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globalrugbyleague - Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:42:00 GMT
South Sydney have ended their 2-game losing streak with a brave 10-6 win over the North Queensland North Queensland Cowboys">North Queensland Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight.

Looking to defuse any possible psychological fall out from taking a third loss on the chin this season, it was the South Sydney Rabbitohs">South Sydney Rabbitohs rock solid defense that in the end helped them survive a scrappy second half.

Holding on for dear life after taking the lead for the first time care of a Nathan Merritt try down the left inside in the 57th minute, there was no shortage of opportunities to lose the game.

Ball handling early in the tackle count defused several try scoring opportunities for the Bunnies while some oversights by the referee and incorrect calls kept the North Queensland Cowboys">North Queensland Cowboys in the game.

However some ‘scrappy’ execution from the home side and some consistency from South Sydney in controlling the speed of the play the ball all

The most impressive part of South Sydney’s performance however was their defence under enormous pressure. Tackles weren’t rushed and the panic buttons were never pushed.

One television commentator proclaimed that South Sydney teams of old would not have won a game in such circumstances and there was credence to that analysis.

While Roy Asotasi took out the man of the match award, Joe Williams was not far behind either, kicking his fourth 40/20 of the year while setting up a try to Merritt.

In another sign of valuable progress being made by the South Sydney Rabbitohs">South Sydney Rabbitohs under coach Jason Taylor, the visitors won their first come from behind game this season after trailing at half-time (6-4)

In the lead-up to tonight’s game , the red and green had only been behind once at half-time in 2007 and that was during their 34-10 loss against Canterbury in round 4.

Other records were also re-written with the Bunnies cementing a better record against the North Queensland Cowboys">North Queensland Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium, having now won 5 of the past 9 games played there.

In further bad news for North Queensland Cowboys">North Queensland Cowboys coach Graham Murray, his side will be without strike weapon Ashley Graham (Hamstring) and David Faiumu (medial ligament) when they play the undefeated Manly Warringah Sea Eagles">Manly Warringah Sea Eagles next Saturday night.

The loss of Faiumu will stretch the depth of the North Queensland Cowboys">North Queensland Cowboys forwards on top of the loss of Luke O’Donnell (season – hamstring) and Carl Webb (Jaw).

The win keeps South Sydney inside the eight at the end of round 6 and as coach Taylor admitted helps “get ourselves back on track” before an important upcoming clash against the New Zealand Warriors">New Zealand Warriors next weekend.

Outcomes from the game include Referee Cummins placing South Sydney forward Luke Stuart on report for an alleged kick to the head of fullback Matt Bowen.

Meanwhile for coach Graham Murray, It was not the result he was hoping for in his 300th game as an NRL coach.

South Sydney 10 (S Hegarty, N Merritt tries; J Williams goal) def NQLD North Queensland Cowboys">North Queensland Cowboys 6 (P Bowman try; J Thurston goal) at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins. GRL Game Grade: 2 balls out ten. - Read More, Here