Match Report | Round 10 v Titans

Half-time: This game is evenly poised at the break, North Queensland holding on to a two-point lead as the players head to the sheds. It's been a back and forth contest, with both sides holding the upper hand at times but also spending some periods on the back foot. Cowboys 12 - Eels 10. 

35th minute: The Cowboys have lodged a Captain's Challenge after Zac Laybutt was ruled to have knocked on in the contest for a Mitch Moses bomb. Jordan Samrani was also going up for the ball but it was touched by Laybutt and the Eels have an attacking scrum. Cowboys 12 - Eels 10. 

29th minute: At their best, the Cowboys are one of the most entertaining attacking sides in the competition and they've just shown us why. The back three had no issues chancing their arm deep inside their own half and they slowly wore down the Eels defence. A set restart extended the attacking pressure and the hosts capitalised. Halves Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford linked up, the halfback sending his five-eighth over for the try. Cowboys 12 - Eels 10.

23rd minute: It didn't take long for Parramatta to capitalise, Tallyn Da Silva darting from dummy half, past a couple of tired defenders and slamming the ball down. The Eels have had to absorb plenty of pressure throughout the past 15 minutes and they've done well to retake the lead. Cowboys 6 - Eels 10. 

21st minute: Chance for the Eels now to build some attacking pressure. A Zac Laybutt error handed the visitors possession in prime field position, with Kelma Tuilagi coming agonisingly close to scoring. A pass was deflected a couple of plays later and Parramatta have a fresh set of six. Cowboys 6 - Eels 4. 

15th minute: The Cowboys have well and truly found their rhythm in attack, attacking from side to side and up the middle to stretch the Eels defence. Todd Payten's men went the length of the field in one set and came close to scoring in the corner but Zac Laybutt couldn't reel in the tough catch. Cowboys 6 - Eels 4.

10th minute: They were slow out of the gates but the Cowboys have found their feet and now they've hit the front. The hosts attacked through the middle of the field, with Tom Dearden finding space around the ruck. A set restart handed North Queensland a chance to attack, Dearden almost scored himself on one tackle, got back up and threw the pass for Heilum Luki to score on the next. Cowboys 6 - Eels 4. 

5th minute: The Eels are straight back on the attack after Tallyn Da Silva burst through the Cowboys defensive line and into clear space. The hosts scrambled well, with Scott Drinkwater dragging Da Silva down. North Queensland got back in defence and eventually forced an error to defuse the situation. Cowboys 0 - Eels 4.

3rd minute: It's a dream start for the Eels who turn the early chance into points. Ronald Volkman put up a bomb for the right edge, Jordan Samrani leapt through the air before flicking the ball out the back. The ball made its way to winger Brian Kelly and he scored in the corner. Cowboys 0 - Eels 4

Kick-off: Jason Taumalolo has led the Cowboys out as he becomes the club's most capped player, surpassing Johnathan Thurston, and he has an early carry in the opening set of the game. The Eels, however will have the first attacking chance of the game after Tom Dearden spilled the ball a couple of plays later. Cowboys 0 - Eels 0. 

Late Mail

Cowboys: A couple of late changes for the Cowboys with Tom Mikaele coming into the starting side and Coen Hess shifting to the bench. Robert Derby has also been added to the six-man bench, Xavier Kerrisk dropping out of the squad. Jason Taumalolo will become the most capped Cowboy when he runs out for game No.295, surpassing former skipper Johnathan Thurston. Sam McIntyre has been added to the starting side after Jeremiah Nanai re-injured his shoulder, with the Samoan star facing another month on the sidelines. Kai O'Donnell joined the 19-man squad at the 24-hour update at the expense of Mason Barber.

Eels: One late change for Parramatta, with Charlie Guymer coming into the starting side in the front row and Junior Paulo reverting to the interchange. More injury woes for the Eels, with Ryley Smith (sternum) and Will Penisini (Osteitis Pubis) ruled out of Friday's clash in Townsville. Tallyn Da Silva will start at hooker, while Jordan Samrani steps into the centres. Emerging playmaker Jonah Pezet made a successful return from injury in reserve grade last week but picked up a one-game suspension for a hip-drop and was unavailable for selection. That will see Ronald Volkman continue his partnership with representative halfback Mitchell Moses. Jezaiah Funa-Iuta and Araz Nanva were omitted in the 24-hour update.

Stat Attack

• The Cowboys have won five of their last seven games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
• The Eels have won six of their last eight games against the Cowboys.
• Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his last five games.
• Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 13 tries in his last 11 games against the Cowboys.
• Cowboys prop Jason Taumalolo will break Johnathan Thurston’s all-time club appearance record.

