Narrabri Rugby Club’s women’s 10s team finds form ahead of finals

Narrabri Rugby Club’s women’s 10s team returned to form in a big way on Saturday when it scored a sensational 89-7 victory away from home against Gunnedah.

The Blue Boars entered round 17 of the 2022 Central North Rugby Union campaign having only played twice in the past five weeks, both of which they had lost.

With just three defeats to its name in 12 matches this year, it was the only time Narrabri had lost back-to-back matches in 2022.

However, the Blue Boars put that well and truly behind them with an 82-point demolition of the side just one spot below them on the ladder.
They outscored Gunnedah 15 tries to one in that match and kicked seven conversions to one.

Narrabri’s skipper and leading try-scorer Toni Gale scored four of those tries, Brooke McKinnon crossed for a hat-trick, co-coach Kate Brown and Martha Harvey bagged a double each, and Shona McFarland, Natalia Smith, Kiara Harvey and April Smith all scored a try each.

The Blue Boars will play against Gunnedah again this Saturday in the 18th and final round of the regular season in front of a home crowd at Dangar Park before the finals series gets underway a week later.

Regardless of that result, Narrabri and Gunnedah will finish second and third on the ladder, respectively, after Pirates became minor premiers with a dominant victory in round 17.

The Tamworth-based side scored its 11th win of the campaign when it downed Barraba/Gwydir 70-0 away from home. That saw Pirates move to 80 points at the top of the table, eight clear of the second-placed Blue Boars.

Those two teams will meet in the women’s comp’s qualifying final on Saturday, September 2, which will be played in Gunnedah.

That venue was locked in at the completion of round 17 on Saturday after the Red Devils scored a 46-17 first grade win against Walcha Rams to secure their second consecutive minor premiership.

The Narrabri Blue Boars had a bye in first grade on Saturday and needed Walcha to win for a chance to have a crack at the top spot when they host Gunnedah in round 18.

However, the Blue Boars still have a lot to play for as they can drop as low as fourth if they lose this weekend and the third-placed Inverell Highlanders and the fourth-placed Pirates both win their respective matches.

One bonus point would guarantee the Narrabri side at least third place, but it will be going after a victory to ensure it joins Gunnedah in the qualifying final on September 3.

In second grade, Narrabri requires a minimum of two points from its round 18 clash against Gunnedah to hold onto fourth spot and earn a place in the August 27 elimination final.