Broncos prevail in derby thriller

BRISBANE Mr Fix-it Jake Turpin last night produced the greatest solo play of his NRL career to break the Cowboys’ hearts and keep the Broncos’ season alive with an 18-14 great escape in Townsville.

In a dreadful but desperate derby, North Queensland looked to have all-but delivered the bullet to Brisbane’s finals hopes when Jake Clifford landed a 72nd-minute penalty goal for a narrow 14-12 lead.

But within 60 seconds remaining, the Broncos conjured the ultimate Houdini act, the newly-signed Turpin racing onto an offload and slicing through to consign the Cowboys to another crushing last-minute defeat.

It was a drama-charged finale, with the final Brisbane pass in the lead-up to Turpin’s try appearing to be forward, but referee Matt Cecchin awarded the try which catapulted Brisbane back into the top eight.

A loss could have sent Brisbane crashing to 11th. But they wake today temporarily in seventh spot and have finals destiny in their hands as they brace for a final month of games against Penrith, Souths, Parramatta and Canterbury.

In total, there were a staggering 26 errors — 13 apiece — but Brisbane held their nerve longer to snatch the derby. The NRL’s greatest rivalry was again close, with the sides going to half-time locked at 6-all before Clifford and Fififta traded superb solo second-half tries to set-up a thrilling finale.

Stung by last week’s 40-4 debacle against the Storm, the Broncos started up-tempo from the start.