'Without a doubt': Controversy hits Titans and Cowboys clash after 'blatant' forward pass
Updated . First published at
The Gold Coast Titans' strong first half against North Queensland brought with it a moment of controversy after a contentious try to Beau Fermor.
In the end it didn't hurt the Cowboys, with the home side winning 50-18.
The hosts were first to score in Townsville through halfback Jake Clifford before the momentum shifted well and truly.
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Jojo Fifita and Brian Kelly both scored for the Titans before Fermor crossed in the 17th minute.
However, the pass from Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was suspect as Fermor pushed through the Cowboys defence to score.
Beau Fermor catches a forward pass from Tino Fa'asuamelaui. Fox League
"100 per cent that was forward, without doubt," Greg Alexander said on Fox League.
"That is a bad miss, it was obvious. The ball was forward ... it's hard to get carried away about a pass that was as blatantly forward as that."
More controversy came in the 30th minute when Jake Clifford was sin binned.
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The decision followed what looked like a second try for Fermor. However, Fermor was offside from Tom Weaver's kick. Weaver though was grabbed by Clifford, with a professional foul penalised and the Titans then kicked a penalty goal to make it 18-6.
Jake Clifford is sent to the sin bin for a professional foul. Fox League
Despite the Cowboys being down a man, Jeremiah Nanai scored next for the Cowboys.
Another sin bin came before half time with Titans prop Jaimin Jolliffe marched from the field for a high shot.
Jaimin Jolliffe collects John Bateman with a high tackle. Fox League
"That's the end of a wild first half," caller Dan Ginnane said at the break.
The second half then descended into chaos for the Titans and delight for the Cowboys as the home side engaged in a tryscoring bonanza.
Robert Derby scored first after the break, and went on to claim a second half hat-trick.
Jaxon Purdue, Nanai, Reece Robson and Murray Taulagi were the others to score.
Derby's final four-pointer was awarded a penalty try after Alofiana Khan-Pereira tugged at his shirt while he chased after a kick.
Brock Gray was also binned in the second half for a high shot to compile on the misery for the Titans.
Jake Clifford cops a high shot from Brock Gray. Fox League
Next week at Magic Round, the Warriors play the Cowboys and the Gold Coast are up against the Bulldogs.
