COWBOYS FIND SOME S TEEL TO REPE LRAIDERS’ ATTACK

NORTH Queensland produced its best defensive performance yet at Queensland Country Bank Stadium to beat the Raiders and snap a six-match losing streak at home.

The understrength Raiders were down to third-choice halfback Matt Frawley and failed to take control of the match as they did in an upset victory over Cronulla in round 1, falling 26-6 on Saturday night.

There were no signs of that performance in Townsville from the visitors as North Queensland, led by lock Jason Taumalolo and centre recruit Pita Hiku, ran in four tries.

The Cowboys ran away with the result late as an 11-minute surge, sparked by tries to Kyle Feldt and 19-year-old backrower Jeremiah Nanai, put the result beyond doubt.

Celebrations were tempered somewhat for the home team by the loss of popular front rower Mitch Dunn to an ACL injury, while backrower Tom Gilbert found himself on report for putting pressure on the neck of Semi Valemei in the 20th minute.

Raiders fullback Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad will also front the judiciary for a high tackle on halfback Chad Townsend that made impact on the back of his head.