The North Queensland Cowboys have put themselves back into winning form with a highly impressive 20-6 victory over the Sydney Roosters in tough conditions at Suncorp Stadium.
Perfect weather had graced Brisbane for Magic Round for the first six games but that was it when the heavens opened with both torrential rain and hail for the beginning of the game.
The conditions looked more like playing out in a local farmers field with the cut up turf and surface water sitting on the ground. The opening forty minutes was a war of attrition for both sides just managing the conditions.
The Cowboys opened the scoring after twenty minutes as Reuben Cotter was put over after some good work from Reece Robson through a short ball to Coen Hess who turned the ball out the back to Cotter who scored. A missed field goal from Chad Townsend could have pushed the margin out to 7 but it remained 6-0 in the second half.
It was a defensive masterclass from the Cowboys in the second forty minutes as wave and wave of attack was thrown at them. The North Queenslanders added two quick tries not long after the resumption of play when a Chad Townsend grubber kick was lost by Nat Butcher and swooped on by Jack Gosiewski. It was a long review by the bunker after it was initially sent upstairs by Ashley Klein on a live decision of NO TRY but ultimately replays showed the Cowboys second rower grounded the ball first.
The Cowboys had luck on their side for their next try when a Chad Townsend bomb was left to bounce by Jaxson Paulo and an unintentional kick from Murray Taulagi saw the ball go into space and tiptoeing the sideline, Taulagi got the ball back to the middle for Townsend to finish what he started.
Despite leading 18-0, the Cowboys never looked entirely comfortable with the Roosters continually throwing everything in attack at them and the defence held solid for the North Queenslanders right throughout.
A penalty goal inside the final five minutes sealed the deal for the Cowboys after a high tackle saw Joey Manu put on report.
A consolation try inside the final minutes to Angus Crichton was the only blot on the copybook for the Cowboys defence on what was a strong defensive night.
Next week, things get tougher for the Roosters with a five-day turnaround coming up against the Panthers in Penrith next Friday night whilst the Cowboys head back up to Townsville for a clash with the Dragons.