North Queensland exacted sweet revenge over the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night with a convincing 38-18 win in front of a full house in Townsville.

After trailing 6-4 early against a determined Roosters outfit coming off a heartbreaking loss to St George-Illawarra, the Cowboys turned a 15-minute, four-try blitz either side of halftime to bury both their opponents and the bitter memories of surrounding the end to their 2004 campaign.

It was the Roosters that ended last year's NRL good news story, with a 19-16 preliminary final win over the Cowboys at Telstra Stadium.

That match contained its share of controversy as the Cowboys were denied a scrum in the dying stages of the match for a last chance at victory.

There was no doubt on Saturday night though who was the better side as the Cowboys made it three wins on the trot, six from eight matches and their ninth straight win at home.

The victory was just their second over the Roosters in 17 meetings, and their first since 1999.

Until Saturday night, the Cowboys had never beaten the perennial NRL finalists in Townsville.

Veteran Paul Bowman was the hero for the victors, the hulking centre crossing for a double, with his second eight minutes after halftime opening up a 20-6 lead which was never seriously threatened.

And while busy halfback Johnathan Thurston continued his golden run at his new club with another complete performance in the No.7 jersey, it was dynamic fullback Matthew Bowen who most impressed with a vastly improved performance from his past three games.

Seemingly down on confidence since a poor game in the Cowboys' round five loss to the Sharks in Sydney, Bowen injected himself into the contest on Saturday night from the opening whistle, with several strong runs, a try-saving tackle on Roosters dangerman Amos Roberts, and three solid takes from towering Roberts kicks.

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