Blue Boars knocked out in first and second grade

Narrabri Rugby Club’s 2023 first and second grade campaigns came to an end in Moree on Saturday as the Blue Boars came up short in both of their elimination final matches.

They went down 34-12 against the Moree Bulls in first grade and 20-10 against the Barraba Rams in second grade.

In first grade, Moree stormed away to a 17-0 half-time lead with a penalty goal and a pair of converted tries in the first 40 minutes, and they went over for another converted try three minutes into the second stanza to make the score 24-0.

That became 24-5 just before the hour-mark when Jacob Nichols went over for Narrabri’s first try of the day, but the Bulls hit back with a fourth converted try in the 62nd minute to go ahead 31-5.

Jack Maunder crossed for Narrabri’s second try five minutes later and Todd Nichols added the extras to make the score 31-12, but Narrabri was unable to score again, and Moree sealed the win with a 77th-minute penalty goal.

In reserve grade, Narrabri went into the half-time break down 7-0 after a 16th-minute converted try was the difference.

The Rams scored another converted try and then a penalty goal in quick succession after the break to lead 17-0, but Narrabri hit back through Jim Schwager, whose try made the score 17-5.

Barraba kicked another penalty goal with 13 minutes to go, but Schwager scored his second try four minutes later to reduce Narrabri’s deficit to 10 points.

However, they were unable to score any more points after that.

The women’s tens comp elimination final was won 31-12 by the Tamworth Pirates as the Scone Brumbies’ season also came to an end.

The winning sides will now play in the preliminary finals on September 9 when they meet the losers of this Saturday’s qualifying finals.