Rabbitohs rampage Cowboys

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have put together a powerful 80 minute performance during Monday Night Football in a 32-4 thumping of a woeful North Queensland Cowboys.

Not much went right for the Cowboys during the night who only scored their first try, a consolation effort, with just three minutes left on the clock. It was all South Sydney early with North Queensland failing to hold on to the ball. The backs ran riot early for the Rabbitohs, with Issac Luke's horrid night with the goalkicking boot (only converting one goal from six attempts) the only thing keeping the Cowboys in the game.

It continues a good run of form for South Sydney who stay on the top end of the ladder, meanwhile North Queensland only lead Melbourne on the bottom.

Match Details
South Sydney Rabbitohs 32 defeated North Queensland Cowboys 4
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 13 - Monday June 7, 2010 7:00pm
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Referee: Steve Lyons and Matt Cecchin
Video Referee: Phil Cooley
Touch Judges: Daniel Eastwood and David Munro
Crowd: 9688
Halftime: South Sydney Rabbitohs 16 North Queensland Cowboys 0

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Beau Champion (2 Tries)
2 Points - Rhys Wesser
1 Point - Nathan Merritt (2 Tries)

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (32)
Tries: Beau Champion (2), Nathan Merritt (2), Dave Taylor, Fetuli Talanoa, Issac Luke
Conversions: Issac Luke (1/6), Chris Sandow (1/1)

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (4)
Tries: Ashley Graham
Conversions: Johnathan Thurston (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Welcome to Monday Night Football. State Of Origin spots might be on the line, the last NRL match before both sides are selected. We'll keep you up to date with the latest Origin news in this live update, but for now sit back as the Rabbitohs fight the Cowboys in this Round 13 clash.
TOYOTA CUP - The Rabbitohs have come back from a 18-4 deficit mid-way through the first half to grab a closely fought win over the Cowboys 25-24. Rabbitoh Matthew Mundine kicked the winning field goal with just moments remaining. The two sides remain firmly planted at the top end of the ladder.
LATE CHANGES: North Queensland lose young five-eighth Michael Morgan, with Grant Rovelli starting in the number 24 jersey. Meanwhile number 12 Willie Mason will start from the bench, replacing number 16 Carl Webb who will start the match. The Rabbitohs go into the match 1-17.
We are just minutes away from kicking off.
Kick-Off!
6 min: Dropped ball from Bolton, giving the Rabbitohs some major field position here.
6 min: TRY
A set of passing to the side sees the Rabbitohs score opening points for the night. Good work from Colin Best, who drew in Matt Bowen to send Nathan Merritt over the line.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 4-0
10 min: Michael Bani spills it on the second, thanks to a big Ben Lowe tackle.
11 min: Errors from North Queensland coming thick and fast, South Sydney have a chance to score here.
13 min: TRY
Big David Taylor proving a monster for the North Queensland backliners there, going straight through Michael Bani and Ashley Graham to the tryline, giving his fellow statesmen a sneak peek for the second Origin.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 8-0
20 min: Well, a horrid first twenty for the Cowboys, who have barely completed a set. They'll need to hold on to the ball if they want any chance in this match.
20 min: As soon as I say it, David Taylor throws a massive forward pass. Cowboys then get a penalty. First time in the South Sydney half.
22 min: Video Referee - Possible Cowboys try
22 min: No Try. Knock on.
28 min: North Queensland have been starting to get a bit more possession in these last few minutes, will South Sydney's eight point lead be enough?
29 min: TRY
As soon as I say that, Rhys Wesser holds the ball and sends Beau Champion over the line. South Sydney looking good before the break. Luke misses his third conversion attempt of the evening.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12-0
35 min: Cowboys with a good chance here before the break. A converted try would see them right back in striking zone.
35 min: ...until they drop it.
35 min: South Sydney's Scott Geddes injured, looks like a knee problem.
38 min: TRY
Rabbitohs extend their lead once more before the break, with Beau Champion scoring his second try. Issac Luke misses his fourth kick, a bad night with the boot.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 16-0
40 min: That's half time, South Sydney scoring four tries, leading North Queensland 16-0 at the break.
40 min: NEW SOUTH WALES SQUAD: Trent Barrett (Sharks), Matt Cooper (Dragons), Ben Creagh (Dragons), Josh Dugan (Raiders), Michael Ennis (Bulldogs), Paul Gallen (Sharks), Kurt Gidley (Knights, captain), Jarryd Hayne (Eels), Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels), Jamal Idris (Bulldogs), Jason King (Sea Eagles), Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders), Luke Lewis (Panthers), Brett Morris (Dragons), Luke O'Donnell (Cowboys), Mitchell Pearce (Roosters), Beau Scott (Dragons), Timana Tahu (Eels), Trent Waterhouse (Panthers), Michael Weyman (Dragons), Brett White (Storm)
40 min: Second half underway.
46 min: TRY
Merritt grabs a double, the Rabbitohs dominance continues.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 22-0
50 min: Issac Luke comes within metres of scoring another South Sydney try.
51 min: Now Johnathan Thurston gives the Cowboys a half-chance.
54 min: Sam Burgess comes close before spilling it.
56 min: Now Best comes close, but is stopped by Matt Bowen. They'll get another shot.
62 min: TRY
Fetuli Talanoa extends the lead, Rhys Wesser helping that one go through.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-0
65 min: Bit of controversy there as Isaac Luke collects Johnathan Thurston with his elbow, with no penalty blown.
68 min: TRY
Nathan Merritt continues a blinder of a game, running infield and setting Issac Luke up for another South Sydney try. Following Luke's awful night with the boot, halfback Chris Sandow takes over the goalkicking.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-0
70 min: Will Tupou has half a chance near the line. Before passing to what could've been an easy try, Willie Tonga spills it at dummy-half.
76 min: TRY Northern Storm
Ashley Graham finally scores the first points for North Queensland, following some good work from Aaron Payne.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-4
80 min: That's full-time, South Sydney beating North Queensland 32-4.