Narrabri Blue Boars turn their attention to the CNRU finals series

Narrabri Rugby Club has qualified for the Central North Rugby Union finals series in all grades for the second time in as many years following another memorable season for the Blue Boars’ players, coaches and officials.

The club’s first grade side locked in a second-place finish during the 18th and final round of the 2024 regular season on Saturday when they scored a 29-24 victory over Tamworth Pirates on home soil at Dangar Park.

That win saw them earn a chance to play for the right to host this year’s CNRU grand finals when they travel to Weebolla Oval to take on the Moree Bulls in the qualifying semi-final this Saturday.

The Blue Boars finished on 69 points following nine wins, three losses and six byes, and having also earned nine bonus points, while Moree’s 10 wins, two losses, six byes and 13 bonus points saw them finish eight points clear at the top with 77 points.

Narrabri’s women’s team secured their second consecutive tens minor premiership several weeks ago and they ended the regular season with a bang on Saturday as they downed the Pirates 39-12 to finish 13 points clear at the top of the table.

They won 10 games, lost two, had six byes and earned 13 bonus points as they finished on 78 points. They also ended the regular season with a for and against difference of 335, which was 302 greater than the team with the next best figure in that category, the Pirates.

Gunnedah placed second on the women’s ladder with 65 points and will now challenge the Blue Boars in Moree this Saturday in what will be their first finals series meeting since Narrabri beat the Red Devils in the 2023 decider at Chillingworth Oval.

In second grade, the Narrabri Blue Boars finished fourth on the ladder with 61 points following eight wins, six losses and four byes this year, and having also earned 12 bonus points.

They ended the regular season 11 points behind their minor semi-final opponents, Tamworth, who they will play at the Pirates’ home ground on Sunday, and 18 points short of minor premiers Moree.

The Blue Boars lost 34-20 against the Pirates in round 18 on Saturday.

Moree will take on second-placed Quirindi in the second grade major semi at Weebolla Oval on Saturday, and the minor semi-finals that do not involve Narrabri in Tamworth on Sunday will see the Pirates challenge Inverell in first grade and Barraba in the women’s tens competition.