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The last Cowboys NRL trial match before the era of Mackay’s new stadium proved a winner at Tiger Park last night.
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A big crowd estimated at 5000 turned up despite wet weather over the last month to see Wests Tigers run away with it in the third quarter for a 28-4 win.
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And for the first time in three years the weather gods relented, allowing the match to go ahead in fine weather, despite heavy conditions underfoot for the players.
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QRL Northern Division chairman Greg Sutherland said the $8.8 million stadium at the JRL grounds would avoid the problems caused by Mackay’s wet season, which has prevented the last two trial games from going ahead.
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He paid tribute to the Wests rugby league club at Walkerston, led by president Brett Leach, who overcame major obstacles to get the ground prepared for the game.
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The QRL Northern Division organised the match, which for the first time featured free bus travel from the city and country centres.
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The first half proved an arm-wrestle, despite the Cowboys dominating possession.
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Forward Manase Manuokafoa scrambled over for the only try just before the break, giving the Cowboys a 4-0 lead.
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The STM Mackay Cutters trio of halfback Justin Hunt, second rower Tyson Martin and five-eighth Todd Seymour all got a run early in the match, bringing cheers from the home crowd.
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**New Cowboys fullback Shannon Gallant, who is in the running for a spot at the back with Matty Bowen battling a knee injury, impressed with a strong performance in the first half, defusing several attacks on the line and tangling with Tigers hooker Daniel Fitzhenry in a scuffle.**
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But the Cowboys suffered a horror third quarter, letting in four tries to slip to a 22-4 deficit.
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Fullback Jake Mullaney, forwards Junior Moors and Mark Flanagan with two tries all benefited as the Tigers got on a roll.
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Hunt pulled off a try-saving tackle on Josh Davis, but two tackles later Flanagan scored out wide.
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Cowboys winger Obe Geia, who was celebrating his 21st birthday, just missed the perfect present when a cross-kick over the line eluded him moments before the third quarter break.
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Flanagan wrapped up the game with his third try in the final minute, just beating the defence to the line.
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Tigers front rower Bryce Gibbs was man of the match, playing the full game in heavy conditions.
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TIGERS 28
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Tries: Jake Mullaney, Junior Moors, Jay Florimo 3; goals: Mullaney 4
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COWBOYS 4