Boggabri takes on the Unicorns at Jubilee

Boggabri and District Rugby League Club had its first hit-out of 2020 on Saturday and it was a great way to open the coming Group Four Rugby League season.

The club’s first grade and ladies’ league tag sides challenged the Coonabarabran Unicorns at Jubilee Oval in front of a large home crowd.

The ladies’ league tag match was the first of the day and it was a tight and tense game.

The Unicorns were too good for the Kangaroos in the first half leading the match 18-0 at the half time break.

But Boggabri fought hard in the second stanza and earned its way back in to the contest, winning the match 20-18.

The men’s first grade side looked to back up the ladies’ victory in the next match but the squad was missing a few key players due to other commitments and were defeated 50-16 by a strong Coonabarabran side.

Jesse McCarthy looking for a gap in the Unicorn’s defence. Photo: Sue Haire Jesse McCarthy looking for a gap in the Unicorn’s defence. Photo: Sue Haire

Bevan Flanagan prepares to pass to teammate Connor Fordham. Photo: Sue Haire Bevan Flanagan prepares to pass to teammate Connor Fordham. Photo: Sue Haire

Clare Mead breaks away from the defence. Photo: Sue Haire Clare Mead breaks away from the defence. Photo: Sue Haire

Boggabri Kangaroos president Greg Haire, Geoff Hobden, Brendan McKechnie and Richard Gillham. Boggabri Kangaroos president Greg Haire, Geoff Hobden, Brendan McKechnie and Richard Gillham.

Ray Chandler with Stan and Jeanette Thomas. Ray Chandler with Stan and Jeanette Thomas.

Keith Grover, Jim Brians, Tim O’Sullivan and Ron Gillham. Keith Grover, Jim Brians, Tim O’Sullivan and Ron Gillham.

Back, Lauchlan Southwell, Clay Durrant, Toby Blinman, Bec Borthistle, Rob Durrant, Bobbie Burns, Front, Joanne Smith and Nel Durrant. Back, Lauchlan Southwell, Clay Durrant, Toby Blinman, Bec Borthistle, Rob Durrant, Bobbie Burns, Front, Joanne Smith and Nel Durrant.

President Greg Haire said the trials were great for the club.

“It was certainly a battle,” said Haire.

“We had a couple players out with other commitments in first grade and Coonabarabran were just a bit too strong for us.

“The ladies played really well.

“Coonbarabran were way to good in the first half but we ended up coming back and winning the game 20-18.”

Haire said the club has benefitted from a few pre-season changes.

“Training’s been really good,” he said.

“I think our reserve grade coach Craig Summers is really going to make a difference.

“He gets on well with Shane Rampling, so they’re working together really well.

“I’m really looking forward to the season.”

Haire said he was astonished by the number of spectators at the trial game on Saturday.

“The crowd surprised me,” he said.

“There were cars all around the oval.

“The grandstand was probably three-parts full.

“It was such a good crowd.”