NRL: Tigers end losing run with Cowboys win

Liam Fulton of the Tigers scores a try. Photo / Getty Images

Tigers 38
Cowboys 18

Wests Tigers snapped a three-match NRL losing streak with a comprehensive 38-18 win over North Queensland in Townsville.

The Tigers created more attacking chances than the Cowboys, who struggled in the absence of injured co-captains Johnathan Thurston (knee) and Matt Scott (back) to slump to their second home loss of the season.

The Sydneysiders had the chance to move back into the top-eight with a victory and they opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Gareth Ellis pounced on a Robbie Farah grubber.

They doubled their lead after 23 minutes when Blake Ayshford was put into a gap by Tim Moltzen.

The Cowboys hit back four minutes before halftime through Cory Paterson, and were first to score in the second half when centre Willie Tonga intercepted a Liam Fulton pass and ran 40 metres in the 42nd minute.

The Tigers extended their lead just six minutes later when Benji Marshall showed some fancy footwork to skip past two Cowboys' defenders.

Tim Moltzen gave West Tigers a 14-point lead after 53 minutes when he ran 50 metres after collecting a Robbie Farah flick pass.

Cowboys' fullback Matt Bowen assumed most of the playmaking duties on the night and he collected his own clever chip before running 40 metres to put Tonga through for his second try of the night after 61 minutes.

Ayshford crossed for his second try with seven minutes remaining, benefiting from a favourable bounce from a Marshall bomb.

Paterson then added his second try after being put into a gap by halfback Matthew Morgan.

Liam Fulton ended the Tigers rout, crossing in the 79th minute when he was put into space by Farah.

WESTS TIGERS 38 (B Ayshford 2 G Ellis L Fulton B Marshall T Moltzen tries B Marshall 7 goals) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 18 (C Paterson 2 W Tonga 2 tries M Bowen goal) at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins. Crowd: 12,829.

- AAP