Rabbitohs 28 Defeat Cowboys 24
04 May 2008
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have secured their first victory for the 2008 season after defeating the North Queensland Cowboys 28 points to 24 at ANZ Stadium in front of 9,818 Members and fans.
The Rabbitohs ran in five tries to four against their more fancied opponents, with Beau Champion and John Sutton both scoring doubles in the Rabbitohs win.
The Cowboys were the first to score through Ashley Graham, with Johnathan Thurston converting to give the visitors a 6-nil lead after just five minutes.
The Rabbitohs struck back through Champion in the 13th minute, after a fantastic offload from lock John Sutton on the left hand side of the field. Halfback Issac Luke converted to level the scores at 6-all.
Seven minutes later Carl Webb crashed over for the Cowboys and Thurston’s conversion re-established the six point lead.
Champion then crossed for his second try in the 23rd minute, with Luke again converting to lock the scores up.
Three minutes later the Rabbitohs crossed through Champion’s centre partner Nigel Vagana. Luke converted and the Rabbitohs headed to the sheds at half time with an 18-12 advantage.
The Rabbitohs were playing disciplined football and it was paying off. Their ball retention was much improved and they were taking the scoring opportunities that were being presented to them.
The Rabbitohs started the second half with a bang when Sutton crossed for his first try in the 49th minute. Five-eighth Dean Widders set up the try, putting Sutton through a nice hole to score. Luke kicked his fourth conversion to stretch the Rabbitohs’ lead to 12.
Widders was denied a try of his own in the 59th minute, with Ben Vaeau then crossing for the Cowboys in the 59th minute. Thurston kept his perfect record with the boot to bring the Cowboys within six.
Sutton scored his second try in the 68th minute, making a 45 metre break to the left hand corner to give the Rabbitohs a 10 point lead.
The Cowboys struck back in the 73rd minute through winger John Williams and Thurston’s conversion brought the visitors within four points, but they couldn’t bridge the gap in the remaining seven minutes with the red and greens sealing their maiden victory for the Centenary season.
Issac Luke and Dean Widders performed strongly in their first game together in the halves, and the Rabbitohs’ forward pack stood up to be counted for today.
The Rabbitohs will have the bye in round nine.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 28 (Beau Champion 2, John Sutton 2, Nigel Vagana tries; Issac Luke 4/5 goals)
defeated
North Queensland Cowboys 24 (Ashley Graham, Carl Webb, Ben Vaeau, John Williams tries; Johnathan Thurston 4/4 goals)
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The South Sydney Rabbitohs scored a convincing 40 points to 10 over the North Queensland Cowboys in the Toyota Cup.
Luke Capewell and Michael Cummins both scored doubles to give the Rabbitohs a big win at home.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 40 (Luke Capewell 2, Michael Cummins 2, Junior Seumanutafa, Trent Trotter, Chris Sandow, Sam Huihahau tries; Chris Sandow 4/7 goals; Eddie Paea 0/1 goals)
defeated
North Queensland Cowboys 10 (Steven Beaumont, Sam Bowie tries; Tom Humble 1/1 goals, Darren Tonihi 0/1 goals)