North Queensland are hoping their 30-22 win over Cronulla at Queensland Country Bank Stadium wasn't a pyrrhic victory, after losing two influential forwards to injury.
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Reuben Cotter and Jason Taumalolo were both withdrawn in a brutal first half, a potential double-blow to the Cowboys' quest to solidify an NRL top-eight spot as the finals race heats up.
Todd Payten's men otherwise looked convincing against their top-four opposition on Saturday night.
"I thought we were in control of the game," said captain Tom Dearden after fulltime.
"I know they scored a few tries and it probably felt like it was tight but I thought the boys were doing a really good job at being tight defensively and I thought that's what set us up for that game."
Veteran winger Kyle Feldt continued his hot try-scoring form, scoring his 12th, 13th and 14th of the season to seal a vital two points and lift the hosts to sixth on the ladder.
Despite their reduced firepower up front, North Queensland dominated territory for the majority of the game.
Scott Drinkwater made the most of his side's positional advantage with a powerhouse display from fullback.
The 27-year-old added a vital extra outlet to his side's attacking toolkit, assisting two tries and three line-breaks, as well as running for 145 metres with ball in hand.
When he popped up on the left flank in the fifth minute, he created an overload that ended with Murray Taulagi the spare man on the wing and free to score the opening points of the night.
Cronulla hit back through Ronaldo Mulitalo after the winger was found by 19-year-old debutant Liam Ison.
But the home side reasserted their lead through prolific second-rower Jeremiah Nanai, who picked up his 12th try of the season.
The Sharks didn't help their case with costly errors in key moments, finishing just 77 per cent of their sets compared to the Cowboys' 89 per cent.
"We made it bloody hard for ourselves," said Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
"We expected a committed opponent tonight. They're starting to find some form as well. We can't offer a team with that calibre of player that many opportunities.
"Ultimately their spine managed the game a lot better than ours."
Comfortably in charge of the game in the opening stanza, the Cowboys were rocked when enforcer Cotter was taken from the field after a sickening head clash with Jesse Ramien.
He joined Taumalolo in the treatment room after his prop partner suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone, but North Queensland didn't take their foot off the pedal.
Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey was sin-binned for a professional foul, guilty of a late tackle on Drinkwater after the fullback had toed the ball forward amid a break into Cronulla territory.
Kayal Iro pulled a try back for the visitors despite their numerical disadvantage but Feldt struck back with his first try of the night.
Without halves partner Nicho Hynes alongside, Braydon Trindall took it upon himself to get the Sharks back into the contest after halftime.
His grubber kick was stopped by the foot of Sam McIntyre but Trindall toed it forward again and followed it into the in-goal, dotting down under the posts.
But two more tries for Feldt put the game to bed, despite a Dan Atkinson consolation in the dying moments.
Australian Associated Press
