Cowboys down Raiders in trial but Payne injured

Cowboys 32 v Raiders 12 Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Saturday, 1st March 2008

North Queensland Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne is in doubt for round one after suffering a hamstring injury in his side's 32-12 trial win over the Canberra Raiders last night.

Payne limped off in the 22nd minute. The likely replacement will be David Faiumu should Payne be unavailable for the opening round against the Titans.

The Cowboys are already without captain Johnathan Thurston who is not expected back before round 5 following shoulder surgery over the off-season.

The Cowboys dominated in defence with the two Raiders' tries coming against the run of play.

North Queensland forwards Carl Webb and Luke O'Donnell shared the honours with O'Donnell scoring a hat trick of tries in the opening 25 minutes and Webb crossing for a four-pointer of his own before half time.

Apart from Payne, there were no other major injuries with Cowboys prop Shane Tronc making a successful return from a knee injury. Raiders fullback and try scorer William Zillman also made a successful return from a knee injury.

Cowboys: 32 Tries: O'Donnell 3, Webb, Bowen, Southern Goals: Graham 2, Burns 2 defeated Raiders: 12 Tries: Best, Zillman Goals: Dobson 2

For a full wrap of all trials - click here