NRL: Bulldogs score gutsy win in Townsville

Ben Roberts of the Bulldogs is wrapped up by the Cowboys defence during the round 23 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Bulldogs at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Bulldogs 22
Cowboys 12

TOWNSVILLE - The Bulldogs reinforced their chances of a top-two NRL finish last night with a gutsy 22-12 victory over North Queensland in Townsville.

The visitors overcame the loss of key personnel Luke Patten and Queensland prop Ben Hannant before the match, a six-point head start to the Cowboys and the loss of Jarrad Hickey in the first half to continue their charge to the finals.

In a brutal Reconciliation Cup clash in front of 18,199 fans the, Bulldogs lost giant prop Hickey to concussion following a head clash with Carl Webb while the Cowboys lost centre Willie Tonga in the second in similar fashion.

North Queensland took a 12-6 advantage at halftime but it could have been more for the home side with video referee decisions costing the Cowboys.

The most contentious decision came when Bill Harrigan ruled an obstruction play on Webb who took out Brett Kimmorley. Harrigan found Ty Williams stepped into touch late in the half.

Johnathan Thurston got the home side on the board with a try in the 11th minute and Tonga was eventually rewarded for his efforts running off a crisp Anthony Watts ball in the 28th minute.

The Bulldogs had plenty of opportunities to post points and were also denied by the video ref when Hickey was held up in the 17th minute. However Josh Morris scored a determined try in the 20th to give the Dogs hope.

Retiring great Hazem El Masri turned back the clock to level the scores at the start of the second half with a jinking charge to the try line after a neat Chris Armit offload.

The visitors then went in front when try scoring freak Bryson Goodwin finished off a team try in the corner with the ball going through several sets of hands for a six-point lead.

Two El Masri penalty goals following Cowboys' indiscretions deep in their own half put the game out of reach of North Queensland to put their finals aspirations on the ropes.

- AAP