Beaten only a week ago by the Red Devils, Pirates set up a semi-final match-up with Inverell with a 32-10 win.

“It was the best game they’ve played all year, my blokes. Everything just seemed to click on the day,” co-coach Paul Newell said.

He said they didn’t target anything specifically from the previous week. It was more about focusing for the full 70 minutes.

They have been prone to lapses but on Sunday “didn’t drop off at all in intensity”, converting a 15-3 half-time lead into a 22-point success.

Newell paid a lot of the credit for the win to the forwards. That was where they really got on top.

“Our forward pack were really good. Chad Lambert, Matt Cannon and Luke Buchanan really stood up,” Newell said, adding that the outside backs also defended really well.

On Saturday the Highlanders upset Tamworth 34-31 in a closely fought tussle.

Breakaway Scott Houston and fullback Brady Mather both crossed twice for the Highlanders, who led 19-17 at half-time. 

The backs did the damage for the Magpies with winger Liam Wise and inside centre Dylan Cross pursing doubles.

Earlier in the day a four try effort from Moree U19’s winger Brandon Humphries ignited the Bulls to a 57-29 win over Narrabri, while Tamworth defeated Narrabri 22-14 in their U17’s minor semi-final.