The North Queensland Cowboys overcame the loss of star playmaker Johnathan Thurston to upset the Brisbane Broncos 26-10 in their round 20 NRL match in Townsville last night.
Thurston was stretchered from the field after dislocating his knee in the fourth minute of the match and did not return.
However, his injury only served to spark the Cowboys into action, the home side running in five tries to Brisbane's two.
Winger Matt Sing finished with a hat-trick, while full-back Matt Bowen was outstanding, setting up three of the club's tries.
The Cowboys have had a shocking run in June and July so far, slipping relentlessly down the points table, so last night's victory would have been all the sweeter for the players and coaching staff.
In other matches yesterday, the Newcastle Knights survived a second-half comeback from South Sydney to win their match 24-18.
The Knights led 24-0 at half-time but fell away as the Rabbitohs ran in three second half tries.
The Rabbitohs, meanwhile, slumped to their 18th loss of the season.
The Bulldogs maintained their chase of competition leaders Melbourne with a 25-0 defeat of the Roosters at Sydney's Olympic stadium last night.
The home side scored three tries through Andrew Emelio, Sonny Bill Williams and captain Andrew Ryan, while Hazem El Masri kicked two conversions and four penalty goals.
Brent Sherwin also added a field goal.
The win keeps the Bulldogs six points behind the Storm.
On Friday evening.the Melbourne Storm surged to their eighth straight win, jumping eight points clear on the NRL ladder, after Cronulla became their latest victim at the Storm's stronghold of Olympic Park.
The 28-12 win was Melbourne's eighth on the trot and extended their unbeaten home run to 14 matches.
In today's matches, the Tigers play the Eels at Telstra Stadium, the Raiders meet the Dragons in Canberra, and the Sea Eagles host the Panthers at Brookvale Oval.
The Warriors have the bye this weekend.
- RADIO AUSTRALIA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF
