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North Queensland recorded their first NRL victory of the season with a 42-14 win over West Tigers in Townsville.
The Cowboys attack clicked into gear in the seven-tries-to-three performance with the new look backline combining well after Willie Tonga was ruled out midweek (knee) and Ash Graham forced from the field with a leg injury.
The Cowboys’ little men shone with Johnathan Thurston booting seven goals, Travis Burns, Aaron Payne bagging four-pointers while the kicking game and direction of Grant Rovelli proved invaluable.
The first home game of the season also sparked Matt Bowen, in just his third game back from last year’s knee surgery, crossing for a try and proving a constant threat to the Tigers defence.
It was an unhappy night for the Tigers as they struggled with handling in the hot and humid conditions, the visitors bombing two first half chances.
North Queensland put themselves in a strong position with three first-half tries to go to the break 18-8.
Aaron Payne was the catalyst for the first two tries, sending over Antonio Kaufusi in the 3rd minute and Carl Webb (17th) with precision passes from dummy half.
Bowen then went on to delight fans, crossing for his first try at home since returning from the long lay off.
The Tigers had two first-half tries, both off kicks, with Taniela Tuiaki crossing after Benji Marshall regathered his own kick while John Morris fielded a Farah grubber after a 60 metre break.
The Cowboys struck straight after the break, Travis Burns scooting over from hooker to make it 24-8 only to see the Tim Moltzen rein in the lead and Benji Marshall slotting his first conversion from three attempts.
But there was to be no further comeback from the Tigers with the Cowboys piling on the points through tries to Payne (61st), Ty Williams (71st) and John Williams (77th) to consign the Tigers to their first loss of the season.
“We had a real good start to the game I was real happy with our forward pack for the first 15 minutes I thought they were very good,” Cowboys coach Neil Henry said.
“We completed our first five we got into the game which was good, the second half was very good for us I think we made the most of our opportunities.
“It is starting to come together … we will reassess it and train for next week it is a tough competition so you have to turn up every week.”
Inability to control the ball cost the Tigers any chance of victory.
“Without excuses we had a short turnaround and you complete 13 from 22 sets in the first half you know you are going to pay the price,” Tigers coach Tim Sheens said.
“You are going to struggle if you don’t have 50 per cent of the ball, it is a simple equation.”
Ash Graham is in doubt for next weekend’s clash with Melbourne after aggravating a groin injury which kept him sidelined for the opening round of the season.
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