Roosters v Titans at Polytec Stadium, Gosford

Full-time: The Roosters have soared to a sixth-straight victory, running in six tries to two to secure a 28-12 win over the Titans. James Tedesco and Rob Toia each scored doubles as the hosts produced a clinical second half to end Gold Coast's winning streak. Josh Hannay's men were valiant in defeat but couldn't go with their opponents when the Roosters lifted the intensity after the break. Roosters 28 - Titans 12.

78th minute: The Titans get one back, Keano Kini finishing off an impressive right-side shift. AJ Brimson did all of the work, picking up a bounce pass around his ankles before surging past Cody Ramsey and down the sideline. The centre drew James Tedesco and linked up with Kini to complete the long-range try. Roosters 28 - Titans 12. 

76th minute: The Roosters have launched a Captain's Challenge after Reece Robson was ruled to have knocked the ball on at the back of the scrum. Replays show he had clean possession of the ball and the Roosters have an attacking scrum. James Tedesco doesn't need a second invitation, slicing through from a set play to extend his side's lead. Roosters 28 - Titans 6. 

74th minute: The Titans are fighting valiantly to get one back and they've had a couple of opportunities in the past few minutes but they just haven't been able to break down the Roosters scrambling defence. The latest raid ended with a Jensen Taumoepeau kick that went well beyond the dead-ball line. Roosters 22 - Titans 6.

67th minute: The Roosters are flexing their muscles now and they have extended their lead. An error by Keano Kini attempting to catch a bomb handed the hosts a repeat set. The Titans defended well until the last, Reece Robson producing a grubber, Hugo Savala running through and grounding the ball. Roosters 22 - Titans 6.

62nd minute: Daniel Tupou has long been one of the best high-ball targets in the game and he's just showed us why. Sam Walker put the ball on the spot, Tupou leapt over his opposite man, brought the ball back to earth for his 191st career try. He is now into third on the all-time try scorers list, surpassing Billy Slater. Roosters 18 - Titans 6. 

59th minute: The Titans have launched a Captain's Challenge after Keano Kini was ruled to have touched a loose ball before it went into touch. Replays show it bounced on the line before Kini touched it and the visitors breathe a big sigh of relief. Josh Hannay's men have started to find some holes in the Titans defence, Beau Fermor bursting through in the previous set of six. Roosters 14 - Titans 6. 

53rd minute: Titans debutant Zane Harrison has produced a brilliant piece of ball playing to open up the Roosters defence and link up with a charging AJ Brimson. The centre burst through a big hole and was set to be one on one with fullback James Tedesco but spilled the ball before he got there and the chance goes amiss. Roosters 14 - Titans 6.

49th minute: The Roosters have gone up a gear after the half-time break and have threatened to break through for the past few minutes. This time Siua Wong goes straight through from deep inside his own half and finds open space. The back-rower links up with Hugo Savala who is eventually dragged down. The Roosters attack left, Wong links up with Rob Toia, who scores his second try of the night. Roosters 14 - Titans 6.

45th minute: The Roosters have claimed the upper hand early and looked set to force a line drop out. Keano Kini had other ideas, scooping up a grubber deep in his own in goal, running 30 metres across field through the in goal before breaking multiple tackles and somehow getting out of the in goal area to avoid a drop out. Roosters 10 - Titans 6. 

Kick-off: The second half is underway with the Titans to have first use of the ball. Josh Hannay's men were impressive in the opening 40 minutes and will look to get straight into the arm wrestle as they chase a come-from-behind victory over the Roosters. Roosters 10 - Titans 6.  

Half-time: The Titans fought valiantly throughout the opening exchanges and led 6-0 after 30 minutes but the Roosters have struck twice in the final 10 minutes of the half to take a four-point lead into the sheds. The Roosters have been lethal in second halves this year so Gold Coast will have to be at their best to finish on top of their opponents after the break. Roosters 10 - Titans 6.

37th minute: We're off to the Bunker with James Tedesco claiming the Roosters second try. Daniel Tupou leapt high to catch a bomb, tapped the ball back to Tedesco, who darted to the corner for the try. The on-field referee ruled Keano Kini was obstructed but the Bunker has declared it was broken play and awarded the try. Roosters 10 - Titans 6.

31st minute: The Roosters are on the board, with Rob Toia crashing over. The hosts successfully defended their own line before marching down the field and earning a penalty to generate a fresh set of six. James Tedesco then laid on the pass for Toia to break through. The Bunker is taking a very close look at the grounding, with Toia almost dropping the ball, however the try has been confirmed and the Roosters are within two. Roosters 4 - Titans 6. 

27th minute: The Titans have been impressive throughout the first half and they have another chance to extend their lead after Cody Ramsey spilled a bomb. Big defensive set for the Roosters coming up. Roosters 0 - Titans 6.

