Narrabri Blue Boars’ maiden Kookaburra Challenge Cup defence a successful one

One down, five to go.

Narrabri Rugby Club’s Kookaburra Challenge Cup defence got off to a red-hot start on Saturday in Scone when the Blue Boars defeated the Brumbies in round 12 of the 2023 Central North Rugby Union first grade campaign.

Jake Packer’s men won the contest 34-13 and earned all five points on offer after outscoring the home side six tries to two. Narrabri kicked two conversions as well and the Brumbies managed a penalty goal.

The match saw Narrabri defend the Kookaburra Challenge Cup for the first time after winning it a week prior during a round 11 home game against Walcha.

The Blue Boars have five games left in 2023 and they are determined to finish the season in possession of the cup.

It took the hosts about 10 minutes to find their feet in one of their longest away trips of the season and on what was a cold, windy day in the Hunter region town of Scone.

However, once they got going, they were too difficult to stop as the away team’s forward pack, in particular, overpowered the hosts.

Narrabri was dominant in the scrum and the backs were too sharp as they scored some classy tries off the back of the hard work of their middlemen.

Co-captain Will McDonnell was one of Narrabri’s best and he went over for a try either side of the half-time break. His brother Matt scored a try in his first start in the top grade this season, and their teammates Jydon Hill, Toby Knight and Packer also crossed for five-pointers. Knight kicked two conversions on the day.

Narrabri Rugby Club’s first XV coach Packer told The Courier that he was pleased with almost every aspect of his side’s performance.

“I thought it was really good today, the first half especially was brilliant,” he said.

“Everything that we’ve been working on in our attack, we put it together. We were crisp and direct.

“In the second half, we were a little bit lackadaisical. We could have used the wind a bit better, but once again, our defence held up. That’s what wins premierships, so I’m happy with that.”

Packer said that his side had made significant improvements in defence across the season, and a low tackle focus is now reaping the rewards.

The hosts struck first on Saturday when Dominic Moran went over down the left edge to make the score 5-0, but Narrabri hit back in the 11th minute when Knight crossed in the left corner to lock the score up at 5-all.

A 17th-minute penalty goal put Scone in front 8-5, but again Narrabri replied next and this time they edged ahead when Packer grounded in the right corner to make the score 10-8.

Scone was reduced to 14 men from the 28th minute to the 38th after prop Jordan Albury was yellow carded, and the Blue Boars made the home side pay as the McDonnell brothers Matt and Will scored a try each while their team had the numbers advantage.

Knight converted both of those tries to make the half-time score 24-8.

There were only three tries scored after half-time. Narrabri struck first eight minutes in through Jydon Hill to go ahead 29-8, and then Scone scored with eight minutes to go through Paul McTaggart to make it 29-8.

The visitors had the final say when Will McDonnell scored a runaway try off the back of a dominant Narrabri scrum to make the final score 34-13.

The Blue Boars are still sixth after their 21-point win but they cut the gap between themselves and fourth-placed Quirindi to just three points as the Lions went down 37-33 at home against Pirates on Saturday.

Narrabri is still one point behind Walcha after the Rams had a bye in the 12th round of the season.

Pirates’ win saw them jump above Gunnedah into first place after the Red Devils, who have sat at the top for the entire season, went down 30-17 away from home against third-placed Moree Bulls.

Pirates now have 53 points, while Gunnedah (50) and Moree (47) are close behind.

The Lions are six points back from the Moree Bulls on 41 as they round out the top four ahead of Walcha (39), the Narrabri Blue Boars (38), Inverell (23) and Scone (17).

Narrabri also scored a comfortable second grade win on Saturday when it beat Scone 36-12 after leading 14-5 at half-time.

The hosts scored first to go ahead 5-0 but Sam Kahl and Jim Schwager scored tries late in the first half, both of which were converted by Toby Keys.

Hamish Nolan crossed for the Blue Boars’ third just six minutes into the second stanza and Keys converted it.

That made the score 21-5, which then became 24-5 in the 49th minute when Keys nailed a penalty goal.

The goal-kicker iced the game with tries in the 55th and 60th minutes and he converted one of those to put the visitors in front 36-5.

Scone scored a consolation try right on full time and converted it to make the final score 36-12.

Narrabri’s second grade side is still ranked third on the ladder.

The two top-ranked sides also won on Saturday as first-placed Tamworth Pirates downed Quirindi Lions 28-24, and second-placed Moree Bulls beat Gunnedah 24-0.

Pirates moved to 57 points and lead Moree (51) and Narrabri (44) as well as the fourth-placed side Barraba (39) quite comfortably.

Barraba won convincingly in round 12 on Saturday when they took down Inverell Highlanders 47-0.

Last-placed Walcha had the round 12 bye.

Meanwhile, the Narrabri Blue Boars remained second on the women’s tens competition ladder after scoring a 40-10 victory against Scone with no players on the bench.