GRAND finalists last season, Inverell and the Moree Boomerangs, look like they are hitting form at the right time of this season, both securing wins over sides above them on the Group 19 table on Saturday.
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Premiers Inverell stamped their authority on the competition by handing Macintyre their first ever defeat in a nailbiter at Boggabilla Oval 30-22 to take outright second, while Ashford slipped to third following a 44-34 loss to the Boomerangs, who needed the win to keep their finals hopes alive.
At Boggabilla, the Hawks showed impressive line speed and commitment in defence to contain the Warriors and jump out to a 24-14 halftime lead.
After the break crafty playmaker Dave McGrady got the Warriors right back in the mix and they trailed by just two points all the way to the final few minutes when 80-minute Hawks prop James Ballinger crossed.
While Ballinger scored the winning try, it was the boot of Inverell skipper Guy Mepham that got the premiers home, the hooker kicking five from five in windy conditions, while his counterpart Malcolm McGrady could only manage one conversion in the blustery conditions with both sides crossing for five tries.
Inverell coach Garry Lavender said his side controlled the ball really well in their best effort this season.
"We won and Ashford went down," Lavender said.
"I couldn't be happier - now we just need to keep on going."
Ballinger and his brother Sam were stand-outs in the pack, alongside the skipper, Mick Hodges and Brendon Critchlow, while halves Mick Watton and Sam Johnson were good in defence and set the outside backs alight a few times in the entertaining game, as winger Harold Duncan crossed for a double.
I couldn't be happier - now we just need to keep on going.
- Hawks coach Garry Lavender
"They all played well," Lavender said.
"It was by far our better performance for the season."
The Hawks will now face a dangerous Moree Boars side this week who have nothing to lose after slipping out of finals contention.
"They put Guyra to the sword a few weeks ago so we will be very wary of them," Lavender said.
The coach is still picking the Warriors to be the favourites come finals time, despite the win.
"You just can't ever relax against them," Lavender said.
"Dave McGrady is a special player so you really have to stay on them for 80 minutes."
"Anyone could win the comp but I am still picking Bogga to be the ones to beat."
