Craig Cauchi reviews the Dragons and Cowboys trip to Rockhampton. Here’s how the game went.
SCOREBOARD
Dragons 26
Tries: Zac Lomax (12), Mikaele Ravalawa (23, 67), Jayden Sullivan (27), Tyrell Sloan (39)
Goals: Zac Lomax (25, 40, 68)
Cowboys 38
Tries: Reece Robson (7), Kyle Feldt (30, 53), Ben Hampton (45), Tom Dearden (47), Heilum Luki (50), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (79)
Goals: Valentine Holmes (8, 46, 49, 52, 80)
Player of the Year Points
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Tom Dearden (Cowboys)
2 pts – Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons)
1 pt – Heilum Luki (Cowboys)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
The Cowboys dominated early with possession and raced away to a strong lead through a try to Reece Robson, taking advantage of tired middle defenders. Jordan McLean was strong in the opening period with Reece Robson looking likely to bust the Dragons line each set. But their defence was guilty of napping off, with some poor cover tackles allowing the Dragons youngsters to take advantage for Zac Lomax to score a nicely worked try. The errors from the Cowboys continued but for the most part they were able to hold the Dragons out until a late offload from Jack Bird gave them enough space for Mikaele Ravalawa to cross in the corner. Both teams traded tries with Jayden Sullivan crashing over from dummy half before the Cowboys returned serve with a try to Kyle Feldt on a last tackle kick. Both sides were desperate to stop the other side from scoring before half time with Mikaele Ravalawa coming up with two crunching tackles to stop Cowboys tries. Then it was Talatau Amone and Tyrell Sloan, in the final minute, combing with a kick to score the last try of the half.
HALF-TIME: St George Illawarra Dragons 20 North Queensland Cowboys 10
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
The Dragons were given the early opportunity to build pressure in attack but rather than going for a final play kick, their attempted shift was intercepted by Ben Hampton who ran the length of the field. It was one way traffic after this with the Cowboys scoring another three tries from the next three sets with two length of the field tries, the first to Tom Dearden and the second to Heilum Luki and the last to Kyle Feldt from a cross field kick in what was a devastating 10 minute period. The Cowboys continued to look damaging with the ball in hand but the Dragons managed to hold them out and were able to cross for Mikaele Ravalawa’s second to get themselves within 6 points. But that was as close as they would get with the Cowboys crossing in the dying stages to snap their 10 game losing streak.
FULL-TIME: St George Illawarra Dragons 26 North Queensland Cowboys 38
Injuries
to be advised
Match Review Committee
Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Josh McGuire (Dragons)
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