Match Details
Match Date	26th Jun, 2004
Opponent	North Queensland
Result	Win 32-18
Coach	Steven Folkes
Captain	Steve Price
Venue	Townsville (Dairy Farmers Stadium)
Crowd	20,207
Referee	Shayne Hayne

The Bulldogs kept their unbeaten record in Townsville intact with a 32-18 triumph over North Queensland in the National Rugby League's round 16 on Saturday.

The result spoiled the Cowboys' 10th birthday celebrations and ended their three-match winning streak.

Coach Graham Murray will be disappointed with the way his side allowed the Bulldogs back into the match in front of a vocal crowd of 20,207.

They had gone into the half-time break 16-12 and with plenty of momentum after scoring two late tries.

The Cowboys could not be accused of a lack of effort in the second stanza though, and this was perhaps best epitomised by a stunning try-saving tackle from Matt Sing.

Bulldogs centre Willie Tonga had the ball stripped from his grasp by Sing when a try seemed certain. Sing was one of the Cowboys' best, also crossing for two tries.

But it was simply the class of the Bulldogs that shone through in the end and the result moves them into second spot on the ladder, if only temporarily.

Bulldogs and New South Wales second-rower Andrew Ryan admitted the match was a tough encounter.

"They played well, we probably got away with it in the last 20 [minutes] but they pushed us all the way," he said.

"They've got a lot of quality players, we knew we had to be on our game and we made a bit of a pact that we'd come out and try and work hard in defence in the second half and hopefully the rest came."

North Queensland got the jump on the visitors when Sing scored in the corner after 12 minutes on the back of three consecutive penalties.

The Bulldogs hit the front five minutes later when lock Tony Grimaldi grabbed a four-pointer following a break from inspirational skipper Steve Price.

Hazem El Masri converted and then added two more points for a penalty against Hannay for stripping the ball, making it 8-4.

The Bulldogs scored their second try through Ben Harris after a high bomb hoisted by Braith Anasta, but a similar tactic backfired badly only moments later.

Cowboys full-back Matt Bowen caught the ball on the run and beat a defence that was in attacking mode to streak 90 metres to score.

Hannay converted and then added a penalty with two minutes left to draw the home side level.

They were in front with 40 seconds left when a chip and chase was gathered by five-eighth David Myles, who did well to hold the ball up before it found its way to Sing for another four-pointer in the corner.

El Masri levelled the scores with a try early in the second half but Hannay pushed the home side in front again with a penalty awarded against Price for a high shot.

Sing's miraculous efforts kept the Bulldogs at bay but they would not be denied in the following set with Ryan giving them a lead they did not relinquish.

It came with the Cowboys a man down after half-back Chris Sheppard left the field with an ankle injury which kept him from taking any further part in the match.

Further tries to winger Jamaal Lolesi and bullocking prop Willie Mason made sure of it for the Bulldogs, who take on Manly at Brookvale Oval next Sunday.

Source: www.abc.net.au

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