Narrabri Rugby Club’s Central North Rugby Union women’s competition premiership defence gathered even more momentum at Dangar Park on Saturday when the Blue Boars went 13 points clear of their closest rivals.
Narrabri went into the top-of-the-table round 12 clash against Gunnedah eight points ahead of their 2023 grand final opponents, who were the only team to have beaten the Blue Boars in 2024.
The Blue Boars made a statement when they beat the Red Devils 43-5.
The hosts managed to outscore their opponents seven tries to one and four goals to none to rise to 53 points and leave Gunnedah behind on 40.
The Red Devils actually dropped to third spot following their loss after the Tamworth Pirates prevailed 29-22 against Scone at Chillingworth Oval to join them on 40 points but climb over them into second.
Barraba (38) and Moree (31) both had byes on Saturday and remained fourth and fifth, while Scone (22) are still last on the six-team ladder.
At Dangar Park, Narrabri’s leading try-scorer Cassidy Morley carved up Gunnedah as she scored a hat-trick off the back of some unstoppable runs. She has now notched up 14 tries so far this year, leaving her two clear of teammates Shaine Maunder and Amelie Cobb-Johnson, who both crossed on Saturday to go to 12 alongside Gunnedah’s Holly Ford and the Pirates’ Shae Partridge.
Shona McFarland and Nat McInnes also scored a try each for the Blue Boars on Saturday and their captain Bella Cruickshank slotted four of seven conversions to add eight extra points off the boot.
The Blue Boars have won seven of their eight games this year and boast a remarkable for and against difference of 248. That total is so much more significant considering four of the six teams in the comp sit on negative totals and Tamworth’s is only 18.
The Mitch Creighton-coached team also became the first side in the 2024 CNRU women’s competition to have beaten all opponents this year with the round 12 win.
Narrabri will head off to Scone on Saturday for a first-versus-last battle against the Brumbies. The Blue Boars won 63-14 when those sides last met back in round four at Dangar Park.
The other round 13 fixtures will see Gunnedah host Moree and Tamworth travel to challenge Barraba.
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