Boyd, Pangai battle hamstring injuries

THE Broncos’ premiership hopes have suffered a major scare after inspirational skipper Darius Boyd headlined a double- injury drama in last night’s costly 20- 10 defeat of the Cowboys in Townsville.

Brisbane’s joy at clinching a fast and furious Queensland derby was tempered by the sight of Boyd limping off in a worrying scenario that leaves him in grave doubt for the opening round of the finals.

The Broncos then copped a second blow, with boom forward Tevita Pangai Jr, who returned last week from a hamstring strain, suffering a suspected recurrence 10 minutes from time.

With hooker Andrew McCullough ( knee) and prop Korbin Sims ( broken arm) al- ready gone for the season, the Broncos can ill- afford to lose more troops as they look to snap the longest title drought in their history.

Amid the rough- and- tumble carnage of the code’s greatest duel, the Broncos were emphatically the better side.

The victory sealed Brisbane’s place in the top four, guaranteeing a second chance in the finals as they prepare for a likely away clash against the Roosters next Friday night.

The fired- up Broncos were coasting at 14- 6 when disaster struck seconds before the halftime siren.

Attempting to retrieve a clearing kick downfield, Boyd grabbed at his hamstring and fell to the turf. He hobbled to the sheds and failed to return after the break as the Broncos took every precaution. A win would have sewn up a top eight spot but the Cowboys now face an agonising two- or three- day wait to find out whether they’ll squeeze into the finals. Either a Penrith win over Manly at Lottoland tomorrow, or a Bulldogs upset over the Dragons on Sunday, would be enough for North Queensland to qualify for September. However if both those results don’t go their way, the season is over. The Cowboys have endured a host of injuries and their only win over the last six rounds was a come- from- behind win over the 15th- placed Tigers.