Luke Brooks was influential as Wests Tigers returned to winning ways in NRL with a 20-12 victory over North Queensland Cowboys.

The Tigers had lost three on the trot before Thursday's contest at Leichhardt Oval, with Brooks winning the halfback battle against Johnathan Thurston to help side to victory.

Brooks scored the opening try in the 16th minute when he intercepted Michael Morgan's pass and sprinted almost the length of the field to touch down.

More fine play from Brooks eventually led to Corey Thompson's brilliant offload setting up Malakai Watene-Zelezniak for the Tigers' second score, only for Te Maire Martin brought the Cowboys back into it against his former club before the break.

David Nofoaluma stretched the lead to 12-6 early in the second half, but the visitors were level when Antonio Winterstein's try was converted by Thurston.

But an Esan Marsters penalty edged the Tigers back ahead, and the same man converted his own try with 10 minutes to go to ensure a deserved home win.