Cowboys crush woeful Rabbits in
Townsville

The North Queensland Cowboys have annihilated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 60-8 at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight.

Recording the biggest win the club's history, the Cowboys posted 14 points in the first 13 minutes and then went on with it, going into the half time break with an unbeatable 30-0 lead.

Souths' problems were compounded when centre Lee Hookey fell awkwardly in a tackle and had to be assisted from the field after 15 minutes. The injuries continued with Ashley Harrison limping off just before half time. Soon after, Mark Meredith required attention before Luke Stuart was forced off - the Rabbitohs' bench resembling a hospital ward.

Meredith made a return mid-way through the second half to score Souths' first four-pointer but the Cowboys replied with three more blistering tries.

With both teams playing for pride, the Cowboys scored 10 tries to two with fullback Matt Bowen posting a hat-trick. Centre Josh Hannay recorded a new club record with 10 match goals as well as a try for a personal tally of 24 points - also a new club record.

COWBOYS 60 Tries: Bowen 3, Sing, Muckert, Myles, Rauhihi, Williams, Payne, Hannay Goals: Hannay 10/12 defeated RABBITOHS 8 Tries: Meredith, Merritt Goals: Merritt 0/2

Saturday 23 August 2003 7:30 PM Dairy Farmers Stadium Referee: Jason Robinson Video Referee: Mick Stone

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M Bowen (Cowboys) 2 - P Rauhihi (Cowboys) 1 - J Hannay (Cowboys)

By the clock: 0 min: Kickoff!

3 min: PENALTY GOAL - Cowboys. Josh Hannay successful. Cowboys 2-0

6 min: TRY - Cowboys. Matt Sing scores as Cowboys are getting almost all the ball. Conversion Hannay successful. Cowboys 8-0

12 min: TRY - Cowboys. Chris Muckert scores. Cowboys enjoying 70% possession and have a perfect 8/8 completion rate. Conversion Hannay is successful. Cowboys 14-0

21 min: TRY - Cowboys. David Myles scores. Conversion Hannay successful. Cowboys 20-0

26 min: TRY - Cowboys. Paul Rauhihi scores and Souths are being annihilated. Conversion Hannay unsuccessful. Cowboys 24-0

31 min: NEWS - Glenn Morrison (Cowboys) sin binned.

32 min: PENALTY GOAL - Cowboys. Josh Hannay successful. Cowboys 26-0

34 min: TRY - Cowboys. Matthew Bowen scores and the Cowboys with 12 men, go further ahead. Conversion Hannay unsuccessful. Cowboys 30-0

HALF TIME: The scoreline tells the tale. Cowboys are carving up the Rabbitohs and after 40 minutes, are enjoying 67% of the ball Completions: Cowboys 19/22; Rabbitohs 7/13 Handling errors: Cowboys 3; Rabbitohs 6 Hit ups: Cowboys 100; Rabbitohs 43 Tackles: Cowboys 87; Rabbitohs 156 Missed Tackles: Cowboys 1; Rabbitohs 19 Score: Cowboys 30-0

Second half underway...

49 min: TRY - Cowboys. Ty Williams scores. Conversion Hannay to successful. Cowboys 36-0

52 min: TRY - Cowboys. Aaron Payne scores in the next set after the re-start. Conversion Hannay. Cowboys 42-0

57 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Mark Meredith scores and Souths are finally on the board. Conversion attempt unsuccessful. Cowboys 42-4

60 min: TRY - Cowboys. Josh Hannay scores and converts. Cowboys 48-4

65 min: TRY - Cowboys. Matthew Bowen gets a double. Hannay converts. Cowboys 54-4

67 min: TRY - Cowboys. Bowen gets a hat trick in the next set. Hannay conversion is successful. Cowboys 60-4

76 min: TRY - Rabbitohs. Nathan Merritt scores a consolation try for the vistors. Conversion unsuccessful. Cowboys 60-8

FULL TIME: Cowboys thrash the Rabbitohs. Stats: Possession: Cowboys 59% Completions: Cowboys 29/40; Rabbitohs 17/31 Handling errors: Cowboys 15; Rabbitohs 14 Hit ups: Cowboys 168; Rabbitohs 117 Tackles: Cowboys 201; Rabbitohs 254 Missed Tackles: Cowboys 8; Rabbitohs 35 Score: Cowboys 60-8