Kahu brings the heat as Broncos buck Cowboys

The Brisbane Broncos have produced a first half try blitz to convincingly beat the North Queensland Cowboys 44-22 in front of a healthy crowd of 40,047.

It didn't take long for the Broncos to find their groove, with Ben Hunt crossing in just the sixth minute. The diminutive half shrugged off James Tamou and Lachlan Coote from close range on his way to the line.

Brisbane then doubled their advantage in the 12th minute as Josh McGuire barnstormed through another poor attempt of a tackle from Tamou. Paul Green would have regretted his decision to start the NSW enforcer as he was named to come off the bench.

It hardly improved for the away side as they produced sloppy errors but new five-eight Michael Morgan got them on the board in the 17th minute after some quick hands from Johnathon Thurston and Coote.

The game then slipped into an arm-wrestle and the Cowboys were given the upper hand, as McGuire was ruled out for the rest of the game with concussion.

Yet somehow it was the Broncos who ramped it up to score four tries in 12 minutes to all but put the match to bed.

First Maranta crossed in the corner after 27 minutes thanks to a dazzling no look catch and pass from Jordan Kahu. His pass will be in the end of season highlight reel without a doubt.

Five minutes later Anthony Milford put Alex Glenn through an enormous hole and the second rower gifted the ball off to Corey Parker to touch down under the sticks.

It was déjà vu in the 37th minute as Kahu produced another brilliant catch and pass to send Maranta over for his second. Finally Andrew McCullough finished off a long-range team effort to put his side up 32-6 at the break as the North Queensland defence fell to pieces. Credit to Milford and Hunt for creating the opportunity when they could have easily pumped the ball into touch and headed to the sheds.

Paul Green's halftime speech must have still been in the ears of his charges as Kyle Feldt scored just two minutes into the second half. Coote knocked back a towering Thurston bomb before Gavin Cooper played tunnel ball to help Feldt on his way to the corner.

It didn't take long for the hosts to hit back through Justin Hodges and then increase their lead seven minutes later when Kahu busted through more poor defence for a well deserved try.

The game then grew increasingly sloppy as the humidity began to affect both teams. The Cowboys were able to manage two late consolation tries through Feldt and O'Neill but the damage had been done, with the Broncos running out big winners 44-22.

Next Sunday the Broncos will look for their third win in a row when they travel to New Zealand to tackle the Warriors. While it doesn't get any easier for the Cowboys as they host the Storm in Monday night football.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Jordan Kahu
2 points - Anthony Milford
1 point - Lachlan Coote

BRISBANE BRONCOS (44)
Tries: Ben Hunt, Corey Parker, Josh McGuire, Lachlan Maranta (2), Andrew McCullough, Justin Hodges, Jordan Kahu
Field Goals:
Conversions: Corey Parker (6/8)
Penalty Goals:

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (22)
Tries: Michael Morgan, Kyle Feldt (2), Justin O'Neill
Field Goals:
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (3/4)
Penalty Goals:

Good evening ladies and gentleman and welcome to our live coverage of the Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys. It should be a bumper crowd at Suncorp Stadium tonight for the Queensland derby. Can JT and his saddle club overcome a week in the headlines and get their first win of the season? Or will the Broncos produce the footy that their star studded line up are capable of. All will be revealed shortly!

Quite sticky in Brisbane tonight, ball handling will be paramount for both sides early.

1: Brisbane get us underway! Late change for the Cowboys with Moga coming in for Matthew Wright

1: Lachlan Coote kicks it dead with his first kick back in the NRL, only up from there!

4: Tamou also into the run on side for the Cowboys for Ben Hannant. Tamou looking strong early

4: Going upstairs for a potential Taumololo try! possible obstruction from Gavin Cooper

4: The video ref correctly denies the try for obstruction.

5: Broncos get first penalty of the game after laziness in the ruck from the Cowboys

6: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Ben Hunt. Kick to come.
Ben Hunt smashes through multiple Cowboys defenders to cross over. Great strength from the little halfback to get away from Tamou and Coote

7: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
The veteran makes no mistake from 5 metres to the left of the uprights.

9: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Justin Hodges makes an unforced error.
Huge let off for the Cowboys as Hodges puts it down when Brisbane were making easy metres up the field

9: Broncos aiming up in defence, pushing Ethan Lowe back 10 metres.

10: Late inclusion Tautau Moga might have a try for the Cowboys after latching onto a Thurston kick, video ref checking grounding.

10: The men upstairs turn it down with Corey Oates' hand under the ball

11: Brisbane in great field position after a Cowboys error.

12: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Josh McGuire. Kick to come.
It was all too easy for the big front rower as he brushes off some poor defence from James Tamou…again. Coach Green may get his hook out.

13: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Parker knocks it over from in front and it's 12-0 to Brisbane.

14: Bennett will be happy as his side complete their proceeding set of six and get a good kick away through Hunt.

15: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Jordan Kahu makes an unforced error.
The young fullback looses it as he goes to play the ball two metres from his own try line. The cowboys get another sniff!

17: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Michael Morgan. Kick to come.
New five-eight Michael Morgan crosses after a slick back line play from North Queensland, game on!

18: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston has no trouble 10 metres in from touch and makes it a six point ball game.

