The Cowboys entered the weekend in last spot on the table and a point behind Boggabri on the premiership table.

The Roos were extra keen to win as well, not just because the clash was at Boggabri but to shed the wooden spoon they won last season.

"It was disappointing," Boggabri coach Shane Rampling said. "We did some stupid things.

"Got to win next week (against Gunnedah). Had four close losses now - win those and it could have been a different story."

Dungowan Cowboys captain-coach Matt Wilson was delighted with the effort .

"It was a good, tough win out there," Wilson said.

"Had a good day. The Cowgirls won, too, and that made it a good bus trip out and a good trip home last night.

"I've been going out there seven seasons now and can never remember an easy one."

"Their forwards are tough and bashed us quite a bit. We controlled the ball a bit better though and completed our sets."

Leading 26-16 at half-time the Cowboys scored early in the second half to extend their lead and then hung on for a win that lifted them off the cellar and a point ahead of Boggabri with two rounds left.

First grade: DUNGOWAN 36 (Matt Wilson 2, Matt Jenner 2, Justin Bradbury, Brett Jarrett, Clay Frendin tries, Jarrett 4gls) d BOGGABRI 34 (Matthew Avendano 2, Jack Gilham, Jesse McCarthy, Nathan Millar, Bailey Lennox tries, Jayde Campbell 3, Dylan O'Brien 2gls)

Ladies League Tag: DUNGOWAN 24 (Alina Swan, Paris Knox, Chloe Shanley, Lisa Jenner, Taylor Holcombe tries, Emma Carrigan, Sarah Stackman gls) d BOGGABRI 0

Ladies League: BOGGABRI 22 (Keiarra Hannaford 2, Cassidy Morley, Courtney Grace tries, Morley gl) d SOUTH WEST ROBINS 12 (Tarneice Berry, Maria Monika, Jacqueline Murphy tries)

Second Grade: SOUTH WEST ROBINS 26 (Josh Steel, Makaylon Brown, Ben Caldwell, Henry Slater, Zahn Chisholm tries, Shannon Swan 2, Robert Morris gls) d BOGGABRI 16 (Shane Wheeler, Connor Hall, Hawken Durrant tries, Hall 2gls)