Round 20
Cowboys 26 d. Broncos 10

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Cowboys most impressive victory
Sun July 23, 2006
North Queensland have recorded one of their most impressive and important victories disposing of Queensland rivals Brisbane 26-10 in front of a full house at Townsville last night.

The Cowboys have been a club in trouble on and off the field since winning their opening five matches of the season desperately needed a big effort against the Broncos to get their season back on track and put to sleep many of their critics.

It wasn't the best start for North Queensland with Darren Lockyer scoring an early try from a Cowboys mistake and then losing halfback Johnathan Thurston in the 5th minute due to a knee medial ligament injury. Thurston will be out of action for around 4-5 weeks.

Despite Thurston being off the field, the Cowboys scored three tries in nine minutes with Matt Bowen finally finding the form that has won him representative honours in the past. Ashley Graham scored in the 21st minute followed by Josh Hannay and Matt Sing for the home side to lead 14-4 with Hannay only successful with one goal.

The second half was all North Queensland with Sing crossing for two tries to complete his hat-trick.

Brad Thorn scored in the final stages to bring the Broncos score into double figures following Lockyer's conversion.

North Queensland was reduced to a squad of 15 just after half-time with prop Rob Tanielu coming off the field due to concussion with fears of a serious neck injury.

There were a many host of fine performers for the Cowboys with forwards Aaron Payne, Carl Webb and Mitchell Sargent all outstanding. Bowen and Sing in the backs both found their best form and the Cowboys will need that if they want to finish in the top six for the September Football.

One good win doesn't make a season and the Cowboys have to back up the performance against Brisbane with a good win against the Roosters.

Brisbane are back at home next Sunday against the out of form Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium where they'll be without Benji Marshall and most probably Brett Hodgson.

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