Wests Tigers have fallen to a 32-28 defeat to the Cowboys in Townsville. In a match where they trailed 32-6, an epic fightback fell just short, despite some outstanding individual performances from the likes of Starford To’a and Jahream Bula After Jarome Luai was sin-binned for repeated infringements early on, tries to John Bateman and Jaxon Purdue meant things looked ominous for the Tigers. However, a great team move where Wests Tigers shifted the ball to either end of the field culminated in Starford To’a breaking numerous tackles to score. Another sinbin though, this time to Adam Doueihi for taking out a Cowboys chaser, led to Drinkwater racing through off a scrum right before half-time. The score read 18-6 at the break, and with Doueihi still in the bin, Jeremiah Nanai grabbed a try in the first set of the second period to extend the home side’s lead. Jaxson Paulo was next to score, before a long-range effort from the Cowboys was finished off by Tom Dearden. From there though, Wests Tigers nearly pulled off the equal-greatest comeback in Australian rugby league history. To’a’s strength and power was on show again for his second try, and just two minutes later, Heath Mason stepped his way through for his first four-pointer at NRL level this season. When Jahream Bula set Charlie Staines up in the corner, Wests Tigers were right back in the match, and Jahream Bula sliced through with five to go to bring them within two points. However, despite their best efforts, the Tigers just couldn’t find that last try to level or win the match, with North Queensland ultimately emerging victorious, 32-28. Cowboys 32 (Bateman, Purdue, Drinkwater, Nanai, Paulo, Dearden tries; Drinkwater 4/7 goals) defeated Wests Tigers 28 (To'a 2, Mason, Staines, Bula tries; Doueihi 4/5 goals) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Source: www.weststigers.com.au