Mackay was treated to a gritty, tight game of top-flight rugby league tonight as the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and the Sydney Roosters scrapped out a pre-season trial in the cane city. The Cowboys prevailed 11-10 as Kyle Laybutt iced the result with a field goal, while three of the four tries were scored from kicks.

In front of a near sellout crowd at BB Print Stadium, and played in oppressive conditions, the game never reached great height as an attacking spectacle with Cowboys’ utility Blake Leary and Roosters back Shaun Kenny-Dowall crossed for tries in the first half as both coaches toyed with halves combinations and the rotation of large squads.

Teenager Enari Tuala levelled things for the Cowboys late in the game after the Roosters nursed a 10-6 lead in the second.

The Cowboys now turn their attention to their second trial match in Sydney against Wests Tigers on Friday.