21st minute: The Roosters continue to threaten with ball in hand but their execution is letting them down. This time it's Reece Robson who almost bursts through before being dragged down by desperate defenders. The hooker attempted to get up for a quick play the ball but dropped the ball in the process and another chance slips through the host's fingers. Roosters 0 - Titans 6.

17th minute: The Titans have the opening points of the game, Chris Randall running a superb line and producing some excellent footwork close to the defensive line to surge past Sam Walker and cross for the first try of the match. It was some good interlinking between forwards, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui throwing the pass to his back-rower for the try. Roosters 0 - Titans 6

13th minute: We've had a frenetic passage of play from the Roosters after Reece Robson latched on to an offload and broke a few tackles. The hooker found a teammate, with the ball passing through multiple sets of hands, before being knocked down by the Titans, regathered by the Roosters and eventually dropped. After all that, the Roosters have a scrum 10 metres out from the try line. Roosters 0 - Titans 0.

10th minute: We're off to the Bunker after Titans debutant Jensen Taumoepeau racing through for a grubber. Daniel Tupou and James Tedesco were desperately trying to deny the winger, who was unable to ground the ball and knocks it on. It would have been a special moment for the 25-year-old who will have to wait a little longer for his first NRL try. Roosters 0 - Titans 0. 

8th minute: Now it's the Titans turn to successfully defend their own line. A penalty against Tino Fa'asuamaleaui handed the Roosters an attacking set of six and they threatened to break through but the Gold Coast defensive was ultimately up to the task. Roosters 0 - Titans 0. 

5th minute: The Roosters breathe an early sigh of relief, with Titans back-rower Beau Fermor unable to catch a tough pass. The error hands the hosts possession and they begin working their way down the field before receiving a set restart late in the set. Roosters 0 - Titans 0.

4th minute: We have an early challenge by the Roosters after James Tedesco knocked down a grubber. The hosts argued the ball were dropped before Oliver Pascoe kicked the ball. The ball did hit the ground but it has been ruled a drop-kick. The replays showing the deflection off Tedesco are inconclusive, meaning the Roosters retain their challenge but the Titans receive an attacking set of six. Roosters 0 - Titans 0. 

Kick-off: We are underway at Polytec Stadium, with the Roosters determined to continue a sensational attacking surge that has seen them pile on the points in recent weeks. Spencer Leniu is in to start at prop, while Cody Ramsey is starting his first game since Round 22 after completing a remarkable comeback last week. As for the Titans, emerging halfback Zane Harrison plays his first NRL game, while 25-year-old winger Jensen Taumoepeau also makes a long-awaited NRL debut. It's a good start for the visitors, who receive a penalty in their first attacking set. Roosters 0 - Titans 0. 

Stat Attack

• The Roosters have won 11 of their last 12 games against the Titans.
• The Titans have lost their last four games on the Central Coast.
• Roosters fullback James Tedesco has scored 13 tries in his last 14 games against the Titans.
• Titans centre Jojo Fifita has scored four tries in his last four games.
• The Roosters have scored 100 points in their last two games.

Late Mail

Roosters: Angus Crichton has been cleared to take his place in the team despite suffering a medial injury in his knee last weekend, retaining his place in the 24-hour squad update. Coach Trent Robinson told media on Thursday: "[Crichton] is really keen to play tomorrow and has recovered well". Taylor Losalu and Billy Smith dropped out of the 22-man squad, with Benaiah Ioelu shifting to the reserve spot and Fetalaiga Pauga joining the 19 alongside Reece Foley, who is in line to make his NRL debut. Cody Ramsey is set for his first start in the NRL since 2022 after coming off the bench last week to complete a remarkable comeback from ulcerative colitis. Ramsey replaces Mark Nawaqanitawase (ankle), while Spencer Leniu is set to start in the front row after Lindsay Collins was placed in the head knock protocol. No changes in Friday's final team update, with Ioelu dropping out of the squad. 

Titans: Gold Coast will line up 1-19 with coach Josh Hannay locking in his team in Friday's 90-minute update. Young gun Zane Harrison is set for an NRL debut after impressing in the Witzer Pre-Season Challenge and the opening rounds of the Queensland Cup season. The NSW Under 19 representative will start at halfback, with Jayden Campbell shifting to five-eighth. An NRL debut is also coming for Jensen Taumoepeau after Siale Faeamani went down with a knee injury. Prop Klese Haas, hooker Oliver Pascoe and lock Cooper Bai are all set to start on Friday night as Hannay rejigs his pack. Chris Randall moves to second row, with Arama Hau, Kurtis Morrin and Sam Verrills reverting to the interchange. Adam Christensen and Bodhi Sharpley were omitted in the 24-hour squad update.