INVERELL Hawks bounced back to beat the Moree Boars, Glen Innes consolidated second spot with a home win against the Goondiwindi Boars, and the Moree Boomerangs march to the minor premiership continued as they rolled Tingha at home.
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The premiers thought they were going to be playing a bit underdone at home this week but it was Tingha who were battling for numbers.
Rangs’ coach Chris Binge said the Tigers pulled up at least four reserve grade players.
“I have got no idea how they got up last week with numbers like that,” Binge said.
“We played to their standard in the first half but then fixed things up.”
A 26-10 halftime score blew out to 68-10, although Dillon Walford missed seven conversions in poor conditions.
“We switched on in the second 40 minutes and had a near perfect half,” Binge said.
“I think we completed every set.”
Five-eight Rick Roberts was out and Will Fernando covered the position and shone to take players’ player award.
Toby Keys once again scooped the pool with ref’s points, and also had a Dave Taylor like cameo in the centres for 20 minutes.
“He thinks he is a centre,” Binge said.
“Normally we start well and drop off but today it was the other way round.”
The Rangs local counterparts didn’t have such a good preparation for next weeks local derby.
The Boars had won five in a row but Inverell out enthused them at home.
The Hawks leading all the way for a 20-12 victory.
Boars coach Wayne Hetherington wasn’t disappointed with how his side played. “Inverell were very good today and took their chances,” Hetherington said.
At 12-6 the sides ran back out, but a try to the Hawks took the wind out of the Boars as the lead stretched to eight.
“They were lucky to do some things and we were unlucky not to do some things,” Hetherington said.
“There wasn’t much in it.”
Chris Holland and Adam Rodilossi were the Boars best, along with stand in dummy half Connor Ryan.
At Kerry Mead Park Glen Innes hit the ground running.
Five quick tries had them up 32-nil before the Boars hit back.
They clawed their way back but couldn’t stop the flow of tries at the other end.
Hooker Jamie Watts crossed late for his second on the way to a 50-34 victory.
Watts and prop Mone Loketi were Glen’s best while fullback Matt Hampstead stood out for the Boars.
The win further consolidates second spot as the Magpies sit four points off the lead with a game against Moree in hand.
The Boars will now struggle to see the finals in their premier year in the group.