At Ashford Sportsground, reigning premiers Moree Boomerangs had a 44-8 win over the Ashford Roosters, with Jaram Haines crossing for three tries on his way to snaring the three points in the best and fairest.

Haines and Richard Smith have picked up the playmakers’ roles this season, with coach Chris Binge pleased with how the new combination are coming along.

“It wasn’t our greatest game but we are building into the season,” Binge said.

Craig McKenzie and new signing Akula Saukuru both crossed twice while Rick Roberts and Ethan Pegus also crossed.

“I think we dominated them through our forwards and controlled the game,” Binge said.

“They are certainly our strength this season and we are going to play that way.”

In Moree yesterday Inverell Hawks had  a drama-charged finish against Moree Boars , winning 28-26.

Down 28-22 with three minutes to go, the Boars crossed, although the kick to tie it up just sailed wide of the post and the game was over 28-26.

Boars president Todd Mitchell said that, despite the loss, the side performed well after a stop-start beginning to the season.

Since beating Glen 58-26 in the opening round, the Boars have beaten Guyra 82-10 and then had two weeks off after Tingha folded and the Country Championships.

“We have been a bit disjointed and it showed on the park,” Mitchell said.

“We played well in patches, now we just have to put the patches together.”

Marshall Barker was the pick of the Boar forwards, with Brenton Cochrane and Bruce Swan the backs.

The loss will see the Boars lose top spot and drop to third behind the Hawks and the Rangs.

In Warialda, the Wombats turned it on for their first win at home since returning to the competition, flogging Guyra 76-22.

At Glen Innes, the Magpies led 30-16 at the halftime break and, with only minutes remaining, held a commanding 56-22 lead before the Rams scored two smart, converted tries in the final five minutes.

The game featured some bright attacking moments but there were far  too many errors from both sides. 

The Magpies lost the ball before reaching the first tackle on no fewer than seven occasions.

 “We were lucky,”  captain-coach Nick Ehsman said.

“They made just as many handling errors as we did. 

“Against the better teams we’d have been punished far worse.”

Hooker Todd Cameron was again the best for the Magpies while the return of the vastly experienced Daniel Ferris after several winters on soccer fields was a welcome boost at the back. 

Ferris scored two tries as did big centre Craig Browne while Under 18s player Thomas Say, skipper of Farrer Firsts last season, came on for his first top grade match and scored a nice try with an early touch.

Workaholic lock  Steve Widders was best for Armidale with a gritty 80- minute performance.