North Queensland Cowboys fend off Manly fightback

Jason Taumalolo scored a try in each half as North Queensland Cowboys hung on to win an NRL thriller 30-26 after Manly Sea Eagles produced a spirited second-half fightback at 1300SMILES Stadium.

The defending premiers looked to be cruising to victory when Taumalolo, Antonio Winterstein and Lachlan Coote crossed to give them an 18-4 advantage at half-time on Monday, with Daly Cherry-Evans scoring Manly's solitary try.

Struggling Manly had lost six in a row before heading to Townsville, but Trent Barrett's side stunned the Cowboys with Siosaia Vave touching down before Addin Fonua-Blake helped himself to a quickfire double.

The Sea Eagles led 22-18 when Jamie Lyon converted Fonua-Blake's second score with 19 minutes remaining, but Paul Green's men responded with a try from James Tamou and powerhouse lock Taumalolo added another soon after to give them breathing space.

Johnathan Thurston converted all five scores, ensuring a late Lewis Brown try was in vain as the third-placed Cowboys cut the gap to leaders Cronulla Sharks to six points.