Morgan magic makes it 6 straight for Cowboys

Michael Morgan played a starring role in leading the North Queensland Cowboys to their sixth straight win of the season over a resilient Bulldogs side at 1300 Smiles Stadium.

Cowboys five-eight Morgan was simply outstanding and sealed the win for the Cowboys after racing 70 metres to score with only 6 minutes on the clock. Morgan was outstanding in attack and defence and looked dangerous every time he touched the ball.

The Bulldogs looked to have control of the game after current NRL top tryscorer, Curtis Rona snatched an intercept off former Cowboy teammate Jonathan Thurston to race 90 metres to score, but was pushed to the corner by Morgan which proved crucial as NSW halfback Trent Hodkinson missed the conversion.

Down 12-0 at halftime, Canterbury came out firing after halftime as coach Des Hasler layed down the law in an animated halftime address to his troops.

This seemed to have an effect on the Bulldogs as Josh Jackson crashed over for a try in the 50th minute after a crucial Lachlan Coote error handed them key field possession. The try was somewhat controversial with a hint of a double movement but the video referee found no evidence to overturn the on-field decision.

This kick-started the Dogs into action, when minutes later winger Corey Thompson made a spectacular put down to lock up the scores within 12 minutes.

After Curtis Rona ran length of the field, Canterbury looked to be suddenly in control until a crucial error by Moses Mbye, who was one of Canterbury's best gave the Cowboys their opportunity.

Despite the Bulldogs excellent defence, the Cowboys took full advantage after Lachlan Coote went to the blindside finding Gavin Cooper who crashed over in the corner. Jonathan Thurston couldn't convert, leaving the scores locked up at 16 all.

On the second play from the restart, Micheal Morgan sliced through and raced 70 metres to put the Cowboys in front. The try went upstairs, as Josh Morris was thought to be pulled back by Ethan Lowe, but the video referee ruled that Morgan had already broke the line and that Morris was not going to make the tackle.

Johnathan Thurston took a successful shot at field goal minutes later to put the result out of reach for the Canterbury side.

The game was an arm wrestle in the first half with both forward packs testing each other out and there were minimal mistakes until a crucial Tim Browne error gifted the Cowboys with an opportunity which saw Michael Morgan scoot across field and score in the corner for the first try of the match.

The Bulldogs then gave a penalty away deep into the tackle count before the break, which led to Matthew Wright scooping up a loose pass from Michael Morgan to crash over in the corner. Thurston nailed the kick from the sideline again to make it 12-0.

North Queensland were in control of the first half but allowed Canterbury the opportunity to almost steal the game and were very fortunate that Morgan's brilliance was able to get them home for a sixth straight win. The Bulldogs were a very much improved side from their last outing against the Tigers but will be bitterly disappointed with the simple errors and lazy penalties given away at crucial times which in the end cost them the game.

Next week the Cowboys host a blockbuster against the Broncos, while the Bulldogs head home for an Origin halves showdown with the Roosters. Both games will feature on Friday night football.

Match Details

North Queensland Cowboys 23 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 16
Venue: 1300SMILES Stadium
Crowd: 15794
Halftime Score: North Queensland Cowboys 12 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 0

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (23)
Tries: Michael Morgan (2), Matthew Wright, Gavin Cooper
Field Goals: Johnathan Thurston (1/1)
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (3/4)

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (16)
Tries: Josh Jackson, Corey Thompson, Curtis Rona
Conversions: Trent Hodkinson (2/3)

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Michael Morgan
2 points - Lachlan Coote
1 point - Josh Jackson

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

KICK OFF in just a few minutes at 1300SMILES Stadium in the clash between the Cowboys and Bulldogs.

Welcome to the last game of our Super Saturday coverage and what a match this promises to be! The Cowboys host the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs from 1300 Smiles Stadium.

North Queensland are on a red hot winning streak and are current equal competition favourites. Captain Jonathan Thurston has been unstoppable heading into the Origin period and he will be looking to keep the momentum rolling against his former club.

The Cowboys are 1-13 with a late change to the bench which sees Ben Spina replacing Ray Thompson.

Canterbury have been decimated by injuries in recent weeks however welcome back NSW centre Josh Morris and Australian prop and NSW hopeful David Klemmer who starts his first game for the club.

Greg Eastwood is out and replaced in the starting side by Sam Kasiano, with Antonio Kaufusi coming onto the bench.

Not long until kickoff, a healthy crowd in Townsville and conditions should see an open game of football.

1: We are underway in Townsville!

1: Early pressure from the Cowboys sees Chase Stanley defuse a swirling bomb.

3: Cowboys again on the attack and again the cross field bomb is defused by Canterbury.

3: Moses Mbye slices through and is brought down 30m out from the line. Dogs on the attack!

5: Penalty Canterbury - Cowboys holding down too long. Dogs in good field position.

7: Not a great attacking set from Canterbury. Coote cleans up a grubber.

9: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Aiden Tolman makes an unforced error.
Tolman offloads straight to Gavin Cooper.

9: Great kick from Thurston. Cowboys trap Corey Thompson for a line dropout.

11: Penalty Cowboys - Jackson holds on too long. Cowboys kick for the line and on the attack.

12: Cowboys again bomb Corey Thompson, but he takes a terrific catch.

14: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Justin O'Neill makes an unforced error.
Forward pass by Justin O'Neil trying to put Matthew Wright away.

15: Jake Granville picks up a lucky deflection and scoots downfield. Cowboys on the attack.

