Matthew Bowen in action against the Raiders. Source: Getty Images
- NORTH QUEENSLAND 30 bt CANBERRA 12 at 1300SMILES Stadium.
CLEARLY, the old dog still has a few tricks.
Playing for his future, Matt Bowen did his market value no harm at all with a slick display to kickstart the Cowboys' season with a 30-12 defeat of Canberra in Townsville.
It wasn't exactly vintage North Queensland. They aren't a premiership force yet, but the off-contract Bowen weaved sufficient magic to sink the Raiders and propel the Cowboys to their third win of the season.
The triumph gives the Cowboys a 3-4 win-loss record, keeping them in touch with the premiership pacesetters. They trailed 6-4 after eight minutes, but Bowen set up one try and scored another to do what he so often does - get the Cowboys home.
MATCH CENTRE: COWBOYS v RAIDERS
In the process, his own stocks may have risen enough to convince Cowboys medicos his battle-weary frame can survive another season of NRL in 2014.
The club needs no further evidence of his ability. They know he's a freak. His ageing body is a different matter. Two knee reconstructions. Shoulder surgery. Bowen has been through the wringer, but on tonight's evidence the 31-year-old may not quite be on his last legs.
Make no mistake, Bowen has played better games. But when the Cowboys needed touches of class, the former Maroons ace delivered. He set up Brent Tate in the third minute before pouncing on a pinpoint Johnathan Thurston grubber kick to help the Cowboys to a 16-6 half-time lead.
Bowen found an ally in back-rower Tariq Sims, who produced his best game of the season in a sign he has buried the demons from breaking his leg twice.
The NSW Origin hopeful motored like a Mack Truck and killed off the Green Machine with a 65th minute bust to put Michael Morgan over for a 22-6 lead.
The Raiders pulled a last-minute selection switch with strike winger Blake Ferguson called in at the expense of Sandor Earl.
The Cowboys made a late change of their own, Joel Riethmuller pitchforked into the starting side after veteran lock Dallas Johnson succumbed to a stomach virus.
Floundering in 11th spot, the Cowboys needed to find their mojo quickly and it took just three minutes to slip into a groove against the Raiders.
Attacking the visitors' line, the Cowboys spun the ball to Canberra's left-edge and Bowen handled superbly to give Tate a saloon passage to the line.
But within minutes Bowen went from hero to villain. He attempted a replica no-look quick ball, only to find rival Canberra winger Edrick Lee, who swooped on the risky pass and raced 30 metres to give the hosts a 6-4 lead.
Despite the deficit, North Queensland were having little trouble reaching the advantage line and it was no surprise when they reclaimed the lead inside 13 minutes.
This time Riethmuller did the damage: from close range he drifted across field and picked up a flying Glenn Hall, who ran a superb line and crashed over for a 10-6 advantage.
Three minutes later, it was only fitting Bowen should join the party.
In a virtual act of ESP, Thurston slotted a grubber kick behind the line and Bowen, taking off before the ball was kicked, won the race to give the Cowboys a handy 16-6 lead.
Underlining their early-season rust, the Cowboys struggled to nail Canberra's coffin shut in the second half. But they hung on to generate much-needed momentum, and give their quicksilver No.1 a shot of confidence in the process.
NORTH QUEENSLAND 30 (M Bowen A Graham G Hall M Morgan B Tate tries J Thurston 5 goals) bt CANBERRA 12 (E Lee J Wighton tries J Croker R Robinson goals) at 1300SMILES Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Alan Shortall. Crowd: 13,240.
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