Clifford leads Cowboys to big win over Raiders

Jake Clifford made a stunning NRL return to lead North Queensland to a 42-4 defeat of Canberra that all but ensures the Cowboys a place in the finals.

Clifford was recalled for his first match in 11 weeks after North Queensland coach Todd Payten dropped veteran halfback Chad Townsend and made an immediate impact, scoring a try and laying on three others.

He also ran a team high 202m with the ball and combined seamlessly with star five-eighth Tom Dearden, hooker Reece Robson and fullback Scott Drinkwater. 

Centre Val Holmes scored three tries and scored 26 points just days after telling team-mates he was leaving to join the Dragons, while veteran winger Kyle Feldt crossed for a brace.

The Cowboys are in seventh place, two points of the Dolphins and Dragons, and have a bye next weekend before matches against the Storm and Bulldogs. 

Clifford celebrated his return to the NRL by scoring the first try of the match after putting hooker Reece Robson through a gap and then backing up to receive the ball back and cross in the fifth minute.

Departing centre Val Holmes, who has signed with the Dragons for the next three seasons, put the Cowboys further ahead when he scored in the 18th minute,

A 30th minute Seb Kris try stemmed the tide for the Raiders but it was shortlived as Kyle Feldt scored five minutes later from a scrum before Tom Dearden crossed to put the home side ahead 24-4 at halftime.  

Holmes scored his second try in the 44th minute and his third just three minutes later, while Feldt completed his double in the 59th minute.