Moree Boars continued on their ruthless Whitehaven Coal Group 4 First Grade way when they beat Wee Waa 66-6 in a Mercy Rule finish at Captain Cook Oval in Wee Waa.
The Boars won under the Mercy Rule early in the second half to earn an early mark.
Jake Tighe crossed for three tries, Alex barker Junior, Mark Pegus and Jamie Sampson all claimed two tries apiece to continue the unbeaten run for the competition leaders.
They now lead by seven points and have the best attack and defence.
The Boars have scored a whopping 656 points to be almost 200 better than their nearest rival (Boggabri) and have let in the least points, just 200, in their 14 games.
It was the defence in today’s win at Wee Waa that most pleased coach Michael Watton.
“It was a good win under the circumstances,” Michael Watton told Group 4 Media.
“The boys we had rested an d the boys who came in for them did a phenomenal job. They all handled themselves really well.”
Watton said Caleb Duncan, Bailey Shepherd, Anton Jarrett, Stan Swan and Steve McIntosh all came up from second grade and acquitted themselves well.
“We always knew we were going to score points but the defence was the most pleasing aspect,” Watton added.
Dungowan Cowboys “got the job done” when they beat Narrabri Blues 64-14 at the Dungowan Recreation Reserve.
The Cowboys converted a 30-4 halftime lead into a 50-point win in a tradesman-like performance.
“They got the job done,” coach Jack Cameron told Group 4 Media after the game.
Having done that the Cowboys scored plenty of tries out wide with Tevita Peceli outstanding in crossing for three of the 13 tries.
Braydon Johnson also claimed a hat trick on the right wing while fullback Bernie Allan and har-working backrower Jye Taggart also scored twice.
“The middle was good,” Jack Cameron said of his forwards in close.
“Lochie was good today,” he said of the pocket dynamo usually playing on an edge but drafted in closer today.
“It was probably the best game he’s played for us this year.”
Cameron also had good praise for Narrabri teenager Isaiah Cochrane, the son of brilliant Moree pivot Brenton Cochrane.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen him play,” Cameron said.
“He goes allright doesn’t he?
“He played well in a beaten side.”
Indeed Cochrane shone for the Blues. Scoring one of their three tries with a brilliant chip and chase try and then laying on a superb pass for centre Dylan Segundo to score one of his two tries.
Cochrane was one of Narrabri’s best said coach Glenn Collins.
“He was going to play off the bench but he started today,” Collins said.
“He’s only 17 but he proved he can handle it today. He’s a great kid.”
Kootingal Roosters crowed long and hard when they produced the comeback of the ages to defeat Boggabri Kangaroos 34-32 in a golden point extra time stunner.
Down 28-6 eight minutes into the second half of their Round 14 Whitehaven Coal Group 4 First Grade match at Kootingal Recreation Reserve after Pita Rogasau had scored a dazzling long range try ignited by Josefa (Big Joe) Bui. The Fijian props run and offload near halfway had sent halfback Andrew Wallace clear before he found Rogasau to race 30m for his second try of the game.
The game looked done and dusted but Rooster centre Billy Nean took charge and ran riot.
He scored three tries in eight minutes as the home side clawed their way back into the game at 28-20.
Rogasau’s third try for Boggabri seemingly ended the Rooster hopes when he picked up a dropped ball by the Roosters and raced 40m to score and make it 32-20.
However, there was still more drama with Nean diving over from dummy half for his fourth try.
Labouring under an 18-5 penalty count the Roos defended gallantly and looked to have the game in hand when the Roosters regained the ball with 50 seconds left.
They threw everything they had into attack but seemed cornered when Nean received the ball and looked to have no where to go.
He did have one final weapon. A bomb.
Boggy fans and players claimed the Rooster chasers from the opposite side of the field to Nean were offside but when Boggabri allowed the ball to pounce centre Liam Hatch swooped.
He grabbed the ball and sliced over for Brayden Jerrard to convert and lock it up at 32-all, sending the game into golden point.
Boggabri could have won it in extra time when they chose not to go for a field goal when they had three tackles right in front of the posts and just 20m out!
It came home to bite them as the Roosters rolled up the field and when one of the Roos interfered in the ruck at a play the ball just 10m out referee Lacey awarded Kooty their 19th penalty of the game.
Brayden Jerrard potted the goal from almost in front to send his teammates into celebrations.
It was an amazing finish that gutted the Boggabri players, coach and supporters.
Many claimed foul play, how they were robbed by a disgusting refereeing performance.
Coach Shane Rampling was enraged before calming himself in the dressing sheds.
His players were bewildered and bereft of how they had thrown away the game.
“I don’t know how we lost that game,” Shane Rampling said simply.
“I do. The penalty count. 19-5.”
Prop Nic Millar chimed in after his outstanding game.
“We’ve never won a game in Tamworth. Never will after that.”
Kootingal skipper Logan Howard deemed it a “massive comeback”.
“We started too slow again like we did at Werris Creek. We dug a hole for ourselves. And they (Boggabri) are a strong side. They are going to upset a lot of sides this year and they were a bit unlucky here today.
Kootingal coach Mark Sheppard was also “in shock”.
“I just think we wanted to win more in the end. They just fought for each other.
“The only time we were in front was when Brado kicked that penalty,” Sheppard added.
“We pulled a rabbit out of our backsides.”
Gunnedah might not be able to make the Whitehaven Coal Group 4 First Grade Semi-Finals but it certainly inflicted a damning blow on North Tamworth’s hopes at Jack Woolaston Oval on Saturday.
The Bulldogs won 24-22 just their fourth win of the season.
They had almost beaten North Tamworth in the first round in Gunnedah, losing there by two points (22-20) in the fifth round.
North Tamworth coach Paul Boyce described his side’s performance as “dogs..t” and left it at that.
Gunnedah coach Sean Hayne was delighted but described it as “inconsequential”.
“We can’t do anything,” he said of a side eight points away from a top four spot with four rounds left.
“We were good today,” he added.
Gunnedah skipper Lincon Smith celebrated a first with the 24-22 victory.
“I have never beaten them here before,” the talented prop told G4 Media.
“The last time I played in a winning team against them was 2018 at home on Old Boys Day. 44-16. I’ve never beaten them here.
“Everyone dug deep today. The culture has been changing. We haven’t been as intense. Training has been a bit more smooth.
“We didn’t start the season how we wanted but everyone knows their job now.”
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