Blues down Werris Creek in first away outing of the season

Narrabri Rugby League Football Club’s first grade side is one of three Group 4 Rugby League teams to have kicked off its 2021 campaign with back-to-back wins and remain undefeated at the completion of the opening two rounds.

After defeating Moree 18-10 at Collins Park in round one, the Narrabri Whitehaven Blues travelled to Werris Creek on Sunday where they secured a 26-16 round two victory.

They led 12-10 at the half-time break before outscoring the Magpies 14-6 in the second stanza to claim a 10-point victory.

That win saw the Narrabri men move to four points alongside Kootingal, which downed defending champions North Tamworth 30-12 on Saturday, and Gunnedah, which scored a 38-14 win against Dungowan on Sunday.

Unlike the Blues, the Roosters and Bulldogs earned their round two victories on home soil.

Also winning in front of a home crowd were the Boggabri Kangaroos which outscored Moree Boars 30-24 at Jubilee Oval to secure their first two competition points of the season (full story page 14).

In Werris Creek on Saturday, Narrabri Blues’ right winger Harry Pattison crossed for two first-half tries which were both converted by halfback Todd Nichols.

The visitors entered the break leading 12-10 before they turned that two-point lead into a 12-point advantage less than 10 minutes into the second stanza following a double blow which was delivered in the form of four-pointers scored by centre Daniel Howe and hooker Jacob Nichols.

Todd Nichols was able to convert one of those two tries as Narrabri established a 22-10 lead.

Werris Creek hit back with a try through centre Riley Leonard, then Harlee Milgate made it a one-possession contest when he kicked his second conversion of the day to make the score 22-16.

However, Jacob Nichols ensured the Blues would return to Narrabri with the two points when he crossed late in the contest to make the final
score 22-16.

Blues captain-coach Jake Rumsby told The Courier that while Sunday’s victory was a rather ugly one, it highlighted the depth within the club’s senior roster.

The side went into the match without round one starters Hayden Bell (personal) and Sam Sadler (injury) as well as interchange duo Pete Wenner and Mitch Dening (injuries).

That forced Rumsby to reshuffle the side and make some unwanted but necessary changes to the opening round’s winning formula.

Centre Blake Hilderson started at five-eighth in place of Bell and Wenner, while Sadler’s back row partner Howe moved into centre to cover the hole left by Hilderson. Jock Small and Jacob Haynes formed a new-look back row partnership and Kalab Mcmillan started at lock where Small played in round one.

“Belly (Hayden Bell) was away at a wedding and we lost four blokes through injury either at training or throughout the weekend which didn’t help,” Rumsby said.

“But the blokes who stood in or played different positions to last week did a great job.

“It was pleasing the way our guys did what was asked of them.

“To us, none of the boys that played were filling in, anyone who is asked to play first grade for us is a part of the team and is expected to play well.

“The old saying is true – you need 30 players to win a competition.

“We are a close-knit club and we all have the same goal.

“Young Jacob Haynes is a perfect example, it was his first game of first grade for a long time and he started in the back row and held his own.

“Harry Pattison is another. I’m so pleased for him, he’s a good young kid. He trained very hard during the pre-season and hasn’t missed a training run and he’s getting the rewards now. He started off expecting to be a reserve grade player this year but he got his shot and he’s taken it with both hands.”

Rumsby described Sunday’s win as an ugly one but said that he was pleased to return home with the two competition points.

“It was ugly, sort of like the Moree win, very scrappy,” Rumsby said.

“It wasn’t the best conditions which led to a bit of dropped ball and those silly penalties we’ve been giving away continued to hurt us.

“We started well but like against Moree we lost our way. The first 20 minutes we had a good start but then we went back to the one out sort of stuff and lost our shape a bit.

“But we still managed to win and that gives us confidence.

“Narrabri over previous years probably lose that game but we are learning how to win ugly and you do need that.

“Once we get our full strength side back on the paddock in the next few weeks I’m excited to see what we can do.”

Rumsby led by example throughout the round two contest alongside his front row partner Daniel Jobson.

The captain-coach earned the three Group 4 best and fairest points but said that Jobson, who played the entire 80 minutes and picked up one point, deserved the accolades.

“When I found out I got the three points after the game I was surprised by it, Jobo was massive and definitely deserved it,” Rumsby said.

“He gets my players’ player vote almost every week, I love playing with him.

“Jobo, Howie (Daniel Howe) was big for me and Jacob Nichols played really well. Those three guys have consistently been three of the top players in Narrabri for a long time now and people are starting to recognise it.”

In the other matches played in Werris Creek on Sunday, Narrabri went down 20-0 in the ladies’ league tag contest, drew 24-all in under-18s and lost 22-16 in reserve grade.

The club now turns its attention to a round three Narrabri Shire derby against the Boggabri Kangaroos on Sunday afternoon at Collins Park.