NORTH Tamworth picked up almost where they left off last year’s Group 4 season by disposing of Oxley Diggers 70-18 in their first 2015 premiership clash at Jack Woolaston Oval, North Tamworth on Saturday while West Lions overcame a series of mistakes to beat Narrabri Blues 56-32 at Collins Park, Narrabri yesterday.
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The Lions dropped the ball twice from kick-offs and three more times on the first tackle inside their 20, new captain coach Phil Beaton said.
“They scored five tries from those mistakes,” Beaton said.
“Our defence won us the game. We will improve.”
Matty Nean, Tom Hine, Chris Vidler, Jake McLoughlin and Kyle Cochrane starred for the Lions while Jacob Booby deserved two points in The Leader Best and Fairest for a strong game, where he also crossed for two tries for the Blues.
In Tamworth on Saturday the Bears found Oxley Diggers a good opponent for the first 15 minutes.
Last year they won the same game 108-4.
“We were more than 30 points better in defence and scored 14 more than last year,” a philosophical Diggers club president Mick Schmiedel said after the game.
“We were better. I was disappointed it blew out at the end because were pretty good the first 15 minutes.”
Oxley Diggers actually led 4-nil after five minutes when winger Mick Wright dived over in the corner.
But that only ruffled the Bears into action.
They led 10-4 before Oxley equalised through a chip kick from Will Jerrard that was picked up by captain-coach Jamie Trindall and, after being initially stopped, he stepped out of the tackle and went again to score under the posts.
That was the end of the Oxley Diggers joy.
Trailing 36-10 at half-time, they had a few good moments in the second half in a game dominated by the Group 4 premiers.
“We had a few pull out late too,” North captain-coach Zac Russ said.
“Bill Jeffery and Dylan Manicaros were missing.”
His side is a similar group to last year with a few additions such as the Manicaros boys, Corey and Dylan, and elusive five-eighth Scott Blanch.
“Diggers have improved though, West have too, and Narrabri as well. Gunnedah would be smarting too from their grand final loss so we’ve got to be better too and make sure we stay ahead of them all,” Russ said.
Lock Shane-Leigh Wadwell was a standout and received the referee’s points in The LeaderBest and Fairest. Blanch, winger-cum hooker Callum Hayne and Luke Byrnes were others to shine for the Bears while lanky centre Brad Marshall scored three tries against a side who lost playmaker Jerrard with a dislocated finger.
He had helped lay on both tries and was one of their best along with centre Will Saunders and hard-working lock Brad Vidler.