19: Jordan Kahu takes a screamer at the back for the Broncos after the Cowboys made an easy 65 metres in their set of six

19: Hodges looks lively out of dummy half as usual

20: Jack Reed gives away a silly penalty for stripping the ball

21: The cowboys nearly made them pay dearly but O'Neill gets pushed into touch. Slick hands from Morgan and Moga set up the chance.

23: Brisbane not making as many metres at the moment, Cowboys beginning to get on top.

23: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Ben Hannant makes an unforced error.
As I say that the big man puts it down

24: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Ben Hunt makes an unforced error.
Thurston jams his opposite number and produces an error

26: Maranta goes 90 metres but Morgan runs him down! great effort from the Cowboys play maker

27: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Lachlan Maranta. Kick to come.
The young winger crosses in the corner after a brilliant catch and pass from Kahu. Unbelievable!

28: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker unsuccessful.
The lock forward misses from the sideline but his side is 16-6 up.

29: Brisbane get a good kick away through hunt and will make the Cowboys work it away from their own 20.

31: Josh McGuire has been ruled out for the rest of the game with concussion.

32: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Corey Parker. Kick to come.
Milford sends Alex Glenn through a massive hole and offloads to Corey Parker while being tackled by Coote. Great team try.

33: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
The Origin forward converts his own meat pie and it's 22-6 to the Broncos.

34: OH NO! Lachalan Coote stays down after a tackle, looks like it might have been a head knock.

36: Moga produces a HUGE hit on Milford as the little man looked set for a line break

37: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Lachlan Maranta. Kick to come.
Kahu produces another dazzling catch and pass to send Maranta over for his second. Gillett created the chance after a handy offload.

38: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker unsuccessful.
Parker shanks his kick badly from the sideline but his side have a big lead heading into the break

39: Hunt puts his side straight on the front foot again with a great kick chase.

39: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Andrew McCullough. Kick to come.
The hooker finishes up a great team try with great passing from Parker, Hunt and Milford. Reed tore away and set up the try scoring position. Cowboys defence is shot.

39: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Parker send it over from in front again and it's 32-6 at halftime.

40: Kyle Feldt gets us back underway!

42: Video ref for a Cowboys try again! Feldt crosses in the corner after a Thurston bomb was caught and thrown back by Coote, Gavin Cooper than threw the steeden between his legs and the Cows may be back in the game!

42: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Kyle Feldt. Kick to come.
They've given them the green light! suspicions over Cootes handling over the ball but its irrelevant now!

43: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston throws it between the sticks and we have a 20 point ball game.

46: The Cowboys are throwing it around in attack as they realise it's their only option, good footy!

47: Hannant gives away a stupid penalty for lying in the ruck and lets the Broncos off the hook.

49: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Justin Hodges. Kick to come.
The veteran centre crosses after catching a bouncing pass from Hunt and stepping in the same motion…. Talk about winding back the clock!

49: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Parker puts it over the black dot 10 metres from touch and its back to a 26 point deficit.

52: Milford looking slightly more comfortable at five eight. Throwing some nice balls to Glenn and Reed.

52: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Jack Reed makes an unforced error.
The pommy centre drops his lollies when the Broncs were in good position.

54: Coote bravely gathers a Milford grubber as Broncos streamed through on to him

55: Justin O'Neill going for a concussion check after picking up a knock in the tackle.

56: Coote betters his effort from before as he bravely takes a huge Milford bomb when Reed was breathing down his knock

57: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Jordan Kahu. Kick to come.
The fullback grabs a thoroughly deserved try. Nothing on really as he brushes of an ordinary attempt of a tackle

58: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker successful.
Corey is racking up some practice tonight. He puts it through and the score is now 44-12.

60: Kahu makes a try saving tackle on a rampaging Ethan Lowe

61: Gavin Cooper brings up his dinner on national TV after Oates rattled him

63: Moga has been watching Coote closely as he takes a good high ball under pressure as well

65: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Justin O'Neill makes an unforced error.
The winger continues his average year under the high ball as he puts it down and it goes into touch. Not to much pressure on him either.

66: The Broncos aren't able to convert the good field position against a defensive line that looks ragged.

68: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Kyle Feldt. Kick to come.
The winger goes 90 metres after intercepting a Broncos dropped ball. Great effort in this heat.

69: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
JT puts it over but it's all elementary...

70: UNFORCED ERROR BRISBANE BRONCOS
Lachlan Maranta makes an unforced error.
Maranta drops it after being jammed by Scott

71: Great crowd: 40,047

72: Enter the final 10 minutes of the game and I daresay both teams will be happy with that…. testing conditions

73: Adam Blair head butts Matthew Scott's shoulder as the prop gets put on report.

74: Blair throws a tunnel ball but nothing comes of it. The humidity is getting to their heads

76: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Michael Morgan makes an unforced error.
Morgan puts down a terrible pass from Thurston and the Cowboys are ready to board the plane.

78: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Justin O'Neill. Kick to come.
The winger grabs a consolation try in the corner

79: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
The black eyed halfback misses from the touchline.

80: That's all she wrote folks! Brisbane win 44-22 in testing conditions. Stay tuned for our match report! Thanks for joining our rolling coverage, goodnight!