Cowboys down Dragons in 13-try thriller in Townsville

Doubles to Jakiya Whitfeld and Tiana Raftstrand-Smith helped the Cowboys open their NRLW account for 2024 with a 38-34 win over the Dragons in Townsville.

After being held scoreless in a first-up loss to the Sharks, the Cowboys clicked into gear with seven tries to consign the Dragons to a 0-2 start to the season.

The home side took the lead after seven minutes when Lily Peacock crashed over from close range to deliver the Cowboys their first try of the season

The Cowboys should have had a second try two minutes later but Tahlulah Tillett went on her own and spilled the ball over the line despite having players unmarked on her outside.

Come the 16th minute and the second try came for the Cowboys through former Tiger Whitfeld, who showed great speed and footwork to score after the Dragons had let a Kirra Dibb kick bounce and were made to pay.

Trailing 12-0 the Red V hit back in the 20th minute when teenager Kasey Reh scooted over from dummy half for her first NRLW try before winger Margot Vella powered over in the left hand corner and Raecene McGregor converted from touch to square it up at 12-12.

Cowboys fullback Francesca Goldthorp then showed good strength to get over in the corner despite some desperate Dragons cover defence and Ricky Henry's side had a four-point lead.

Tiana Raftstrand-Smith was next to cross for the Cowboys courtesy of a neat pass from Dibb who then added the extras for a 22-12 lead.

A high kick from McGregor was allowed to bounce by the Cowboys early in the second half and Vella picked up the scraps to complete her double but injured her ankle in scoring the try and had to be helped from the field.

The Cowboys returned serve three minutes later when Jasmine Peters crossed for the eighth try of NRLW career and the margin was back out to 10 points.

Prolific Dragons fullback Teagan Berry sliced through in the 48th minute to get the Red V back to 28-24 before Kimberley Hunt finished off a slick right side raid to square things up at 28-28 with 14 minutes to play.

Tiana Raftstrand-Smith made it a double in the 59th minute before Whifeld sizzled down the right wing to wrap up the Cowboys' first victory since Round 4 last season.

The Dragons had the final say with a spectacular try engineered by McGregor with a chip over the top and finished off by Alexis Tauaneai.