KOOTINGAL Roosters and Werris Creek Magpies warmed up for this Saturday’s Group 4 Second Division top-of-the-table clash in contrasting fashion on Saturday.
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The Roosters were down 16-4 against the Barraba Bulldogs on their home Kootingal Oval on Saturday before winning 44-28 while the Magpies were never in doubt, leading all the way to win a local derby against Quirindi Grasshoppers 44-6 at Quirindi Sportsground.
Magpies co-coach Ron Dellar, in charge with head coach Lindsay Bowne away, said the Magpies negotiated well what could have been a tricky game against their near neighbours.
“We got through the day okay, that’s the main thing,” the stalwart Magpie coach said.
“We got a bit knocked around last week.”
He said four regular Magpies missed the Grasshopper match but will be right to go against the Roosters at David Taylor Park on Saturday.
“That’ll be a great game,” he said.
In contrast to the Roosters, the Magpies led 22-nil at halftime in a game where Dellar was also delighted with the defensive effort from his side.
“Our defence was pretty good. We defended three sets of six at one stage.
“It was a pretty good team effort.
“Everyone pushed up in the line. That’s a good sign.”
They sit equal with Kootingal on the points table but second on for and against.
Dungowan’s loss to Walcha also means that whoever loses Saturday will remain second.
Kootingal captain-coach Nathan Hamlin said his side would have to start better than they did against Barraba where a string of errors turned the ball over four or five times.
They also gave up some penalties to trail 16-4 after 20 minutes.
It forced the Roosters to find some of their best form to fight back and lead 22-16 at half- time and then win 44-28.
“We made some silly mistakes early, didn’t make them work hard enough and gave the ball back to them on the fourth and fifth tackle,” Hamlin said.
“They (Barraba) are a good side. They made us earn it.
“It was a good effort in the end – the boys showed they have it.
“We also hadn’t had a good hit-out for a while.
“So that was great to have that tough game leading up to Werris Creek.
“That’s going to be a tough game down there.”
The form of lock Andrew Moodie was impressive.
He was strong when the side was not firing in the first half and coupled good defence with plenty of runs.
It also earned him the $100 Rooster players’ player award.
That 40-year-old winger Jeremy Moss also scored twice, his side’s first and last tries, was also a highlight.
“Too fast, too strong,” the little winger joked after the game.
Moss will have plenty of work to do against a fast and strong Magpie backline this Saturday.
