Townsville is in party mode after a bumper crowd watched the North Queensland Cowboys slay the St George Illawarra Dragons 34-10 at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

The Cowboys now sit firmly in the top six after posting their third straight win, this one in front of 17,262 jubilant fans.

While the Cowboys have been guilty of going to sleep at times in the second half this season, there were no signs as they superbly built on a 14-4 halftime advantage.

In fact the fifth and final try - just minutes from full time - was a perfect example of the enthusiasm and willingness to throw the football around which has been the trademark of their serious push for a maiden finals appearance.

Getting possession 70 metres out from the try line, halfback Nathan Fien scooped the ball back to a flying Matt Bowen.

Bowen split the gap and flew down field to pick up hooker Aaron Payne, who in turn flick-passed back to Bowen who then spread the ball to the right and would handle once more in a sensational passage that ended with a try to centre Josh Hannay.

Earlier, Bowen extended the lead to 24-4 with his second try, an individual effort equal if not better than that of his dummying, darting efforts in the first half.

The tiny State Of Origin utility was superb coming off the bench, a ploy Cowboys' coach Graham Murray has used in recent matches so as to protect his young star from fiery opening exchanges.

Bowen received good support from winger Ty Williams who also scored a try in each half, while Paul Bowman opened the Cowboys' second half account by touching down on the end of a slick backline movement.

The Dragons only joy in the second half was an 80 metre effort to winger Nick Youngquest but the overall lack of enthusiasm was a 31st birthday present Dragons coach Nathan Brown could have done without.

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