Broncos get
home over gallant Cowboys

The Brisbane Broncos have held off a gallant charge from the North Queensland Cowboys to come away 19-12 winners at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight.

It took a Darren Lockyer field goal in the 78th minute to finally put away the Cowboys. Only minutes earlier, Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen came within a whisker of scoring as the North Queenslanders were a chance of posting their first victory over the Broncos.

The warning bells were going out early for the Cowboys when the Broncos scored two tries in the opening eight minutes and raced away to a 12-0 lead. But the Cowboys were able to re-group and trade tries with the visitors. At half time the Broncos were in front 16-4.

Following a controversial penalty in the 68th minute, the Broncos went further ahead to 18-4 and were looking safe.

But a try to Cowboys forward Kevin Campion gave the locals some hope and following a penalty goal, they found themselves only a converted try away.

Then came the Matt Bowen 'no-try' when he hit the line at pace and looked certain to score, only to be held up over the line by some tremendous defence from winger Craig Frawley.

The victory it seems may have come at a cost for the Broncos with front rower Petero Civoniceva being forced from the field with a potentially serious knee injury.

COWBOYS 12 Tries: Morrison, Campion Goals: Hannay 2/3 defeated by BRONCOS 19 Tries: Tate, Tallis, Berrigan Goals: De Vere 3/4 Field goal: Lockyer

By the clock: 0 min: Great conditions in Townsville. Kickoff!

3 min: TRY - Broncos. Brent Tate scores out wide after broken play sees Toni Carroll into space. The ball is knocked out by Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen but Carroll isnt ruled to have knocked-on and Tate is on hand to score. Michael De Vere conversion. Broncos 6-0

8 min: TRY - Broncos. Gorden Tallis bursts onto the ball to score 10m in from touch. Conversion De Vere. Broncos 12-0

18 min: TRY - Cowboys. Glenn Morrison forces his way over the Cowboys are back in the contest. Conversion Josh Hannay 10m to right of uprights is unsuccesful. Broncos 12-4

27 min: NO TRY - Shaun Berrigan has ball knocked out by Paul Bowman to deny the Broncos a try. Great effort from Bowman who saves the day but the Brisbane side are playing all over the locals.

33 min: NEWS - Cowboys coming back into contention and Morrison appears to have got over the line but is told to play-the-ball. In the next play, the Cowboys have an overlap but Broncos halfback Brett Seymour saves the day with an intercept.

35 min: TRY - Broncos. Shaun Berrigan scores after the Broncos work it downfield and the Cowboys open up. Conversion De Vere misses. Broncos 16-4

HALF TIME: An interesting first half which sees the Broncos in control and looking like they'll go on with it. But the Cowboys are not out of it with some enterprising play at times. The Broncos enjoying 55% possession.

Second half underway...

55 min: NEWS - Petero Civoniceva (Broncos) assisted from the field with what looks like a knee injury and unlikely to take any further part.

57 min: PENALTY GOAL - Broncos. Follows dodgy penalty when Shaun Berrigan loses ball cold and gets a penalty. Crowd is giving the ref a gob full. De Vere successful. Broncos 18-4

61 min: NO TRY - Craig Frawley for the Broncos is denied after he has been held up by Matt Sing.

62 min: TRY - Cowboys. Kevin Campion scores next to posts. Follows solid tackle on Frawley which sees the ball jolted loose. Video ref says 'Refs Call' and its a try! Conversion Hannay. Broncos 18-10

68 min: PENALTY GOAL - Cowboys. The locals bow putting the Broncos under the hammer and getting repeats sets. Darren Lockyer then kicks out on the full from a line drop out! A penalty to Cowboys right in front and Hannay kicks the goal. Broncos 18-12

73 min: NO TRY - Cowboys denied when Matt Bowen is held up over the line by Frawley when it looked like a try was a certainty. Fantastic football in attack and defence.

78 min: FIELD GOAL - Broncos. Lockyer puts the Broncos out of range of the Cowboys. Broncos 19-12

FULL TIME: A fantastic exhibition of footy from both sides. The Broncos getting the money against a gallant Cowboys side.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - D Lockyer (Broncos) 2 - G Morrison (Cowboys) 1 - M Bowen (Cowboys) -----------------------------------------