Dragons take the points in
Townsville

Round 22 North Queensland Cowboys 16 vs Saint George-Illawarra Dragons 36

Match summary:

The Dragons have strengthened their position in the top 4 with a convincing 36-16 win over the Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium. The Dragons led 22-6 at half time.

The Dragons got out to a dream start as Shaun Timmins scored off a Barrett grubber kick in the fourth minute. Dean Young scored from dummy half in the seventh minute and after 14 minutes led 18-0 with a try to Ben Creagh. Lance Thompson scored in the 27th minute to make the score 22-0, and have the Cowboys all but out of the game. Paul Bowman scored just before half time to keep the Cowboys still in with a chance at the break.

The Cowboys made it back to back tries with a great Thurston run getting Matt Bowen in, and the game was alive at 22-12. The Dragons pulled away, however, with Trent Barrett using his strength to score, before Micheal Ennis added a penalty goal to effectively finish the game at 30-12. Colin Best scored a try in the 66th minute to bang the score out to 36-12. Cowboys substitute Rod Jensen scored in the final minutes to make the final score 36-16 in favour of the Dragons.

The Dragons continue their hot streak, having won 4 in a row and they play Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium next week in what promises to be a great encounter. The Cowboys continue their up-and-down form and play the in form Tigers at Campbelltown next week.

Cowboys v Dragons match photos: Click here to see the photo gallery for this game

Scorers: NTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS 16 Tries: Bowman, Bowen, Jensen Goals: Hannay (2/3) ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 36 Tries: Timmins, Young, Creagh, Thompson, Barrett, Best Goals: Naiqama (3/4), Ennis (3/3)

Venue: Dairy Farmers Stadium Crowd: 21,021 Referee: Tim Mander Half Time: Dragons 22-6.

Live commentary: Both teams are in the Top 4, looking to consolidate thier spots there.

0 min: After the national anthem and a minute silence for the passing of Robert Stone Tim Mander blows time on at a full Dairy Farmers Stadium!

4 min: TRY - Dragons Barrett puts in a grubber which is deflected, allowing Timmins to score under the uprights. Naiqama converts. Dragons 6-0.

6 min: Dragons have all of the field position so far, Thurston kicks off on the full.

7 min: TRY - Dragons Dean Young scores from dummy half right under the posts. Naiqama converts. Great start Dragons. Dragons 12-0.

10 min: Dragons bomb a try, Hornby drops the ball right on the line.

12 min: The Cowboys show the game is all about possession. They get the ball and have a great set, but fail to get a kick away.

14 min: TRY - Dragons The Dragons get six more tackles and make use of them as Timmins puts Creagh over. Naiqama converts. Dream start for the Dragons. Dragons 18-0.

17 min: The Dragons have already completed 9/11 sets compared to 1/4 from the Cowboys.

20 min: NEWS - Luke Bailey is penalised for taking a chaser out. The Cowboys go on attack. They promptly pass the ball to the touch judge.

25 min: The Cowboys have the roll on at the moment, but can't penetrate the Dragons line.

27 min: TRY - Dragons The Dragons take advantage of a turnover and show some slick offloads to score a try through Lance Thompson. Naiqama misses the kick. 22-0 Dragons.

34 min: Matt Sing saves a try as Cooper goes straight through and somehow Sing pulls the ball away from an unmarked Hornby on the inside.

36 min: The Cowboys making way too many mistakes when they are on attack.

39 min: TRY - Cowboys A great ball puts Bowman into space, and he shows great moves to put the ball down under the posts. Hannay converts. 22-6 Dragons.

HALF TIME: The Dragons got out to a great start, but the Cowboys have fought and are still in the game at half time.

40 min: The second half kicks off.

41 min: TRY - Cowboys Thurston goes through a gap and gets the ball to Bowen who scores a try. Hannay converts. Dragons 22-12.

46 min: NO TRY - Dragons Bowen has the ball stripped off him while returning a kick and Bailey dives on it, but Ennis is ruled offside from the kick.

50 min: Greenshields puts in a great tackle on Carl Webb as a try looks imminent, forcing Webb to drop the ball.

52 min: Thurston breaks again but desperate Dragons defence knocks the ball out of his hands as he tries to throw the pass.

54 min: TRY - Dragons Trent Barrett forces his way across the line. Ennis converts. Dragons 28-12.

57 min: PENALTY GOAL - Dragons Barrett is taken high by O'Donnell. Ennis converts the penalty goal. Dragons 30-12.

63 min: CROWD - 21,021

66 min: TRY - Dragons Matt Sing makes a try saving tackle on Cooper, but the ball goes right and Colin Best improves the position for the kick. Ennis converts. Dragons 36-12.

73 min: Both teams running out the clock. Hornby passes the ball to Row B.

74 min: Bowen taken off the field. His groin is being iced up.

78 min: TRY - Cowboys Some good passing sees Jensen score a consolation try for the Cowboys in the corner. Hannay just misses the kick. Dragons 36-16.

FULL TIME: The Dragons have come up to Townsville and have convincingly taken the two points.

----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - L Bailey (Dragons) 2 - C Greenshields (Dragons) 1 - T Barrett (Dragons) -----------------------------------------