Red 'V' take victory in a rollercoaster affair in Townsville

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North Queensland Cowboys v St George Illawarra Dragons

Townsville might not have a rollercoaster but it was definitely a rollercoaster ride for everyone watching as the St George Illawarra Dragons got their first victory for Anthony Griffin with a 25-18 victory over the Cowboys at QCB Stadium.

The Dragons started the game shakily with some very basic errors early on which gave the Cowboys a strong opportunity. The Cowboys put their first points of the season on the board in just the second minute of the game when Coen Hess was given a clean jump to the ball to score. Valentine Holmes converted to give the home side a 6-0 lead.

Errors came into both teams' games but the Dragons were able to hold on to the ball long enough as they sent Mikaele Ravalawa over in the corner to score. Zac Lomax from the sideline nailed the conversion perfectly to level the scores.

As the game continued on, the error rate didn't decrease for both sides but the Dragons were able to take advantage of the field position when Josh Kerr charged his way at the line and over the line to score. Another Lomax conversion this time from close range put the Dragons six ahead. A Corey Norman field goal on the stroke of half time gave the Red ‘V' a seven-point lead at the break.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten would be glad he doesn't have any hair left after some shocking play by his side during the second half especially in attack. The home side opened the scoring of the second half when Valentine Holmes was able to get his way over the line after chasing down his own kick after a miracle offload from Corey Jensen.

Despite getting the margin back to just a point, the Cowboys couldn't land the killer blow to get in front and it was the Dragons who were able to push the lead back to seven when Ben Hunt charged at the line had too much strength for a soft Cowboys defence.

The home side were able to hit back not long afterwards when Jake Granville was able to fight his way over the line to score. The Cowboys were back within a point after the conversion from Valentine Holmes.

Errors continued to bite in the contest and it was the Dragons who hit back next when Zac Lomax was able to outjump the Cowboys defenders to score and push the margin back out to seven following the conversion of his own try.

The Cowboys then started to win the field position battle but just like last week against the Panthers, there was a directionless attack and despite forcing three repeat sets, there was no real threat to the Dragons defence and ultimate the Red ‘V' held on for a 25-18 victory.

Next weekend, the Cowboys are back at home next Sunday night with a clash against the Titans whilst the Dragons play host to Manly at WIN Stadium on Friday night in the early game.