Kangaroos hop into the top four

Boggabri Kangaroos are back in the top four following a gritty 20-13 win against the Dungowan Cowboys away from home at Dungowan Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The Kangaroos had endured a tough start to the season, with six of their eight games across the first half of the campaign played away from home, but the win in the round nine clash was their fifth as they jumped to 12 competition points.

They entered the weekend just one win behind fourth-placed side Werris Creek, and the Magpies went down 30-18 away from home against North Tamworth, meaning Boggabri leaped over Werris Creek into fourth place on for and against difference.

The Kangaroos outscored the hosts four tries to two and both sides kicked two conversions each on Saturday.

Dungowan also kicked a field goal a minute out from the half-time break to make the score 10-7 in Boggabri’s favour going into half time.

The visitors charged out to an early 10-0 lead after winger Pita Rogosau and fullback Ash White scored inside the opening seven minutes.

White converted the second of those tries, which was his own.

Dungowan hit back through winger Noah Hooley in the 17th minute and Taylor added the extras, and it was Taylor who slotted the field goal just before the break.

The Cowboys struck first in the second stanza as centre Tevita Peceli scored their second try of the game and Taylor added the extras as the hosts went ahead for the first time.

They led 13-10 up until the 61st minute when Boggabri Kangaroos winger Josefa Goanduadua scored his side’s third try to put them back in front 14-13.

That became 20-13 with just seven minutes left to play in the contest as Ilaisa Kalokalodrau scored Boggabri’s fourth and White kicked his second conversion.

That was the way it remained when the full-time whistle sounded.

Boggabri’s coach Shane Rampling admitted it was nowhere near his side’s best performance, but he was happy that they found a way to win.

“We started off really well, jumped out of the blocks, led 10-0 and were sticking to the game plan, but we just started to go away from it,” Rampling told The Courier.

“We coughed up too many handling errors and got the basic stuff wrong like not playing the ball properly.

“We were doing the one per centers wrong, which kept inviting Dungowan back into the game.

“The conditions weren’t great but both teams had to deal with that.

“Lucky enough, we were able to find something and come away with the win.

“We were down in the second half but we scored two late tries to get the job done.

“The result was good but how we got it was disappointing.

“100 per cent it was great that we found a way to win. Last year I think we would have lost that game, so we have come a long way.

“While it was great we found a way to win, but we’ve got to learn how to stay out in front when we get in front.”

Boggabri also won the reserve grade game after outscoring the home side 20-16, but Dungowan won the ladies league tag game 58-0.

The Kangaroos will be back at home at Jubilee Oval this Sunday when they host North Tamworth in round 10.