BARRABA Bulldogs wrapped up the Group 4 Second Division minor premiership with a 70-6 mauling of the Manilla Tigers at Barraba on Saturday while Quirindi Grasshoppers scored a thrilling golden-point win over Dungowan Cowboys thanks to a Steve Nean field goal early in the first term of extra time at the Dungowan Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
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Kootingal Roosters also scored a hard-fought 30-16 win over Walcha at Walcha to join the Cowboys and Grasshoppers on 22 points while reigning premiers Werris Creek Magpies came from 24-4 down to beat the Boggabri Kangaroos 54-30 at David Taylor Park, Werris Creek.
Thomas Brown was the Magpie star, the young prop spearheading the side back into the contest with some strong runs and plenty of tackles.
Fullback Kaidyn Saunders also played strongly for the Maggies.
Walcha had Mitch Eveleigh sent off after 27 minutes and trailed 16-nil at half-time but never gave in, said club secretary Scott Schmutter of its 14-point loss to the Roosters at Captain Cook Park, Walcha.
The Roos also lost reserve Brett Beard to the sin bin while Kooty’s Phillip Cook and Ryan Moore also spent 10 in the bin in a tough match.
“It was quite a hard-fought game,” Schmutter said.
“There were quite a few big hits.
“All in all though, it was a good, tough game.
“We had a dig in the second half.”
Halfback Troy Yarnold was outstanding again for the Roos and created plenty of openings with his running.
Second-rower Robert Smith was Walcha’s players’ player award winner with a non-stop 75-minute effort.
At Barraba, the Bulldogs had a big win, with Michael Rutherford, captain-coach Tim Coombes, Brody Cummins and Jock Mallise all scoring two tries apiece.
Luke White converted 11 of the 12 tries as well as scoring one himself for a 26-point haul.
“However we didn’t play that well,” club secretary Jacob Hawley said. “We gave them a lot of ball through turnovers.
“It was a team effort today.”
Luke White and Jason Wheeler were the best for the Bulldogs who have now confirmed a home major semi- final for August 24.
Quirindi Grasshoppers and Dungowan Cowboys played out a thrilling and see-sawing match at Dungowan Recreation Reserve.
The two sides were locked 12-all at halftime but with Cowboy prop Ben Tongue sin-binned just before the break for fighting.
The visitors led 18-12 and then 22-18 before the Cowboys levelled up twice from tries to Gavin White and a brilliant effort from winger Aaron McRae to catch a Joe Wilson backhand flick.
Cowboys five-eighth Matt Wilson hit the post with a field goal attempt a minute from fulltime but Quirindi halfback Steve Nean made no mistake with his field goal attempt early in extra time.
Nean was electric at stages but little hooker Matt McCulloch was outstanding.
He and lock Josh Crittenden stood out with fullback Brad Vidler and prop Damien Allan, who crashed over for two tries.
Ben Tongue had a huge game for the Cowboys while Matt Wilson, Tom Borger, Shae Collins and Gavin White all excelled.