Group 4 women victorious as Northern Region Tri-Series makes a long-awaited return

Group 4 Rugby League was victorious in one division and the runners-up in another two at Scully Park on Sunday when Northern Region of NSW Rugby League’s Tri-Series returned for the first time since 2019.

Group 4 went head-to-head with Group 21 and Group 19 during the day, with Group 21 taking out the men’s and under-18s divisions and Group 4 claiming the shield in the women’s division.

It was a super effort by the Group 4 women who won both of their tackle games despite their local competition being played under the league tag
format throughout the year.

Group 4 took on Group 19 in the first three games of the day and prevailed 16-14 in the under-18s match, 30-0 in the women’s clash and 40-6 in the men’s contest.

Group 21 then swept Group 19 as well with a 30-0 under-18s victory, a 26-8 win in the women’s division and a 44-12 win in the men’s division.

Those results meant that Group 4 and Group 21’s games against one another in the final three fixtures of the day were for first place.

Group 21 won the under-18s match as they outscored Group 4 30-10, but Group 4 then came out on top in the women’s game as they cruised past Group 21 by a scoreline of 20-0. Group 21 had the final say when they ran away with a dominant 44-6 win in the men’s match.

There were several Narrabri, Wee Waa and Boggabri faces that featured across Group 4’s three sides.

Boggabri Kangaroos’ Cassidy Morley and Wee Waa’s Bella Cruickshank, who does not play in the league tag competition but is Morley’s captain in the Narrabri Blue Boars’ women’s tens rugby side, lined up for Group 4 in the women’s division and were instrumental in their side’s success, both crossing for doubles in their first game of the day. Morley was named player of the game following that match.

Narrabri Blues trio Jack Anderson, Isaiah Cochrane and Declan Rooney all competed for Group 4’s under-18s side. Anderson also scored a double in their first game against Group 19.

Boggabri Kangaroos’ reserve grade coach and first grade front-rower Nick Millar lined up at prop for Group 4 in the men’s division and Narrabri’s Brenton Cochrane, who plays for the Moree Boars, was the side’s utility in the number 14 jersey. Both were solid as usual and Cochrane scored Group 4’s lone try in the deciding match against Group 21.

No Group 4 Rugby League matches were played last weekend due to the Tri-Series event. The season returns with round six games this weekend, with Boggabri Kangaroos to play away from home against the Werris Creek Magpies on Saturday while the Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters host the Moree Boars. Sunday’s games will see Wee Waa Panthers welcome Dungowan Cowboys and Narrabri Blues travel to play against North Tamworth Bears. Gunnedah Bulldogs will sit out with a bye.