RUGBY LEAGUE
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Before the minor semi-final Boggabri captain Dave Harris said the Roos could beat Dungowan but it wouldn’t be pretty.
He was right on both counts, and after a week off the coach is preparing his troops to go again as they travel to Kootingal to take on the minor premiers in the Second Division elimination final on Saturday.
Last Saturday Kootingal were beaten at home by Werris Creek, who will now host the final in a fortnight against the winner of this match, and after both reigning and minor premiers were beaten in each semi-final, a winner is proving hard to pick.
The Roos will be looking to re-
create the form they found in the second half of the semi-final, when they fought back after finding themselves down by 16 points approaching halftime.
“I always knew we could run them (Dungowan) down if we hung in there,” Harris said.
“This was the club’s first semi-final in 20 years so I think there were a few nerves early.”
“Once we got that out of the road we were right.”
The big home crowd were on their feet for the entire second half, getting louder and louder as the Roos drew closer and finally took the lead, and plenty of that support is expected to travel to Kootingal to shout the Roos home again.
It has been an emotional end to the season for Boggy, with Harris’ father Peter passing away unexpectedly a few weeks ago, as well as the loss of another Roos figure in a car accident the same week.
“It was really good to get that semifinal win at home,” Harris said.
“The rest of the season is up to us and we have the heart to beat anyone on our day.”
The Roos will look to take a page out of the Magpies playbook against the Roosters, putting the big men up the middle and hitting hard in defence before letting the speed men go out wide, and they have the weapons to do it.
Front rowers Jay Urquhart and Heath McIlveen have been the engine behind the Roos success in just their third season back in the game.
They are well supported by a very able pack, which is equally matched in the halves and backs.
Playmakers Brad Hamilton and Daniel Poss kept calm heads in the semi-final against Dungowan, sticking to their game plan even when they were behind.
“Heath and Jay have had us going forward all season,” Harris said.
“We have been building every year and just need to make sure we get that roll on early.”
The league tag elimination final will be fought out between the two New England clubs with minor premiers Uralla set to face Walcha with a grand final sport against Kootingal the prize.
Walcha skipper Robyn Broadbent said their minor semi win over Manilla was one of the best team efforts this season.
“Everyone stepped up and we just controlled the ball and went forward,” Broadbent said.
“It has got our confidence flowing and we know that we can beat either side left in the comp if we play like that.”
The girls will kick-off at 1.30pm on Saturday with the men to follow at 2.30pm.