Moree stretch their undefeated streak to eight games after holding out fast finishing Boggabri

Boggabri Kangaroos put up a brave fight at Boughton Oval on Sunday but the Moree Boars were just too good as they prevailed 34-18 to extend their undefeated winning streak to eight games in the eighth round of Group 4 Rugby League’s first grade campaign.

The match was initially scheduled to be contested at Jubilee Oval, where Boggabri were set to host their annual ladies’ day event, but the wet weather that hammered the north west region from Friday onwards made the venue unplayable and led to the two sides agreeing to meet at Moree.

The Boars outscored Boggabri six tries to four and five goals to one to earn the two points and ensure they remain on top of the ladder heading into the second half of the season.

The Moree men have won all eight of their matches so far this season a combined 372 points to 120, and they will sit out with the round nine bye after this weekend’s King’s Birthday long weekend break.

The Boggabri Kangaroos gained the early ascendancy on Sunday when skipper Matt Gillham scored the first try of the day and his fullback Ash White nailed the conversion.

They led 6-0 for 15 minutes, but a swift double and two conversions saw Moree ahead 12-6 in the 27th minute. It was Brent McDonald and Dereik Newman who scored those tries and Steven McIntosh who slotted both goals before their teammate Jake Tighe continued the onslaught with the Boars’ third try when he crossed in the 38th minute before McIntosh added the extras again to make the score 18-6 at half-time.

Moree struck first in the second half when Newman went in for his second try of the contest in the 51st minute, but the Kangaroos bounced back with three quick tries just after the hour-mark as Epeli Vulaserau (61st), Aaron Hobden (64th) and Andrew Wallace (67th) all scored.

That cut Moree’s lead to just four points as they found themselves in front 22-18. However, the hosts went ahead by 10 when Lachlan McGrady scored their fifth try of the contest in the 74th minute and McIntosh kicked the conversion. They then sealed the deal when Jack Mitchell scored in the final minute and McIntosh added the extras to make the final score 34-18.

The Boggabri Kangaroos’ first grade coach Shane Rampling thought the two points were there for the taking and admitted his side switched off when it mattered most.

“It was 22-18 with six minutes to go and we went to sleep,” Rampling told Group 4 Media.

“We competed so well for much of the game. Just dropped our intensity for two or three minutes a few times, and we bombed three or four tries too. We dropped the ball over the line twice and were penalised for a double movement another time. That just let the pressure off.

“But we also have a lot of positives to take out of today too.”

McIntosh earned the three Group 4 best and fairest points after producing a standout performance for the Boars, and his teammate McGrady, who Rampling said had impressed him most, picked up one.

The two points went to Boggabri’s lock Jake Byrne, who Rampling also commended.

“Jake Byrne had a big game at lock. Had a huge game for us,” Rampling told Group 4 Media.

“Matt Gillham was his usual busy self and Malakai Kovekalou had a big game up front too.”

The loss saw Boggabri slip from fourth to fifth on the Group 4 Rugby League first grade ladder. They are on 10 points following four wins, one bye and three losses so far this season, leaving them level with fourth-placed Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters and two points behind second-placed North Tamworth Bears and third-placed Werris Creek Magpies. Moree are first on 16 points.

At the other end of the table, the Dungowan Cowboys (6), Gunnedah Bulldogs (4), Narrabri Blues (2) and Wee Waa Panthers (2) make up the bottom four.

Werris Creek beat Dungowan 44-6 on home soil at David Taylor Oval in the only other match played in round eight as games at Kootingal Sportsground and Kitchener Park were all postponed due to the wet weather, meaning Kootingal-Moonbi, North Tamworth, Gunnedah and Wee Waa all now have a game in hand.

Narrabri Blues had the bye in round eight and picked up their first points of the season. That saw them leapfrog Wee Waa into eighth, the team that they will play against in round nine when the season resumes following the long weekend.

The other round nine fixtures see Boggabri travel to Dungowan, North Tamworth welcome Werris Creek and Kootingal-Moonbi host Gunnedah.

Moree have the round nine bye and will remain at least four points clear at the top of the table.

In the two other matches played at Boughton Oval on Sunday, Boggabri went down 46-10 in reserve grade and 24-14 in ladies league tag.

Lilly Dow, Bianca Pye and Cassidy Morley scored a try each for the Roos in the ladies’ game. Morley also kicked their conversion and was awarded two Group 4 best and fairest points.

Ashley Gough and Rodney Lamb claimed the Kangaroos’ two tries in reserve grade and Clayton Bruce kicked their conversion. Teammate Matt Avendano was awarded two Group 4 best and fairest points.