Spectators at Narrabri Rugby Club’s annual ladies day event at Dangar Park on Saturday were treated to a brilliant game of women’s tens rugby as Narrabri Blue Boars and Gunnedah Red Devils met in a top-of-the-table Central North Rugby Union round nine clash.
It was the visitors that got the job done as the Gunnedah side prevailed 10-7.
Madisan Rogers opened the scoring with a try to give Gunnedah a 5-0 lead in the first quarter, which was the way it remained at half-time.
Bella Cruickshank equalised with a try in the third quarter and the Blues Boars’ captain Toni Gale kicked the hosts out to a 7-5 lead.
Narrabri went into the final break with that two-point lead, but the hosts went behind 10-7 late in the fourth quarter when Emerson Barr scored the match-winning try as Gunnedah became the first team this season to beat the Blue Boars.
Despite his side going down on the day, Narrabri Blue Boars’ co-coach Mick Coffey was proud of the way his team played.
“It was a good game to be a part of,” Coffey said.
“We had opportunities there and they just didn’t pan out for us.
“We had a bit of a slow start but got into the groove.
“I said to the girls, I thought they played a really mature and patient style of football and they recognised the fact that they were going to be in a dogfight the whole game, and rather than push frantically to score off every play, they stuck to the structure really well.
“We made a couple of good breaks, but Gunnedah were good enough to pull us up.
“While it’s disappointing to lose, at the same time, there honestly wasn’t much to be down about because the effort was outstanding from everyone across the park.
“We just missed out on the choccies in the end, but we’ve only dropped one game in a whole round.
“We’re still in a good spot.”
The Blue Boars’ co-coach thought Gerri Cruckshank was outstanding in that match.
“Gerri had probably the game of her life. She was outstanding,” said Coffey.
“I don’t think she missed a tackle all day.
“She played wing and halfback and did great at both.”
The Blue Boars and Red Devils went into round nine locked on 39 points having won six games each and having both claimed five bonus points each.
Gunnedah moved three points clear with the victory as it picked up four competition points, while Narrabri earned one, which was a bonus point for losing by less than seven.
The Blue Boars now have back-to-back weekends off with byes and will not play again until Saturday, July 8, when they travel to Scone.
Meanwhile, ladies’ day was a huge success off the field.
Coffey is the Narrabri Rugby Club’s president as well as the women’s co-coach. He said that he was thrilled with the ladies’ day event.
“It was a huge success,” he said.
“The function was great and we had lots of good feedback that we got the balance right, with it being a really enjoyable function but not at all over the top.
“There was good food and good drinks, the ladies dressed up, and the decorations set it off.
“Everyone there really enjoyed themselves.
“The band was unreal too. Wait For Green was amazing for young kids. I think their booking sheet will fill up really quick. Everyone was absolutely raving about them.”
Later in the day in round nine on Saturday, Narrabri Rugby Club won the second grade game 22-7 but went down 42-12 in first grade.
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