North Queensland consolidated their push for a top-two finish with their biggest win of the season against the Warriors on Friday night.
One night after Penrith ended their slim hopes of contesting for the minor premiership, the second-placed Cowboys registered their 16th win of the season with a 48-4 thumping at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
The win moves Todd Payten’s side to 34 competition points, two clear of Cronulla who face Manly on Saturday at 4 Pines Park, and with a superior points differential of 115 over the Sharks.
Should Cronulla beat the Sea Eagles, the two sides will be neck and neck to secure second spot on the ladder.
Cronulla have the easier run home, facing Canterbury and Newcastle. North Queensland play South Sydney away and minor premiers Penrith at home in round 25.
Their first home fixture after three consecutive away games was a welcome one for their fans, hammering the Warriors by eight tries to one.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow races away from Reece Walsh.Credit:Getty
Their habit of starting slow was put to bed when Coen Hess crashed over Reece Walsh for their first try in the sixth minute. Three minutes later they had two, when Murray Taulagi sent Walsh flying on his way to the line.
Shifting through the hands to their right edge, their next tackle began with right winger Kyle Feldt and finished with his opposite winger Taulagi, who shoved off Walsh’s attempted tackle then slammed the ball down.
Valentine Holmes slotted a penalty goal to make the score 12-0 with Marcelo Montoya firing back for the Warriors off a kick to briefly put the visitors back in the contest.
Five minutes before the break, Walsh spilled Chad Townsend’s kick and Jeremiah Nanai crossed for his 17th try of the year.
They were in again on the half-time hooter when Scott Drinkwater deftly offloaded to Holmes on halfway. He had players lining up in support, and it was Peta Hiku who dotted down against his former team.
Tries after the break from Luciano Leilua, Townsend and a first career double to Tom Dearden had the home fans clamouring for 50 points.
But they blew a number of chances in the final 15 minutes with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow tackled dead in goal, Hiku dropping the ball over the line and Drinkwater’s flair proving too much for Hess, who found himself in a rare spot on the wing.
Kicking eight of his nine attempts at goal, Holmes became just the third Cowboys player to score 200 points or more in a season alongside club legend JohnathanThurston and Josh Hannay.
AAP
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