Dragons pile on points in big win over Cowboys

The Dragons have kept their finals hopes alive with a dominant 48-16 win over the North Queensland Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Halves pairing Racene McGregor and Tyla Nathan-Wong helped steer the Red V home in what was a must-win match for the Dragons, who now sit just one win outside the top four.

The visitors struck early after a brilliant sideline dash from Teagan Berry handed the Dragons field position and winger Taylor Mapusua capitalised, crossing out-wide in the fifth minute.

After a mountain of possession, the Cowboys were able to hit back when skipper Kirra Dibb lofted a pass to winger Krystal Blackwell to score her first NRLW try. A sideline conversion from Dibb was the difference between the two sides with 11 minutes gone.

The Dragons took back the lead in the 22nd minute when Zali Hopkins cut out two players to find Margot Vella from dummy-half. Skipper McGregor added the extras from the sideline to make it 10-6.

It was only six minutes later the Dragons extended their lead when the Red V ran it on the last tackle and found back rower Madison Mulhall charging onto the ball to score. 

With all the momentum, the Dragons marched downfield in the next set and stand-in centre Ella Koster found space from close range to make it 22-6.

Interchange forward Maddison Weatherall was next on the Red V scoresheet with a barnstorming crash-over try to extend the lead 28-6 at the break.

Six minutes into the second half, Cowboys fullback Francesca Goldthorp beat five players to score a brilliant individual try after an inspiring defensive tackle from Sera Koroi gifted the home side possession.

Cowboys halves Dibb and Tahlulah Tillett were growing in confidence as the game went on and set up Vitalina Naikore to cross in the corner with a spectacular put-down to reduce the deficit 28-16 with 20 left to play.

A great kick from McGregor forced a line drop-out and in the following set Mapusua scored her second for the afternoon, giving the Dragons some breathing room heading into the final 15 minutes of the match.

With nine minutes to play, McGregor and Berry combined off a kick to see the fullback cross for her 10th try in 2023, taking the score out to 42-16. 

Zali Hopkins was then rewarded for a dominant game with a try in the 64th minute for the Dragons.

On the full-time siren Shenai Lendill scored off a backline play to record her first try in the NRLW, taking the final score to 48-16.