Match Report - Round 2 2003
| Manly
blow Cowboys match March 22, 2003 North Queensland 30 Manly 20 MANLY
marked their season debut with a disappointing loss to
North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville. The Sydneysiders got off to a flying start when Scott Donald and Anthony Watmough both scored within 12 minutes, suggesting this could be another drubbing for the Cowboys after their 46-14 defeat last week. But Jaiman Lowe stepped up for North Queensland, putting the Cowboys ahead with two gutsy tries in the final seven minutes of the half. Manly opened the second with a try to Sam Murphy set up by captain Steve Menzies, but for the third time they failed to convert it. New Cowboys signing Paul McNicholas quickly replied to bring the score to 20-12, answered by another two unconverted tries from Manly. But talented young Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen fended off at least three defenders to set up a Matt Sing try which sealed a victory for the locals. The North Queenslanders seemed to have learned their lesson after last week, making fewer mistakes and showing improved ball control. Manly could have taken a leaf out of their book on errors; eight of the North Queenslanders' points were from penalty goals. The news was not all good for Cowboys coach Graham Murray, with valuable lock Glenn Morrison limping off the field. New North Queensland signing Paul Rauhihi also left the field in the first half with a knee injury and failed to return. AAP |
NORTH QUEENSLAND 30
(J Lowe 2 P McNicholas M Sing tries; J Hannay 7 goals) MANLY
20 Dairy Farmers Stadium. Referee: S Clark. TEAM: 1 Sam
MURPHY 14 Grant
WOODEN |
