Narrabri Blue Boars defeat the Gunnedah Red Devils to join them in the first grade qualifying final

Central North Rugby Union’s grand final day could return to Dangar Park for the first time since 2014 this year after Narrabri Rugby Club’s first XV booked their spot in the September 3 qualifying final with a huge scalp on Saturday.

The Blue Boars went into the round 18 contest against the Gunnedah Red Devils ranked second on the ladder, and they were well aware that a loss against the minor premiers could have seen them drop to fourth place, depending on other results.

However, Jake Packer’s men made sure that could not happen as they scored a 25-19 victory against the Red Devils to lock up second place and enter the finals series in fine form.

25-19 was also the scoreline that the Blue Boars won their most recent home grand final by back in 2014 when they beat the Tamworth Pirates, and Packer told The Courier that they were determined to bring the big dance back to Narrabri in 2022.

They can do that if they win the qualifying final on September 3.

However, they will be forced to go through the preliminary final against either Inverell or Pirates for a shot at the grand final in Gunnedah if they lose that game.

“Everyone’s buzzing,” Packer said.

“The boys were buzzing and the crowd was buzzing after the game. Everyone’s excited, knowing there’s that chance for another home grand final here.

“Home advantage is playing a big part this year (between the top four teams).

“We want the home grand final, but we know that it’s going to be tough in Gunnedah (in the qualifying final). We know we are not going to get the same Gunnedah team. They’ll be a lot better, especially being at home.

“We’re hoping to take a supporters’ bus to get some Narrabri people over there to give us a boost and help us get the win.”

Packer said that the home crowd played a huge role in his side’s victory in round 18 on Saturday.

“Definitely,” he replied when asked if the top-of-the-table clash had a finals-like atmosphere to it.

“We went into this game as though our finals campaign was starting this week, and the crowd showed that.

“It was a good game, and you could definitely tell it was the top two teams playing each other, and the crowd loved it.”

Both sides scored three tries each and converted two of those in the top-of-the-table clash. However, two penalties goals scored by the home side turned out to be the difference.

Packer said that he was pleased with the way his side played in the must-win match against Gunnedah after it was forced to deal with a disjointed week of training due to a number of players being away at the Australian Cotton Conference.

The Narrabri Blue Boars established an early 3-0 lead when Toby Knight slotted a fifth-minute penalty goal.

Gunnedah then hit the lead in the 12th minute when Cameron Mitchell scored in the left corner to make the score 5-3, but the visitors only led for six minutes as a Jydon Hill try in the 18th minute put the home side ahead 8-5.

The Blue Boars would not trail again for the remainder of the match.

Felix Cobb-Johnson scored his ninth top-grade try of the 2022 campaign in the 24th minute, which Toby Knight converted to make the score 15-5.

Knight then slotted his side’s second penalty goal of the game in the 36th minute, which made the score 18-5 at half-time.

Daniel Kahl was first to score in the second stanza when he crossed the stripe on the hour-mark, and Knight then extended the advantage to 20 points with his second conversion.

However, the 25-5 lead quite quickly became 25-19 after Gunnedah teammates Tim McDermott and James Perrett crossed in the 64th and 66th minutes, which Perrett converted.

While the Blue Boars were unable to answer with points of their own, they kept Gunnedah scoreless during the final 13 minutes of the contest to hold on and win 25-19.

A sensational Sam Knight chase and tackle with about two minutes to go was compared by Packer to a grand final-winning play, which highlighted Narrabri’s late defensive resolve.

The other two round 18 matches were both won by top four sides. Inverell Highlanders locked in third spot with a 43-29 victory against the sixth-placed Quirindi Lions, while the fourth-placed Tamworth Pirates demolished the last-placed Scone Brumbies 82-0.

The Highlanders will now host the Pirates in the first grade elimination final this Saturday. The winner of that match will advance to the September 10 preliminary final, and the loser will be eliminated.