Match Report: NRLW Round 4 vs Cowboys

The visitors soaked up plenty of attacking pressure in the Brisbane heat and went ahead by two points midway through the second half, but unfortunately conceded a try in the final minutes of the match.

Both sides had ample attacking opportunities in the opening stages but failed to turn them into points.

North Queensland struck first at the ten-minute mark as Tahlulah Tillet held up the Tigers’ goal line defence and found China Polata who scored in the corner.

The visitors responded minutes later when winger Josie Lenaz finished off a smooth backline movement to cross for her first NRLW try.

Sarah Togatuki again showed why she is one of the game’s most dominant forwards, amassing 221 total run metres.

Togatuki brought Totally Workwear Stadium to life late in the first half with a ferocious break downfield but the visitors again failed to capitalise.

The deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of halftime as captain Kezie Apps burst onto a short ball from Emily Curtain close to the line to give her side a 10-4 advantage.

Brett Kimmorley’s side was relentless in defence keeping the hosts out multiple times before Cowboys forward Mackenzie Weale crashed over to level the scores at the 45-minute mark.

A Pauline Piliae-Rasabale penalty goal put the visitors ahead with 20 minutes to go and momentum looked to swing in favour of Wests Tigers.

An unlucky error from fullback Rebecca Pollard on debut gave the Cowboys one last shot in the dying stages.

Cowboys centre Jasmine Peters took full advantage, crashing over to secure a 16-12 win.

Match snapshot:

• Cowboys winger China Polata and Wests Tigers flyer Josie Lenaz crossed for their first NRLW tries to open the scoring for their respective sides early.
• Cowboys forward Makenzie Weale was placed on report for a high tackle in the first half.
• The Cowboys lost co-captain Tallisha Harden to a knee injury midway through the second half in a blow for the home side. 
• Cowboys winger China Polata was placed on report in the clash.

What's next:

Both sides return to host home matches in Round 5 with the Cowboys taking on the Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium while the Wests Tigers host the Dragons in Parramatta. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith (Cowboys) and Botille Vette-Welsh (Wests Tigers) could make returns after missing this match due to head knocks.