It was another close call for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the North Queensland Cowboys up in Cairns on Sunday afternoon - here are the seven biggest talking points from the match.
1. Yes We Cairns
It's been four seasons since we've had a victory at Barlow Park, but the most promising aspect from Sunday's win was that it was the first time we've done so against North Queensland.
The locals pushed Souths to the brink, but the 'home' side had just enough to overcome the Johnathan Thurston-led Cowboys to record their eighth win on the trot.
2. Whatever The Weather
Barlow Park has been renowned as a dry track that has seen plenty of expansive footy being played, but this time around, the heavens opened up, with a constant downpour throughout the early stages of the match.
However, that failed to deter the Rabbitohs' attacking prowess, as they maintained a 78% completion rate, offloaded 15 times and made 6 linebreaks, proving that wet weather doesn't always prevent points from being scored.
3. Spine-Tingling Performance
It was a great performance from the Rabbitohs' spine on the weekend, who all had an impact on the final result. Alex Johnston ran for 128 metres, and made two linebreaks, while Cody Walker put in a strong performance, scoring a decisive try before halftime and running for 60 metres while making a linebreak.
Hooker Damien Cook ran for 100 metres, creating a linebreak assist and try for Robert Jennings late in the match.
But the man of the moment was halfback Adam Reynolds, who opened the Red and Green's account with a nicely weighted regathered grubber.
He also kicked 2 goals, made 399 kicking metres, forced a dropout, and of course, kicked the ever-important field goal that got his side the victory.
4. Can You Kick It?
Kicking seemed to be the focus of the day, with the Rabbitohs recording 20 kicks with five different players putting boot to ball – even Sam Burgess managed to put up a whopping torpedo. Both sides also put in 483 metres with the boot.
The first three tries of the match were conjured up from kicks, and the match itself finished on the back of two field goal attempts – one successful for Adam Reynolds, and one unsuccessful for Johnathan Thurston.
5. Another Close Shave
For the second time this season the Rabbitohs defeated the Cowboys by a solitary point.
Credit is due to North Queensland, who, on both occasions, pushed Souths to the limit.
But as they have done so throughout the season, the Rabbitohs rallied late and managed to put the game to bed with a late try and then a field goal in the final few minutes
The last time the Club beat a team twice in the same season by a single point was the Cronulla Sharks way back in 1971 when we beat them in Round 3, 16-15 and then 22-21 in Round 14.
6. Cometh The Hour, Cometh The Reynolds
It was an eventful match for Adam Reynolds, to say the least. Not only did he bag his first try of the year, he also kicked the winning field goal, while also becoming the second highest goal-scorer for the Club.
With the scores levelled at 20-all with less than five minutes left, Reynolds had a chance to give his side the lead with a sideline conversion. It just hit the upright, but no matter, there was still time.
A few sets later, Reynolds attempted a field goal, and again, it missed the target. It didn't matter, because there was still time left on the clock.
And in the 78th minute, the sharp-shooting halfback hit his target and brought Souths the lead and the two points.
The 28-year-old not only has one of the best kicking games in the competition but also possesses a knack to produce clutch plays when they are required, which will be handy in the back end of the season.
7. Twenty-Nine Years in The Making
The last time the Rabbitohs notched up eight wins in a row, only three of the current playing squad were alive. In fact, when the Rabbitohs made their 12-match winning streak back in 1989, Football Manager Mark Ellison was on the field putting on big hits, scoring tries and kicking goals!
It's one of the special things about the Club – even with such a storied history and with traditions laid into place, the current crop can still produce new records and create their own legacies.
