Gunnedah and Moree share the points in Central North opener

The two shared the points, playing out a 21-all draw after the Bulls had a chance to snatch the win with a penalty shot after the bell.

Both sides had unsuccessful attempts to claim the lead in the closing stages, the Bulls missing another a shot a couple of minutes earlier and the Red Devils one with around five minutes to go.

New recruit Aisea Raitala had with just over 18 minutes on the clock scored the Red Devils third try to, with the conversion, tie up the scores.

The draw was a somewhat fitting result with never more than a try separating the two sides and the lead changing hands several times.

The Bulls made the early running, five-eighth Dan Sweeney scoring just a couple of minutes in after the Red Devils had fumbled the kick-off. The home side hit back midway through the half, winger Peter Ford scoring a 70m intercept, but had to switch quickly back into defensive mode after again messing up the kick-off.

Adding further insult they lost half-back Zac Harris for 10. The Bulls took a little while but eventually took advantage, Sweeney kicking cross field and finding fullback Kyle O’Connor on the fly to make it 13-7.

Harris redeemed himself on half-time from a quick-tap, Morrison adding the extras to put Gunnedah ahead 14-13 at the break.

It was short-lived with the Bulls scoring a couple of minutes into the second half. Sweeney kicked them out to a converted try a few minutes later, which they held until Raitala picked up a loose pass from Sanimo Navatu and scorched the Bulls defence.

Both sides felt the game was there to win but were satisfied with their performance for the first game of the season.

“For their first real contest I was pretty happy,” Red Devils coach Jason Waerea said.

New Bulls coach Dave Silversides said it was a good start for his rebuilding side.

“I was very happy with the performance,” he said.

“Certainly for our first game, and away, a draw is not a bad outcome.”