Narrabri Blue Boars’ first grade side ensured the club’s 60th-anniversary milestone year will get the finale that is so very much deserves as they beat the Moree Bulls 33-30 in Saturday’s Central North Rugby Union major semi-final to lock in a Dangar Park grand final day.
That semi-final clash was played at Weebolla Oval after the Bulls claimed this year’s minor semi-final, and the hosts almost scored what would have been a remarkable comeback win as they piled on four tries in the final 20 minutes.
But in the end, Narrabri were simply too good as they secured a grand final on home soil for the first time since 2014.
Moree took an early lead in the 17th minute when their five-eighth Ben Williams slotted a penalty goal. Despite finding themselves behind on the scoreboard, Narrabri viewed that as a mini victory after Moree had won a handful of penalties in quick succession, but the sensational Blue Boars defence held the hosts out and forced them into opting to go for goal.
Will McDonnell entered the match having scored in his sides’ last four games of the regular season and the Blue Boars’ skipper struck again as he crossed in the 29th minute for the first try of the game when he went over in the left corner after Jydon Hill broke the line and passed to McDonnell who was supporting on the outside.
Todd Nichols kicked the conversion to make the score 7-3, and less than two minutes later the scoreboard read 14-3 after McDonnell scored another try and Nichols added the extras. This time McDonnell broke the line himself before he rounded the Bulls’ fullback Mitchell Adams and dived over to score.
The Blue Boars took that 11-point lead into the half-time break but it was cut to eight just five minutes into the second stanza when Moree opted to go for goal from a penalty again and Williams made no mistake.
Narrabri scored their third try of the contest in the 48th minute when Charlie Turner turned some brilliant pressure into points with a strong carry from close range just inside the left sideline. Nichols converted it to make the score 21-6, which became 26-6 in the 58th minute when the Blue Boars’ halfback Charlie Radford chipped in with a try after making a supporting run and receiving a pass on the inside from Hamish Nolan after the flanker had made a break as he scooped the ball up out of the ruck on halfway.
When the clock ticked over to the hour-mark, Narrabri remarkably had still not conceded a try.
But Moree took it up a notch from there on and scored two tries in two minutes, the second of which Williams was able to convert to make the score 26-18 after 63 minutes.
McDonnell gave the visitors some more breathing space in the 70th minute as he completed his hat-trick, this time as he made another strong carry from close range after Narrabri had camped themselves on Moree’s line. Nichols made it a three-possession game when he kicked his fourth goal to convert McDonnell’s try.
The Moree men continued to fight back and managed to go over in the 73rd minute through prop James Gall, and it became 33-25 when Williams added the extras.
Ian Ranger made the final minute a nerve-racking one for Blue Boars fans when he went over for a try in the 78th minute to make the score 33-30, but Narrabri were strong in defence and forced a Moree knock-on to bring the match to an end.
Narrabri’s coach Craig Gleeson told The Courier that he was proud of his players for getting the job done.
“It’s a really good feeling,” Gleeson said of earning the home grand final.
“We didn’t really have any goals at the start of the year, but I guess that it’s something everyone wants to do deep down.
“I’ve never played at home in a grand final, but I can imagine it would be an awesome feeling to run out in front of your home crowd for a game like that.
“It’s obviously something you want to achieve, and I’m really proud of the boys for doing it.
“It’s never easy going up there and beating Moree on their home turf, especially in a big game like the major semi-final. I’m proud of our boys for how much effort they’ve put in to be able to do that.”
The elimination semi-final was then contested on Sunday, which saw the Tamworth Pirates barely survive on home soil at Ken Chillingworth Oval as they kicked a penalty goal after the siren to win 34-33 against the Inverell Highlanders. Inverell are now eliminated and the Pirates will take on Moree at Weebolla Oval this Saturday in the preliminary final for a chance to take on Narrabri in the big dance.
To order photos from this page click here
