Boggabri Kangaroos kick on and secure third win of the season

By Geoff Newling

A brilliant first half underpinned Boggabri and District Rugby League Football Club’s 34-20 Group 4 Rugby League first grade win over Dungowan Cowboys on Saturday.

The Roos led 24-8 at half-time in front of a Jubilee Oval home crowd which enabled the side to post its third win of the season and remain just two points back from the top four.

“The first half was brilliant,” Boggabri coach Shane Rampling told Group 4 Media after the game.

“The best we’ve played all year. We minimised our mistakes and had real good go forward. We defended really well and shifted the ball well.

“We had the wind at our backs in the second half too but we got away from what we’d done well in the first half in the second half.

“Our last 15 (minutes) was pretty ordinary and we let Dungowan back into the game.”

Dungowan outscored Boggabri 12-10 in the second, with captain-coach Shaun Ferguson leading the way.

He and prop Jason Allwood were strong for the visitors with winger Blair Maloney and Pat Lange both scoring two tries.

Boggabri had plenty of stars with prop Nic Millar outstanding up front, halfback Kaylan Murray scoring three tries and Jack Gillham at lock.

“Jack was our players player,” Rampling said.

“I gave him the opportunity to play lock and he grabbed it with both hands. Kaylan was great, [as were] Isaiah (Adams), Rob (Doolan) and Nic.

“Matty Gillham was dangerous too and got us on the front foot,” Rampling said of the Roos captain and hooker.

“It was a really good effort from everyone, just as shame we let it slip the last 15 minutes.”

To go with Murray’s hat-trick on Saturday were tries scored by Doolan, Millar, Cameron Lewington and Matthew Avendano. Doolan also kicked two conversions while Murray slotted another two-pointer.

Millar claimed the three Group 4 Rugby League best and fairest points and Murray earned one.

The other round seven matches were won by Moree Boars, Kootingal Roosters and Narrabri Blues.

Moree edged out Werris Creek Magpies 26-24 at Boughton Oval on Saturday, then the following day Kootingal smashed the Gunnedah Bulldogs 48-6 at Kootingal Oval and Narrabri scored a 24-22 golden point win against North Tamworth Bears.

Boggabri has now won two of its past three matches and will go in search of back-to-back victories for the first time in 2021 when it travels to Gunnedah this Saturday.

The Kangaroos and the Bulldogs have already met once this season when Gunnedah won 24-20 at Jubilee Oval in round one.

This Saturday will see the clubs compete in the third annual Boyde Campbell Cup charity match.

They have both accumulated six first grade points each this season following three wins and four draws during the first half of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Boggabri’s reserve grade and ladies’ league tag teams were both downed by Dungowan in round seven.

The ladies’ league tag game kicked off the day at Jubilee Oval as the visitors claimed a 24-0 victory. Boggabri’s Sophie Hendrie polled one Group 4 Rugby League best and fairest point in her team’s loss.

The club’s reserve grade side then lost 38-10. Ray Stahn and Darren Certoma scored a try each for the hosts.