A field goal from co-captain Kirra Dibb has seen the Cowboys go two-from-two at home this season as they claimed an 11-10 win over the Titans in their Queensland derby.
The home side went into the break on top 10-4 after a tight first half where neither side could really break away in a game played in hot conditions in Townsville.
However, there was still some good football played, with the Titans nearly on the board from the first set, when Cowboys fullback Krystal Blackwell let a ball bounce and a chasing Jaime Chapman lost the ball over the line.
Instead, with was Cowboys who scored first with a great kick from co-captain Kirra Dibb reeled in by a leaping Francesca Goldthorpe who still had a lot to do and showed plenty of power to get over the top of Georgie Grey and get the ball down over the line.
Francesca Goldthorp Try
The Titans hit back when Grey got one back for her side, with a nice kick from debutant Lailani Montgomery - who was a late switch from centre to five-eighth - landing in the in-goal where her winger was able to score.
The visitors thought they were in for back-to-back tries, only for Chapman to come away empty-handed again after a review found she bobbled the ball in her attempt to get it down, with Cowboys centre Jasmine Peters doing well to keep on her player and deny the try.
Once again, the Cowboys were able to turn the tables and were instead the next to score, with Dibb again the creator, throwing a clever short pass to Jakiya Whitfeld while feigning to pass behind, giving her centre a great run to the try line.
With her successful kick, the home side went into the break with a 10-4 lead.
The second half saw the Titans again hurt themselves with errors, with the normally impeccable Lauren Brown kicking out on the full on two occasions; but they were still able to stay in the match and were the first score in the second half.
Back-to-back penalties helped the visitors get to their attacking zone, with forward Laikha Clarke crashing over. Brown slotted the conversion to draw scores level 10-10 in the 54th minute.
Laikha Clarke Try
With just over five-and-a-half minutes to go in the match, Dibb decided to go for a field goal and delivered, with the ball bouncing off the left upright and over the post to give her side the lead.
The Titans worked they way to try and draw scores level again with just under a minute to go, Brown's attempt at a field goal skewed to the left of the posts to see the Cowboys get their second home win of the season.
Next Saturday, the Cowboys travel to GIO Stadium in Canberra to take on the Raiders, while the Titans will play on Sunday and host the Roosters at Cbus Super Stadium.
This article contains content that is only available on pan66.com
Match Snapshot
- The Cowboys posted two-from-two wins at home at Queensland Country Bank Stadium to start the season. Before this game, the Cowboys had previously lost three from four at home.
- Cowboys centre Jakiya Whitfeld impressed with a try and 207 run metres in the game, while halfback Kirra Dibb had two try assists and a field goal to help secure the win.
- In a beaten team, Titans prop Shannon Mato topped the metres run, powering forward for 264.
- One of the leading try-scorers in the NRLW, Jaime Chapman was denied tries on three occasions in this match, with committed Cowboys defence paying her plenty of attention.
- Titans debutant Lailani Montgomery was put on report in the first half, while Cowboys forwards China Polata and Bree Chester went on report in the second half.
- The Titans had previously won five of their past seven games at Queensland venues.
- The Cowboys now have won two of their past nine games.
Play of the Game
Dibb gives the Cowboys a one-point lead
What They Said
Cowboys
Cowboys: Round 4
Titans
Titans: Round 4