Group 4 minor premiership race heats up as Moree hits the front

Group 4 Rugby League’s first grade competition is gearing up for a thrilling final fortnight as five teams continue to battle for the four finals spots and the minor premiership, and one team remains hopeful of scoring their first win of the campaign.

Just one point separates first from fifth following last weekend’s round 12 results. Werris Creek Magpies and Boggabri Kangaroos entered the weekend locked at the top on 17 points, but both teams suffered losses as a new leader emerged and Boggabri became the third team in four rounds to drop from second to fifth.

The Kangaroos’ six-game winning streak was snapped on Sunday when they were beaten 44-12 in front of a home crowd at Jubilee Oval by the Moree Boars, a day after Werris Creek went down 17-16 in extra time to the North Tamworth Bears to finally be dethroned after leading the ladder for most of the season.

The other match on Saturday was also a tight one as Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters won 18-16 away from home against Dungowan Cowboys, and the winless Wee Waa Panthers then suffered a 64-4 loss against the Gunnedah Bulldogs at Kitchener Park on Sunday.

Moree’s victory saw them overtake Boggabri and Werris Creek to finish the weekend on top of the table in first place, while Gunnedah and North Tamworth joined the Magpies and Roos on 17 points as the race to the finals somehow got even tighter.

For and against difference now has Gunnedah ranked second, Norths third, Werris Creek fourth and Boggabri fifth heading into the penultimate round this weekend.

There is a super Saturday in store for round 13 as Moree host Norths at Boughton Oval while Gunnedah welcome Boggabri to Kitchener Park. Those four sides will be fighting to improve their chances of winning the minor premiership and also their chances of a top-two finish to keep their home grand final hopes alive.

In Gunnedah, the Bulldogs and Kangaroos will also be facing off in the annual Boyde Campbell Cup, an annual match between the two clubs that honours the memory of the late Boyde Campbell, a much-loved young man who played for both clubs and was tragically lost in 2017. The match brings the two communities together to raise important awareness for mental health and to support each other both on and off the field.

Those Saturday games are also important for all four teams as Werris Creek are expected to bounce back from three straight losses when they travel to take on the Roosters at Kootingal Sportsground the next day.

Also on Sunday, the Wee Waa Panthers will go in search of their first win of the season when they travel to Dungowan Sportsground to tackle the Cowboys. Wee Waa cannot avoid the wooden spoon this year but are determined to finish the campaign on a high and take some momentum into 2026.