

But Taulagi found the left corner again and Drinkwater weaved his way to the whitewash from deep in his own half to get North Queensland back in front.

Jaxon Purdue grounded a loose Jake Clifford bomb to make it 22-10 at the break, although Kurtis Morrin’s try and Campbell’s second conversion shaved the arrears just 90 seconds into second half.

A Clifford penalty goal gave the Cowboys some breathing room and the win was effectively sewn up when the stand-off finished an audacious team move on the hour mark and added his fourth conversion.

Taking some gloss off the win, referee Peter Gough sin-binned Tom Chester late for catching the runaway Campbell high.

COWBOYS: 1 Scott Drinkwater, 2 Braidon Burns, 3 Jaxon Purdue, 4 Tom Chester, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Jake Clifford, 7 Tom Dearden, 10 Jason Taumalolo, 9 Reed Mahoney, 16 Griffin Neame, 11 Heilum Luki, 12 Sam McIntyre, 13 Reuben Cotter. Subs: 8 Coen Hess, 14 Soni Luke, 15 Kai O’Donnell (not used), 18 Zac Laybutt (not used), 20 Kaiden Lahrs, 21 Matthew Lodge

Tries: Taulagi (8, 24), Drinkwater (29), Purdue (34), Clifford (61); Goals: Clifford 5/6; Sin bin: Chester (76) – high tackle

TITANS: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Sialetili Faeamani, 3 Jojo Fifita, 4 Max Feagai, 5 Phillip Sami, 6 AJ Brimson, 19 Jayden Campbell, 8 Moeaki Fotuaika, 9 Sam Verrills, 10 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11 Arama Hau, 12 Beau Fermor, 13 Chris Randall. Subs: 7 Lachlan Ilias, 14 Kurtis Morrin, 15 Tukimihia Simpkins, 16 Klese Haas, 17 Cooper Bai, 22 Josh Patston (not used)

Tries: Campbell (15, 20), Morrin (42); Goals: Campbell 2/3

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6, 6-10, 10-10, 16-10, 22-10; 22-16, 24-16, 30-16

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater; Titans: Jayden Campbell

Penalty count: 6-7; Half-time: 22-10; Referee: Peter Gough; Attendance: 16,999