Salt Rubbed Into The Wounds

32 - 12
Cowboys def. Tigers
Dairy Farmers Stadium 7/4/06

What a rematch! the score line says it all. I knew you would do it 'Boys.
Didn't I tell you that there would be some payback? Well there was payback and then some.

It was wet, it was humid and in front of 20,262 fans, the Cowboys won their fifth straight game in a row.

They shut down the Tiger's raids with brilliant defences and even though it took 26 minutes for the first try to be scored, by Rod Jensen, it turned into a scoring spree for the Cowboys and they went to half time with a 22-2 lead.

Coming back from the break, they mangaged in the last 20 minutes to score significately as they did in the first half, indicating just how well in form they are for season 2006.

Super Sub Rod Jensen's 2 tries were the highlight of the game, while Gavin Cooper made his maiden NRL try and Matty Sing made his 7th for the season.

Jonathon Thurston not only helped set up and score tires, but saved several with well timed cover defence, receiving the man of the match award.

The Points scored were as follows:
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys 32 (Rod Jensen 2, Jonathan Thurston, Gavin Cooper, Matt Sing tries, Jonathon Thurston 6 goals) d West's Tigers 12 (Benji Marshall, Isaac De Gois tries, Brett Hodgson 2 goals)

Some Pay Back Time

Now, everyone is saying that the game on Friday night is going to be the biggest re-match in Rugby League History, with our boys as the favourites.

I reckon they're right. Our 'Boy's are in very fine form and the start of this season, being outright leaders on the ladder after their win last and I think that they will be on fire tonight, hoping to get back a bit of what they should have gotten in last year's grand final. They weren't quite ready for it last year, but this year, the 'Boys will bring home the big golden footy with pointy things on it, (it looks really nasty, have you seen it?) to put in they're display cabinet.

Down to the business end of things,
This week sees Paul Bowman back from injury in his usual spot of left centre, while Aaron Payne will still be watching from the sidelines for another week from an injury to his shoulder sustained in round two against the Sea Eagles. It still remains to be seen whether Josh Hannay or Ashley Graham wil be on the right side of the paddock.

There are still questions also, as to who will be the interchange for David Faiumu in the hooker position. Faiumu did really well starting at nine last week so he'll be there again, but as to who will be the other four, remains to be seen.

Brett Firman spent time training in the dummy half yesterday, but Murray said he would also consider the experience of utility players Justin Smith or Rod Jensen for the job when a final decision is made on the line-up.

"We've used Firmo and I'm not against using Rod Jensen or Justin Smith there, they're both pretty good at the dummy half role," Murray said.

"They're not Aaron Payne but they handle it well and that is probably something that we need, someone who is not only experienced but also confident about their job."

Players have played down the much hyped "Revenge" for the defeat against the Tigers in last year's grand final where our 'Boys went down 30-16, and this being their first game together since then.

Murray said there was no such thing as getting 'even' in the NRL.

"It is a rematch isn't it because it is the first time we have played each other since the grand final, so you can't get away from that word," he said.

"But the word you do get away from is revenge because you don't get even in this competition, you just play the teams that are put up against you and do your best.

"We're in pretty good form but so are they from last week so it should be a good game."

Good Luck tonight 'Boys, I'll be right behind you all cheering you to a valiant victory.

Cowboys Contraversial Win Over Eels

The 'Boys had a fantastic win over the Eels on Friday night, equalling their biggest winning streak of 4, and it started to look a bit dodgy before the break. After 34 minutes from the start of the game, the Eels had it over our boys 14-0. That is until just before the break, prop Matt Scott snuck in a pearler and gave the 'Boys a 1/2 time score of 14-6. Minutes after the break David Faiumu slipped one just over the cross bar, giving the 'Boys some added confidence to keep going.

In past years, when they would have a bad start, they would lose heart, but not anymore. The 'Boys have shown us that they are not the team of old and coming second in last years grand final has given them the much needed confidence boost, they needed to show them that they really can do it.

Mark Riddell made a controversial no try and with an Eels player roughing up one of our boys, there was a bit of a kafuffle and Chad Robinson - Eels - was sent to the sin bin, with Justin Smith - Cowboys - following soon after for an over-reaction.

Matty Sing upped his record to 152 tries, when he made a double on the night. There were injuries to the Eels, but were only minor. Paul Bowman and Aaron Payne will be back next Friday night at home with the 'Boys, to play their nemesis from last years Grand Final.

The points scored for NQ Toyota Cowboys were...
26Matt Sing 2, David Faiumu, Matt Scott 1 tries, Johnathon Thurston 5 goals.

And for those who care.....
Parramatta 18 Wade McKinnon 2, Eric Grothe 1 tries, Mark Riddell 2, Brett Delaney 1 goals.