Boggabri Kangaroos keep slim first grade finals hopes alive with victory against Narrabri

Boggabri Kangaroos are still in the first grade finals hunt, but only just as they beat the Narrabri Blues 38-18 at Collins Park on Sunday in round 12 of Group 4 Rugby League’s 2023 season.

It was a similar story for the Blues as they started strong but fell away in the second half.

Josh Trindall’s men led 18-12 at the half-time break as Damon Gleeson, Keegan Richardson, Aiden Butcher and Robert Condran all scored a try each and their captain-coach kicked a conversion.

However, Boggabri charged home to score all of the 26 second half points to secure the two competition points with a 20-point victory.

The visitors ran in eight tries on the day, which were scored by Liam Doyle, Robert Doolan, Thomas Bruce, Kaylan Murray, Chris Anderson, Matt Gillham, Aaron Hobden and Andrew Wallace.

Murray added six extra points off the boot via three conversions.

Kangaroos coach Shane Rampling was pleased with the way his men responded in the second stanza after their half-time team talk.

“We addressed a few things,” he told Group 4 Media.

“We spoke about having better lateral movement in defence.

“Our first contact was poor as well, and our marker defence was pretty ordinary.”

“While we had a disappointing first half, we were able to put them under a bit of pressure and our defence was a lot better (in the second half).”

Rampling also praised the Narrabri Blues, who are coached by a former Boggi Roo.

“Narrabri played pretty well in that first half,” he said of Trindall’s Blues to Group 4 Media.

“We took them a bit too lightly and couldn’t get a flow on.

“They took their chances, ran harder and tackled harder than us and had their confidence up.

“They are a good side and are only getting better,”

“If they stick it out they will make a good side.”

Other results did not go Boggabri’s way on Saturday in round 12 as the North Tamworth Bears and Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters both won.

Norths beat Werris Creek Magpies 38-16 at Jack Woolaston Oval to move to third place on 16 points, while the Roosters won 54-6 away from home against the Gunnedah Bulldogs at Kitchener Park to move to 14 points in fifth place.

In between those two winners are the Magpies, which are now fourth on 15 points.

Boggabri is sixth on 12 points after scoring its first away win of the season on Sunday and must win its last two games of the regular season to reach the finals, while also relying on the sides ahead to lose theirs.

Kootingal-Moonbi plays against the Magpies this Saturday in round 13, which makes things extra tricky for the Kangaroos, but they just need to focus on getting the job done in their last home game of the year against the Moree Boars at Jubilee Oval.

The top-ranked Boars’ undefeated streak was snapped at home against Dungowan Cowboys on Saturday as the second-placed Cowboys ran away with a 58-28 victory.

Moree will now certainly be hoping to bounce back in round 13.

Narrabri will take on Gunnedah in the John Dallas Donnelly Cup match at Collins Park on Sunday.