Cochrane delivered one of the best individual performances of the year as he orchestrated what was probably the Blues' No.1 display in 2019. They would be hoping that it ignites their campaign in the run to the finals, after an inconsistent season to date.

Cochrane, the Blues' captain-coach, scored three long-range tries and retrieved his own close-range grubber to post another.

In the fourth minute, he crossed for the match's first try - slicing through the Cowboys' defence and racing about 40 metres to score out wide.

A similar fate befell the home side in the 43rd minute. But this time Cochrane - who roams in attack, constantly looking for the ball - scored under the posts. He wore the No.9.

David Toomey converted and it was 42-0. An unrelenting mauling was occurring.

But then Dungowan's veteran lock Shaun Ferguson crashed over three minutes later, sparking a spirited Cowboys revival that saw them dominate the second half. They posted four unanswered tries, before the Blues scored a late try.

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Post-match, Narrabri president Michael Gleeson refused to give the Leader access to the club's players, telling No.1 Josh Trindall not to speak to me because "he's the guy who said we'd come last".

In a preseason article, I predicted Narrabri would finish last in 2019.

The fourth-placed Blues now have three wins and three losses. Dungowan have one win.

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In Boggabri, the second-placed Magpies made it five straight victories with a 22-18 defeat of the vastly improved Roos.

The Bulldogs travel to North Tamworth on Sunday.

Narrabri 48 (Brenton Cochrane 4, Toby Bently, Brady Jenkins, Isaiah Adams, Jess O'Neil, Travis Small tries; David Toomey 5, Josh Trindall goals) d Dungowan 22 (Shaun Ferguson 2, Nathan McGuire, Ethan Collins tries; Brock Morgan 3 goals)

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