Boggabri Kangaroos boosted their reserve grade finals hopes with a hard-fought victory against Moree Boars in round 12 of the Group 4 Rugby League campaign on Sunday.
The Kangaroos had won five of their first eight games but were on a three-game losing streak, and were at risk of dropping out of the top four with a loss.
However, they rose to the occasion in front of a home crowd at Jubilee Oval and took down the second-placed side 26-20 to remain in fourth place, the highest they can finish on the ladder this year.
The Kangaroos struck first as Jayde Campbell crossed for the game’s opening try in the second minute, and the two sides went try for try before the half-time siren sounded as the Roos entered the break with a 10-8 lead.
Lepani Banuve went over four minutes into the second stanza for Boggabri and Sitino Penisoni crossed 10 minutes later to give the Kangaroos a commanding lead.
Josh Trindall converted both of those tries to kick Boggabri out to a 22-8 advantage with 22 minutes to play.
Moree managed two converted tries in the second stanza, but they were split by Banuve’s second try of the contest in the 62nd minute as Boggabri prevailed 26-20.
Next up for the Kangaroos is an away trip to Gunnedah this Saturday. With three teams breathing down their neck, a win is crucial at Kitchener Park in round 13.
The Bulldogs are two points behind Boggabri on the ladder as they sit locked on 10 points with the fifth-placed Kootingal-Moonbi and seventh-placed North Tamworth Bears.
At the other end, Werris Creek (19), Moree (17) and Dungowan (16) make up the competition’s top three and are all out of Boggabri’s reach.
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