ARMIDALE played the best half of their season to send Narrabri into the sheds a bit nervous on Sunday, while the North Bears stamped their authority on the competition with a comprehensive thrashing of Gunnedah.
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And, Wests beat Oxley on Friday night at Scully Park to all but lock in another major semifinal against the Bears.
Tempers flared at Scully Park as the local derby between the Diggers and Wests resulted with five send-offs and sin-binnings in the final 12 minutes as the Lions put a three-point margin between themselves and third-placed Gunnedah, with two rounds remaining.
At Kitchener Park, Brock Wadwell scored six tries and Scott Blanch three as the Bears overran Gunnedah 82-4.
Bears coach Brad McManus thought it the best display he's seen from his side this season.
"The best they've played all year, the boys were brilliant," McManus said.
"They played the full 80 minutes, never gave Gunnedah a look-in.”
“They nearly completed at 100 per cent."
In Armidale, the Rams also put their best performance in since joining Group 4, although only for the first half as Narrabri turned a four-point halftime lead into a 74-22 win.
The Rams are winless this season, although had Blues captain-coach Lachie Cameron worried at the break after finishing stronger.
The visitors jumped out to a 22-6 lead early, before the Rams got back to 22-18.
“We lost our way a bit after a good start,” Cameron said.
“We got carried away with the good start and started throwing a few passes we shouldn’t and things like that.
“We were a bit nervous for a while.”
The skipper told his side not to panic at halftime, and to get back to basics after resting a few players for the round.
The second half was all Narrabri, the Blues running over the top of the lean Rams outfit who finished with a near empty bench.
Prop Stanley Binge scored a double in the absence of his brother Kialu Brown who has been regularly crossing twice a match at halfback, while centre Daniel Howe and fellow prop Brodie Rumsby also picked up doubles.
The skipper filled in at halfback for Brown, although was looking forward to a return to the pack, while backrower Sam Sadler picked up the three points.
Cameron also gave a special mention to evergreen 42-year-old Michael Knox who dusted off the boots for a run and was still impressive.
“He was my favourite Blues player growing up,” Cameron said. “He really turned the clock back today and did a great job.”
