Feldt ends fightback

Titans’ unlikely victory charge derailed by intercept try

Des Hasler’s winless start on the Gold Coast has continued after a historic Kyle Feldt try ended their second-half fightback in a 35-22 loss to North Queensland.

The Sunshine State rivalry looked anything but when the Cowboys cruised to an 18point lead against a winless and lifeless Titans side with 16 minutes to go in Townsville.

But the sin-binning of Chad Townsend for a hip drop led to two straight tries to the visitors, before Feldt ended any thoughts of a comeback with a 40m intercept try in the 69th minute.

In crossing for his 131st try, the 2015 premiership hero surpassed club legend Matt Bowen to become North Queensland’s all-time leading tryscorer.

“That’s a big play. That got us over the line in the end,” coach Todd Payten said.

“They had all the running of the play and momentum behind them. Feldty’s shifted a little bit with what we were doing on the edges and that’s part of the reason for it. He come up with a good play.”

Payten also disagreed with the hip drop.

“I thought it was pretty innocuous to be fair. I thought (Jayden Campbell) was already on the ground, so it wasn’t a proper hip drop. Kid got up and played on, no dramas,” he said.

“(I) seen one two weeks ago with Jack Wighton and not get penalised at all, Victor Radley gets put in a bin and (does) not get charged.

“But Chad’s in particular, the sin-binning was harsh.”

Townsend sealed the victory, and ensured a win in Jake Granville’s 200th for the club, with a field goal as soon as he returned to the field.

The Titans claimed an unwanted slice of history of their own, becoming the first team in premiership history to concede 28 points in nine straight games.

The defeat leaves Hasler’s side one spot above last-placed South Sydney, while North Queensland rise to second spot on the ladder behind the Dolphins on points differential.

The Titans were also left reeling by an injury to Foran, who was in the wars after being whacked by Jeremiah Nanai early in the contest, before succumbing to a leg issue soon after.

His possible absence could result in AJ Brimson, who was one of the Titans’ best, moving into the halves for next week’s visit to Canberra.

“My ankle got caught under my own player,” Foran said.