THREE was the magic number for Group 4 Second Division on Saturday as an exciting round saw some close results.
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Three sets of three brothers were all involved in wins, with one of them scoring three tries and another getting three points, while results see three clubs on top of the ladder on 12 points and another three drawn for fifth on six points.
Barraba turned a half- time lead into a come from behind victory at Bendemeer, the Mallise brothers putting on five tries between them in the 46-34 win.
The eldest, Tim, missed out as twins Zac and Jock picked up a double and a treble respectively.
Also in the Bulldogs is another set of twins, Johno and Jessie Phillips, only they have a younger brother Morgan and, between the lot of them, there is almost a whole forward rotation.
Club secretary Jacob Hawley said the brothers and a few other inclusions finally allowed them to rotate the front row more effectively, making the difference.
“It has been hurting us a bit, needing props and having four wingers on the bench,” Hawley said.
“With a fuller bench we could get back to our game.”
Jock Mallise was having his first game back in four weeks, and was a force as usual on the edge with his work rate and ability to get offloads away, as can his siblings, including sister Abbey, who starred in the girls’ 20-12 League Tag win.
“Ben Cederblad had a good impact off the bench and Tim Coombes took the three points,” Hawley said.
Adam Rutley scored three for the Mountain Men, who came back from 12-0 down to lead 18-12 at halftime with three quick tries.
“It was one of our best performances this season,” Hawley said.
“Things are starting to feel better and we are still improving.”
Barraba will sit equal with Bendy in fifth, while Kootingal will remain on top, but only on for and against after going down at Dungowan in a spiteful affair 14-10.
The win lifts the Cowboys to the top along with Werris Creek, who beat Manilla 64-10 away.
At Dungowan, the tension was clear as soon as the whistle went, with a few early high shots all it took to get last year’s grand finalists to go in a tense affair that had the strong crowd on the edge of their seats the whole way.
Strong defence highlighted both sides’ games although a bit of dropped ball was probably always expected in the slippery conditions.
Dylan O’Brien again scored in both halves for the Cowboys to set up the win, although it was in the forwards that the game was won and another of a set of three brothers stepped up.
Clint Ridley was everywhere and in everything for Dungowan, scoring the referees’ points, players’ player and the club’s points.
Ridley was playing in the second row, while brothers Corey and Kyle both came off the bench to help the Cowboys to their third win in as many weeks at home, with one more against Boggabri next week.
In Boggabri, the home side won the battle of the Roos to remain in fourth place, but only two points behind leaders Kootingal.
Walcha just missed out in a game that could have gone either way, eventually letting some late points in to go down 36-28.
Uralla ended a two-game losing streak with a decisive 52-16 win over Quirindi that keeps them in touch of the leaders in the chase pack, three wins behind.