It was anyone’s game at half-time at Dangar Park with the Brumbies up 13-10 after a penalty on the bell to Dale Robinson.

But the Blue Boars came out with a renewed vigour in the second half and piled on 34 points to run out 44-16 victors and set up a preliminary final against either Moree and Pirates.

Up until then it was a real arm wrestle with the Brumbies showing why they were in the four. 

The Blues Boars had the better of the opening quarter and probably should have scored twice before they eventually did. 

Matt Schwager was brought down metres from the line, and minutes later Brenton Cochrane was denied by the cover defence of fullback Zac Allbon.

Breakaway Ciaran O’Gorman eventually broke the Brumbies resistance 22 minutes in.

Cochrane set it up, ghosting through and then turning the ball back inside to O’Gorman in support.

An errant kick then gave the Brumbies their first real opportunity, and they hit straight back with Bampino Mulipola crossing out wide after prop Doug McKillop had split the Blue Boars defence and thrown a 40-odd metre pass to find Mulipola.

Robinson nailed the conversion from the sideline to tie the scores up at 7-all.

He and Michael Cain then traded penalties a few minutes apart, before a late indiscretion gave the Brumbies the chance to lead at the break.

Despite going into the break behind Blue Boars coach Hunter Harley said the mood was positive.

“Tom and I said to them ‘the one big positive to come out of that half is we’re still within three points and we hadn’t played anywhere near our capability,” Harley said.

They rectified that in the second half.

Matt Trindall lit the fuse picking the ball up from the middle of the ruck and charging about 5m to score.

“As soon as we scored that try I knew we were a different side,” Harley said.

Schwager and Cochrane then combined, and Schwager extended the Blue Boars lead to nine.

Robinson landed his third penalty to get the Brumbies on the board for the second half and close back within a try but Lachie Cameron answered with a well-struck field goal 

“That was a great option,” Harley said.

Not only did it restore their nine point buffer, but it deflated the Brumbies, and from there they never looked like being beaten – especially the way they were playing.

It was right out of the finals football copybook. They played the game in the Brumbies half and dominated 

possession.

“We spoke (at half-time) about tightening it up and building pressure through the forwards,” Harley said.

Which they did with the forwards taking it up for multiple phases – and making good metres – before the backs chimed in. The backs were very polished in the second half, Harley said.

None more so than Cochrane. He had a hand in most of their tries, and even scored one of his own.

It was their last and arguably most spectacular, with Cochrane stepping around the defence and running about 60m to score.

First grade’s win capped off a good day for the Blue Boars.

Earlier fullback Dean Wilson starred with four tries as the U18s beat Inverell 39-5.

Gunnedah seconds then prospered 23-nil over Pirates.