Cowboys too strong for
Rabbitohs

Round 25
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 v North Queensland Cowboys 34
at Telstra Stadium
Referee: Tony De Las Heras

Match Summary:
The North Queensland Cowboys have comprehensively defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs today 34-12 at Telstra Stadium this afternoon.

The Cowboys started the match strongly with tries to Matty Bowen in the 5th minute and David Fauiumu in the 10th minute to give the visitors a 10-0 lead. The Cowboys extended that lead in the 20th when Aaron Payne intercepted and nearly went the length of the field and from the next tackle Luke O'Donnell scored next to the posts for a 16-0 lead.

The Rabbitohs got on the board in the 29th minute when Nathan Merritt scored next to the post after a nice pass from Trent Young. The Rabbitohs had a few opportunities late in the half to score but poor ball control would cost them and they trailed 16-6 at the break.

The Rabbitohs would continue to blow chances to get back into the match early in the second half with more poor ball control. The Cowboys picked up a penalty goal in the 54th minute to give them an 18-6 lead. The Cowboys would put the match out of reach with tries in the 56th, 67th & 71st minutes to give the visitors an unassailable 34-6 lead. The Rabbitohs would pick up a consolation try to Paul Mellor to round out a 34-12 fulltime score.

Scorers:
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 12
Tries: Nathan Merritt, Paul Mellor
Goals: Joe Williams 2/2
North Queensland Cowboys: 34
Tries: Matthew Bowen, David Fauiumu, Luke O'Donnell, Aaron Payne, Justin Smith(2)
Goals: Ashley Graham 5/7

By the Clock:
Welcome to Telstra Stadium in Sydney for todays clash between the Rabbitohs and Cowboys.

1 min: Rabbitoh's kick off to get the game underway

3 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Matty Bowen scoots out of dummy half to score his first try since round 6. Conversion successful
Cowboys 6-0

10 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Another soft try here as Fauiumu goes trough the defence to score. Rabbitoh's need to tighten up in this aspect. Conversion unsuccessful.
Cowboys 10-0

20 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Aaron Payne picks up the intercept and nearly runs the length of the field, from the next tackle the Cowboys spread the ball and Luke O'Donnell scores near the post. Conversion successful
Cowboys 16-0

29 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Trent Young slips a good ball to Nathan Merritt who scores next to the post. Conversion successful
Cowboys 16-6

40 min: VIDEO REF - possible Souths Try - It goes to Refs call and he calls held up. NO TRY

Halftime... The Rabbitohs are trying hard to get back into the match after a slow start and have had a few opportunities in the last 10 minutes of the half.
Stay tuned to see if they can come back or can the Cowboys hang on.

41 min: Cowboys kickoff to get the second half underway

49 min: NEWS The Rabbitohs making lots of opportunities but are unable to capitalise. The completion rate from both teams in the second half is very poor.

54 min: PENALTY GOAL North Queensland Cowboys
The Rabbitohs are penalised for a high tackle right in front of the posts. Ashley Graham slots the conversion
Cowboys 18-6

58 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys keep the ball alive and backup well for Justin Smith to score under the post. Conversion successful.
Cowboys 24-6

66 min: INJURY - Germaine Paulson leaves the field with an eye injury. From the next tackle Joe Galuvao leaves the field also, with a knee injury.

67 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Justin Smith picks up a double as he goes through some poor defence. Conversion unsuccessful.
Cowboys 28-6

71 min: TRY North Queensland Cowboys
Gavin Cooper takes a bomb on his own 25 metre line goes through some poor defence before linking up with Aaron Payne on the halfway and he races away to score the try. Conversion successful
Cowboys 34-6

74 min: VIDEO REF - Possible Rabbitohs try. NO TRY held up again for the Rabbitohs

76 min: TRY South Sydney Rabbitohs
Paul Mellor takes the cross field kick and busts through the defence to score out wide. Conversion successful from the sideline.
Cowboys 34-12

Fulltime..
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Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 - Aaron Payne
2 - Carl Webb
1 - Justin Smith
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