LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
The Queensland derby between the Cowboys and Titans ended in a thrilling 11-10 victory for the Cowboys, thanks to a clutch field goal from co-captain Kirra Dibb.
In a game played in scorching conditions in Townsville, both teams fought hard to gain the upper hand, with the Cowboys going into the halftime break with a slim 10-4 lead.
Despite the heat, the players showcased some top-notch football skills, with the Titans coming close to scoring early in the match.
A missed opportunity from Cowboys fullback Krystal Blackwell and a fumble from Titans' Jaime Chapman set the tone for a closely contested game.
It was the Cowboys who drew first blood, with a brilliant kick from Kirra Dibb setting up Francesca Goldthorpe for a spectacular try.
The Titans answered back with a try of their own, courtesy of Georgie Grey capitalizing on a well-placed kick from debutant Lailani Montgomery, who had been switched to five-eighth at the last minute.
The Titans thought they had scored another try, but a review overturned the decision due to a handling error from Chapman.
Cowboys' centre Jasmine Peters stood firm in defense, preventing a potential game-changing score from the Titans.
In the end, it was Kirra Dibb's field goal that proved to be the difference, securing a well-deserved victory for the Cowboys in front of their home crowd.
The Queensland derby lived up to its reputation for intense competition and dramatic moments, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.