North Queensland's premiership defence has hit the skids after the Cowboys crashed to their third straight NRL defeat - a 22-10 loss to a Mitchell Pearce-inspired Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters enjoyed their best win of the year on Sunday, with Pearce and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves back from injury against a Cowboys side missing hooker Jake Granville and prop Ben Hannant. Pearce outpointed his opposite Johnathan Thurston, who still appeared troubled by a hamstring injury he suffered three weeks ago. Copley's replacement, Ryan Matterson, replied for the Roosters in the 21st minute, with Pearce throwing the final pass. Mitchell scooted past Lachlan Coote on a 40m angled run to put the Roosters further ahead in the 49th minute.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 14, 2016 08:15 UTC