Front rower Ben Hannant has spearheaded the Brisbane Broncos to a 20-10 NRL trial win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Rockhampton.

In a match where assistant coaches Ivan Henjak and Ian Millward took the reins of their respective clubs, the Broncos built on a 12-point halftime lead to work into some handy pre-season form.

Hannant played a busy prop's game, but also found time to kick goals and spirit a one-on-one strip of possession from Cowboy opposite Carl Webb.

On a soggy field, the Broncos secured the honours when Nat Bowman - one of four players on a one-night loan to Brisbane from affiliate club the Central Comets - went over in the corner just before three-quarter time.

With 15 minutes left the Cowboys showed spark by running on the last tackle, a clever chip from halfback Anthony Watts allowing Ray Thompson to score.

In the first half, the Cowboys had the best of territory for the opening exchanges but it was the Broncos who scored.

A long pass from Watts was plucked from the air by Broncos' captain Justin Hodges in the 17th minute, with the international centre jogging 60 metres down field to score next to the posts.

Hannant was the surprise choice for the conversion and it was 6-0.

The Broncos went 12-0 ahead when Greg Eastwood stepped through the line in the 24th minute, dishing the ball for PJ Marsh to score his first try in Broncos' colours.

Four minutes late the Broncos were in again when a backline move created enough space for teenager Gerard Beale to slip down the blind and dive over for 16-0.

Local boy Guy Williams, another on loan to the Broncos, was sin binned for a professional foul after a Cowboys' break.

Almost immediately Jackson Nicolau put the Cowboys on the board by crashing over on the halftime siren, leaving it 16-4 at the break.

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