Narrabri Blue Boars and Moree Bulls contest a draw

It’s a rivalry like no other in Central North Rugby Union and it delivered again at Dangar Park on Saturday as the Narrabri Blue Boars and Moree Bulls contested a 25-all draw in round 13 of the first grade campaign.

Unlike the 36-all draw the two sides contested at the same venue in July last year when Linton Grumley scored on the bell and Toby Knight converted to equalise, it was Moree that struck late this time around.

The Blue Boars were leading 25-22 in the final minute of the game after they had trailed 22-12 at half-time, and they were desperately attempting to keep the visitors out.

However, they conceded a penalty while in possession of the ball about 30 metres out and the Bulls opted to take a shot at the three points to tie the game up.

Their fly-half Ben Williams slotted it as the sides were forced to settle for two competition points each.

While he was disappointed to have drawn the winnable match, Narrabri Rugby Club’s first grade coach Jake Packer told The Courier that he was quite happy with the way his team performed on the day.

“We were very good. I’m actually very impressed,” he said.

“Obviously, there are still a few things we still need to work on, but I thought it was a very good game and we are building very well. I’m happy.

“The game was a bit back and forth, and I think in the first half, it was a case of whoever got in their half scored a try.

“They found us out a little bit on the open side. We didn’t number up on a couple of occasions there in defence, and they took advantage of that.

“We were massive in the second half though, I thought.

“They had a lot more opportunities than what we did to win the game. I think they had a lot of ball down in their attacking half, especially in the second half.

“The opportunities we got, we took advantage of, but we didn’t have a lot of opportunities.

“We did a lot of defending in our own half in that game, and it was a monumental defensive effort by us to keep Moree away on numerous occasions.

“I was very pleased with our fight and our resilience.”

The Blue Boars were missing three key forwards in Josh Schwager, Joe Maunder and Will Turner.

Jed Brennan and Jake Sevil replaced Maunder and Turner at the front of the scrum and Packer was pleased with the way they both rose to the challenge, as they have done on many occasions throughout the campaign.

“Jed and Jake were massive for us,” Packer said.

“They both played unreal games.”

The Blue Boars opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the match when Nathan Nott crossed for a try and Toby Knight added the extras with a successful conversion to make the score 7-0.

Moree levelled the score up at 7-all in the 10th minute when Williams converted an Asesela Ravuvu try, but Narrabri led again in the 18th minute when prop Will Ciesiolka powered his way over after a lineout.

The Blue Boars’ 12-7 lead became a 14-12 deficit just five minutes later when Duncan Woods scored Moree’s second try and Williams converted it, and then the fly-half slotted a penalty goal in the 27th minute to kick his side out to a 17-12 advantage.

Ravuvu then crossed for his second try of the game in the 31st minute to make the score 22-12, which was the way it remained at half-time.

Narrabri came out full of intent in the second half, and they levelled the score up at 22-all in the 58th minute when Knight kicked a penalty goal just six minutes after the winger had gone over the only try of the second stanza and converted it.

Narrabri hit the lead again with just seven minutes remaining in the game through another Knight penalty goal, but Williams broke Blue Boars hearts late when he made the score 25-all with a penalty goal on the bell.

The Narrabri men retained the Kookaburra Challenge Cup as a result of that draw, which they have now held for three rounds since they won it off Walcha in round 11, and they also finished the weekend four points outside the top four.

They moved to 40 competition points to sit one behind fifth-placed Quirindi (41) after the Lions lost 54-14 against Gunnedah Red Devils, and four behind round 13 winners Walcha after the Rams downed Scone 36-26.

Walcha (44 points) rounds out the top four behind Tamworth Pirates (58), Gunnedah (55) and Moree (49).

Pirates had the bye in round 13 to remain three points clear at the top of the table, and Inverell Highlanders also had a bye. They are seventh on 28 points, 10 clear of Scone (18).

Narrabri Blue Boars will hit the road to defend the Kookaburra Challenge Cup for a third time this Saturday when they challenge the Quirindi Lions. Packer’s men can finish the round in fourth place if they get the job done and Walcha loses its away clash against Moree.

The other round 14 contest will see Inverell host Tamworth, while Gunnedah and Scone both have byes.