Promising signs for Boggabri Kangaroos in Jubilee Oval trial match victory

By Geoff Newling

Boggabri and District Rugby league Football Club could not have trialled any better when it downed Gilgandra Panthers 42-34 at Jubilee Oval on Saturday.

The Kangaroos were without four regulars in Ben Haire, Willy Urquhart, Bailey Lennox and Ash White, but still had about 27 triallists.

Boggabri coach Shane Rampling was delighted to see Matt Avendano and Josh Trindall return from injuries they sustained last season.

Rampling was also quite impressed with the efforts of Rodney Lamb, Cliff Toomey, Liam Boyle and Kurt Wallace, who all signed on with the Kangaroos from the Narrabri Blues and debuted well.

Rampling singled out Wallace for extra praise.

“He played fullback in reserve grade last year for Narrabri but wants to have a crack at lock,” Rampling told Group 4 Media.

“We gave him a crack and he went real well. He’s quick off the mark and went well in the middle.”

The Boggabri club enjoyed the trial run against Gilgandra.

“They were a great bunch of blokes,” club president Greg Haire said.

“They had a great time.”

The Kangaroos were delighted with their trial, with the likes of Nic Millar and Nick Lyons excelling up front according to the club president who was also pleased with the minutes that Matt Avendano, Rob Doolan, Josh Trindall, Isaiah Adams and Kaylan Murray played in the win.

Another new face at the Kangaroos, Fijian Stino Penisoni, also impressed during the match with his powerful running.

He also scored an 80-metre try that was set up by Liam Doyle.

Another new addition, Cameron Kerr also impressed Rampling. The former Farrer student has returned to his hometown to work and play.

“He went well in the backrow, he’s fit and strong,” Rampling said.

“When we had Josh, Kaylan, Rob and Isaiah out there together we went really well.”

Rampling is also looking forward to more game time from big rugby union forward Lyons.

“He played a couple of games for us last year, on a Sunday,” he said.

“Hopefully he will play a lot more for us this year.”

The Kangaroos have one final trial at Guyra on Saturday, March 26, which Rampling will use to help finalise his team for its 2022 Group 4 Rugby League season opener against the Narrabri Blues on Saturday, April 9.

Meanwhile, fellow Group 4 Rugby League teams Gunnedah Bulldogs and Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters were also victorious in trial matches at the weekend.

Gunnedah hosted Group 21 side Singleton Greyhounds and scored a six tries to three win.

The Roosters were at home against Group 14’s Gulgong Terriers and won that game 28-14.