North Queensland coach Todd Payten says the club’s six-point win over Gold Coast alleviates pressure on the Cowboys who are still attempting to arrest the inconsistencies hindering the team.
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The Cowboys remain 12th on the ladder on the back of a 30-24 win over Gold Coast in wet conditions at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday but are now only one point from the eighth-placed Dolphins.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak where the Cowboys conceded 138 points.
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They shot out to an early 12-0 lead in the first half before a knock-on from Reece Robson opened the door for the Titans to score as North Queensland struggled to retain possession.
Todd Payten’s side came out firing in the second to regain control but instead of putting the game away they let the Titans get within six points before sneaking away with the points against a fast-finishing Gold Coast side.
“We have talked about (the inconsistency within games) internally,” Payten said.
“We do skill drills at the moment. The Achilles heel for our group is we keep making yardage errors.
“It just gives the opposition field position and multiple shots on our try line. Until we get that right, that is what we need to change and things will go our way.”
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Cowboys fullback Todd Drinkwater ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.
The fullback scored twice, had his hand in another with a delicate kick and made two line breaks in a huge display.
On an afternoon where skills were at a premium and execution was a rarity, Drinkwater was a calm head under pressure and composed with ball in hand.
He took the high balls without fault and his ability to pop up at the right moment proved to be game-deciding.
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Payten said the key for Drinkwater was to now perform when multiple stars are absent for Origin duties for this week’s clash against the Melbourne Storm.
“A lot of the good stuff happens around him. I’d like him to be more consistent with some of the negative plays,” Payten said.
“He is really influential in our group. The key for him this week is to not overplay his hand without the pieces of the puzzle around him.
“Then just focus on the right play at the right time. He is a quality player who is really important to us and we need him playing well.”
