Blue Boars women receive a forfeit from Barraba in round 14

Narrabri Rugby Club had the day off in all three grades on Saturday in the 14th round of the 2024 Central North Rugby Union campaign.

The Blue Boars sat out in both first and second grade with byes but were scheduled to travel to Barraba to take on the Rams in the women’s tens competition. However, Barraba were unable to field a team and Narrabri prevailed by forfeit.

That result saw the Blue Boars end the weekend 15 points clear at the top of the table after they had entered round 14 with a 13-point advantage.  They are now on 63 points while Gunnedah and Tamworth are both locked on 48 after the Red Devils drew 27-all at home against Scone while Pirates sat out with a bye.

Fifth-placed Moree also had a bye, which saw them climb to 35 points to go within striking distance of fourth-placed Barraba (38). Last-placed Scone Brumbies (25) also narrowed the gap between themselves and the top four.

Narrabri can go an extra point clear at the top of the table this weekend when they challenge Barraba away from home in round 15. Gunnedah and the Pirates both have a bye, so if Narrabri can score a bonus point win, they will go 16 points clear of their two closest rivals.

The other round 15 match will see Scone host Moree.

There were three first grade games played on Saturday during round 14 of the CNRU season and it was Moree, Pirates and Scone who were winners. The Bulls extended their lead at the top of the table from four points to five over Narrabri after they defeated fourth-placed Quirindi Lions 29-12 at Weebolla Oval.

The Moree men are now on 63 points and Narrabri are next best with 58, eight clear of Pirates (50) after the Tamworth side downed Inverell 36-15 at Chillingworth Oval.

The other round 14 contest was played in Gunnedah where the hosts went down 33-28 against the Scone Brumbies.

Those three results saw Quirindi (41), Inverell (39), Gunnedah (30) and Scone (26) all remain ranked fourth to seventh, respectively.

Narrabri will sit out with another bye in round 15, as will Inverell and Gunnedah, while Scone host Moree and Tamworth travel to Quirindi.

There were two second grade games played in round 14 and they were both won by away sides as Scone took down Gunnedah 27-15 and Quirindi outscored Moree 35-12.

The other match was a forfeit that saw Tamworth earn the points from Inverell, while Narrabri and Barraba both had byes.

Those results saw Moree remain on top of the table with 61 points, but only just, as Quirindi moved a point behind them on 60. Pirates (58) and Narrabri (50) round out the top four, while Scone (30), Barraba (25), Inverell (21) and Gunnedah (18) are ranked fifth to eighth, respectively.

Narrabri will travel to Barraba on Saturday for a round 15 meeting with the Rams, while Scone host Moree and Quirindi welcome Pirates. Moree and Gunnedah will both sit out with byes.