17: No Try - Klemmer pulls off a superb tackle on Kane Linnett to hold him up over the line. 4th tackle Cowboys.They kick too long and Bulldogs re-start 20m out. Nil All at 1300 Smiles Stadium.

17: Josh Morris forces a goal line drop out, dragging Wright back. Great kick by Mbye, he has looked dangerous early.

21: A real arm wrestle so far. Both forward packs are hitting hard but few errors so far. Still 0-0.

23: Video ref rules No Try - Corey Thompson looked to have spilt the ball but ruled to have grounded the ball. Young Ben Spina denied his first NRL try.

24: Video Ref denies the Cowboys for a 3rd time. Michael Morgan ruled to have spilt the ball.

25: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Lachlan Coote makes an unforced error.
Lachlan Coote nicks a kick out of the clutches of Sam Perrett but throws it forward to Wright.

28: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Tim Browne makes an unforced error.
Loose carry from Browne gives the Cowboys a big chance and they are on the attack yet again.

29: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Michael Morgan. Kick to come.
Michael Morgan heads across field and shows and goes to score in the corner. Cowboys 4-0, kick to come.

30: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston nails it from the touchline. Cowboys 6 Bulldogs 0.

32: Lachlan Coote knocks back a terrific spiral bomb from Trent Hodkinson. Cowboys ball.

33: A huge hit from Chase Stanley on Lachlan Coote...he will need a minute to look for his kidneys...

34: Coote bounces back by taking a terrific catch with Josh Morris contesting.

35: Penalty Cowboys right near the posts. They take to tap.

37: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Matthew Wright. Kick to come.
North Queensland make the Bulldogs play. Thurston throws a pass which is scooped up by Matthew Wright. Cowboys 10-0. Kick to come.

38: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Nails it again. On fire. Cowboys 12 Bulldogs 0.

40: North Queensland lead the Bulldogs 12-0 at halftime. It's been an arm wrestle dominated up the middle. Two crucial penalties from Canterbury have been the difference with the Cowboys capitalising with two quick tries.
The defence from both sides has been impressive, however the Bulldogs discipline towards the back end of the half really let them down. Both Jonathan Thurston and Michael Morgan have looked dangerous for North Queensland, while for the Dogs Moses Mbye has been a constant threat in attack.
Feels like this game will really open up in the second half so should see some more flair. At halftime its North Queensland 12 Canterbury 0.

40: We are underway in the Second 40.

43: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Curtis Rona makes an unforced error.
Cross field bomb hits Rona on the shoulder. Cowboys scrum feed deep in their own half.

45: Bomb diffused again by Lachlan Coote who has been rock solid at the back tonight.

47: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Lachlan Coote makes an unforced error.
Coote takes on the defence down the sideline and is rolled into touch in a strong tackle from Josh Jackson and Hodkinson. Big chance for Canterbury.

50: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Josh Jackson. Kick to come.
Jackson crashes over. Video ref rules that he hasn't made a second movement, the crowd aren't happy. Ref ruled try, it's a try. Dogs back in it.

50: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
Hodkinson makes no mistake. Cowboys 12 Bulldogs 6.

52: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Gavin Cooper makes an unforced error.
Gavin Cooper spills the ball on halfway. Dogs on the attack.

52: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Corey Thompson. Kick to come.
Corey Thompson makes a terrific put down to score in the corner. Canterbury make it back to back tries, 12-10 kick to come.

55: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson successful.
Hodkinson sneaks it inside the lefthand upright. We are all locked up!

56: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Gavin Cooper makes an unforced error.
Gavin Cooper almosts chips to himself but spills it close to the line.

57: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Chase Stanley makes an unforced error.
Stanley spills it coming out from his own line, gifting the Cowboys a chance.

58: Pressure released by Curtis Rona, who takes a cross field kick, Dogs off the hook.

58: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Sam Kasiano makes an unforced error.
Kasiano makes a mistake and their is a scuffle with James Tamou.

61: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Curtis Rona. Kick to come.
Rona takes an intercept and goes 90 metres to score away from the post thanks to a good chase. 16-12 kick to come.

63: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Trent Hodkinson unsuccessful.
Hodkinson misses...will that prove crucial is the question. Bulldogs 16 Cowboys 12.

65: Thurston bombs the tryscorer Curtis Rona who takes it beautifully.

67: Cowboys gets six more and are on the attack.

68: UNFORCED ERROR NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Lachlan Coote makes an unforced error.
Scrap on the goal line. Ruled knock on by Bulldogs but then over ruled by the video ref. Right call but may prove crucial in the outcome.

70: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Moses Mbye makes an unforced error.
Mbye drops it cold. Horrible mistake, big chance Cowboys!

73: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Gavin Cooper. Kick to come.
Cooper crashes over in the corner after a superb ball from Lachlan Coote. We are locked up, kick to come.

74: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston unsuccessful.
Thurston misses for the first time tonight. 16 All! Game On!

75: TRY NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Scored by Michael Morgan. Kick to come.
Morgan splits them and goes 70m metres to score. Josh Morris looked to be held back but Morgan looked to be gone. 20-16 Cowboys.

75: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Conversion attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston makes no mistake.

76: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Chase Stanley makes an unforced error.
Kick doesn't go 10. Penalty Cowboys.

76: SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Field goal attempt by Johnathan Thurston successful.
Thurston chips it over for a 7 point lead.

78: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Tony Williams makes an unforced error.
Williams spills the ball and that will be it for Canterbury.

80: Fulltime at 1300 Smiles Stadium, a great finish from North Queensland sees them extend their winning streak to 6 games in a row. Cowboys 23 Bulldogs 16.