DIEHARD
19-02-06, 03:21 AM
Cowboys trump Warriors
Cowboys 26 Warriors 10
North Queensland's Matt Bowen helped the Cowboys flash out of the blocks and set up a solid trial win over New Zealand Warriors at Barlow Park in Cairns tonight.
Led by explosive fullback Bowen and winger Ty Williams, the Cowboys mustered a 20-0 lead by half-time before grinding out the final half to win comfortably in front of 15,000 fans at Cairns.
Bowen continually broke the line and his move into the role of first receiver proved effective, darting 40 metres after 11 minutes and shaking off flailing Warriors defenders to bring the ball into the Cowboys attacking 30-metre zone.
A slick backline movement resulted in centre Paul Bowman crashing over near the left corner post.
Bowman dived over again in the same spot four minutes later with the Cowboys maintaining consistent possession and the Warriors struggling to complete a set of six.
Bowen had a hand in the Cowboys third try as well, breaking the line before a casual inside flick pass to halfback Brett Firman put him over just to the left of the upright, Johnathan Thurston's first successful conversion putting them 14-0 clear.
Steve Price and Ruben Wiki were making useful metres for the Warriors in the later stages of the half but could not bust through the defensive line.
Good field position put them within reach of their first main scoring opportunity before a pass between Nathan Fien and Clinton Toopi was ruled forward.
The Cowboys then swung the ball left across the line on the counter-attack and Bowen stepped clear of three defenders to score, Thurston's conversion handing the Cowboys a 20-0 half-time lead.
New Zealand came out of the half-time break on the attack, but were once again denied a try with former Cowboy Michael Luck held up over the line.
It took another 15 minutes before they were finally on the board, Wairangi Koopu swinging the ball wide to Manu Vatuvei who dived over in the corner.
But a dashing Ty Williams successfully chased his own kick down the right touch line and Thurston converted from out wide to extend North Queensland's lead to 26-4.
New Zealand scored a consolation try on full-time courtesy of a bulldozing George Tuakura, with Tony Martin adding the extras.
NORTH QUEENSLAND 26 (Paul Bowman 2, Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Brett Firman tries; Johnathan Thurston 3 goals)
NEW ZEALAND 10 (Manu Vatuvei, George Tuakura tries; Tony Martin goal) at Barlow Park in Cairns.
Source: NEWS.com.au
Cowboys 26 Warriors 10
North Queensland's Matt Bowen helped the Cowboys flash out of the blocks and set up a solid trial win over New Zealand Warriors at Barlow Park in Cairns tonight.
Led by explosive fullback Bowen and winger Ty Williams, the Cowboys mustered a 20-0 lead by half-time before grinding out the final half to win comfortably in front of 15,000 fans at Cairns.
Bowen continually broke the line and his move into the role of first receiver proved effective, darting 40 metres after 11 minutes and shaking off flailing Warriors defenders to bring the ball into the Cowboys attacking 30-metre zone.
A slick backline movement resulted in centre Paul Bowman crashing over near the left corner post.
Bowman dived over again in the same spot four minutes later with the Cowboys maintaining consistent possession and the Warriors struggling to complete a set of six.
Bowen had a hand in the Cowboys third try as well, breaking the line before a casual inside flick pass to halfback Brett Firman put him over just to the left of the upright, Johnathan Thurston's first successful conversion putting them 14-0 clear.
Steve Price and Ruben Wiki were making useful metres for the Warriors in the later stages of the half but could not bust through the defensive line.
Good field position put them within reach of their first main scoring opportunity before a pass between Nathan Fien and Clinton Toopi was ruled forward.
The Cowboys then swung the ball left across the line on the counter-attack and Bowen stepped clear of three defenders to score, Thurston's conversion handing the Cowboys a 20-0 half-time lead.
New Zealand came out of the half-time break on the attack, but were once again denied a try with former Cowboy Michael Luck held up over the line.
It took another 15 minutes before they were finally on the board, Wairangi Koopu swinging the ball wide to Manu Vatuvei who dived over in the corner.
But a dashing Ty Williams successfully chased his own kick down the right touch line and Thurston converted from out wide to extend North Queensland's lead to 26-4.
New Zealand scored a consolation try on full-time courtesy of a bulldozing George Tuakura, with Tony Martin adding the extras.
NORTH QUEENSLAND 26 (Paul Bowman 2, Matt Bowen, Ty Williams, Brett Firman tries; Johnathan Thurston 3 goals)
NEW ZEALAND 10 (Manu Vatuvei, George Tuakura tries; Tony Martin goal) at Barlow Park in Cairns.
Source: NEWS.com.au