- NORTH QUEENSLAND 30 bt CANBERRA 12 at 1300SMILES Stadium.
THE old dog obviously still has a few tricks.
Playing for his future, Matt Bowen did his market value no harm at all with a slick display to restart the Cowboys' season with a 30-12 defeat of Canberra in Townsville last night.
Returning from the knee injury that sidelined him against the Broncos a fortnight ago, the Hope Vale wizard produced his best game of the season.
It was not exactly vintage North Queensland. They are not a premiership force yet, but the off-contract Bowen weaved his magic to sink the Raiders and propel the Cowboys to their third win of the year.
MATCH CENTRE: COWBOYS v RAIDERS
The triumph gave 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 pouncing on a Johnathan Thurston grubber to do what he so often does - get the Cowboys home.
Matthew Bowen in action against the Raiders.
For good measure, he produced a superb first-half trysaver to halt a flying Joel Thompson, who looked certain to score.
His own stocks may have risen enough to convince Cowboys medicos his battle-weary frame can survive another season of NRL in 2014.
Ability is not the vexing issue. The Cowboys know he's a freak. His ageing body is a different matter. Two knee reconstructions and shoulder surgery, Bowen has been through the wringer. On last night's evidence the 31-year-old may still not quite be on his last legs.
"It was good to have him back," Cowboys coach Neil Henry said.
"Mango recovered from his knee injury and he was on that ball for the try, it was great to see him go under the posts.
"He was sharp with his carries and he got in front to make a few tackles with his goalline defence."
Ashley Graham celebrates his 100th NRL try. Picture: Wesley Monts
Thurston said Bowen's display was the confidence boost he needed after a slow start to the season.
"He's a big part of our team, no doubt," he said.
"When his confidence is high, we're playing well, he's building towards something special.
"It was a step in the right direction for him and we have to build on that."
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 Thurston grubber kick to help the Cowboys to a 16-6 half-time lead.
Cowboys' Scott Bolton and James Tamou tackle Canberra's Josh McCrone. Picture: Wesley Monts
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 ran strongly, highlighted by a 65th minute bust to put Michael Morgan over for a 22-6 lead.
When winger Ashley Graham crossed for his 100th career try two minutes from time, the Green Machine were toast.
Still, Henry wasn't doing cartwheels. He knows the Cowboys aren't playing to their optimum.
"It was a bit of a battle out there really," he said.
"We were going set for set, they are a difficult side to manage."
Raiders coach David Furner lamented the Bowen factor and his side's poor execution.
"Sixteen points start in the first-half summed it up," he said.
"It's one thing knowing what Bowen is going to do, it's another thing going out and stopping it."
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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