Blue Boars the victors in do or die preliminary final thriller

Narrabri Rugby Club has secured its place in the Central North Rugby Union grand final following a cliffhanger Dangar Park preliminary final on Saturday.

Tensions were high in the battle between the Blue Boars and the Tamworth Pirates, with the final place against Gunnedah in this weekend’s epic season-ending game at stake.

The Blue Boars were the first to hit the scoreboard with a penalty goal to Toby Knight in the 12th minute.

A penalty try was awarded to the Blue Boars at the 39th minute following a yellow card issued to the Pirates.

Jacob Nichols soon dived over the line to claim the Blue Boars’ first try of the day, which was followed by a conversion by Toby Knight, giving the Blue Boars a 17-0 lead at the half-time siren.

The Pirates ramped up their scoring efforts in the second half, with tries to Conrad Starr and Jayden Kitchener-Waters and two conversions to Brendan Rixon. The Pirates chipped away at the margin until the Blue Boars led 17-14.

A Jydon Hill try took the scoreboard to 22-14 in the Blue Boars’ favour.

The Pirates hit the board at the 78th minute with a try to Alexander Franklin taking the score to 22-19, however, a conversion by Rixon was unsuccessful.

While the Pirates attempted to take control of the ball in the dying minutes of Saturday’s preliminary final, it was too little, too late.

A thrilling home-ground final gave the jubilant Blue Boars crowd what it wanted and more.

For first grade coach Jake Packer and his side, the thrilling Dangar Park victory against the four-time consecutive premiership-winning Pirates was an exciting one.

Packer told The Courier he was happy with his side’s ability to handle the pressure on the day.

“It shouldn’t be underestimated how big a win that is,” he said of the Blue Boars’ triumph over the Pirates.

Attention now turns to this weekend’s grand final against the Gunnedah Red Devils.

“We are battle ready,” Packer said.

“A big thing for the Red Devils is the pressure on them for having a home grand final.

“They haven’t had a do or die game yet.”