On the back of a big victory against Inverell on Sunday, Narwan will go into the Group 19 finals series at full strength.
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After defeating the Hawks, 82-20, Narwan coach Peter Moran said he was excited as he looked ahead to next weekend’s final in Moree, where full back John Roberts will return to the side.
“It’s a really good feeling, knowing that all the players are back next week and we will go to Moree at full strength, and hopefully come away with a win over there,” Moran said.
The coach was full of praise for brothers Wes and Ryan Kelly, who dominated on the weekend.
“I’ve been waiting for a few weeks now for them to come out of their shell,” he said.
“I know they can be really dangerous at times, but they have been quiet the last couple of weeks.
It’s a really good feeling, knowing that all the players are back next week.
- Peter Moran
“Wes is the player who can take us to the semis, and beat the Boomerangs.”
The undermanned Hawks struggled against the pace of Narwan, who piled on the tries in the first half.
Patrick Strong scored the first of his three tries early in the match, and it was quickly followed by tries to Jared Edwards and Vincent Moran, who played an impressive game, before Inverell managed to score via Harold Duncan.
Narwan hit back with Wes Kelly’s first try, Strong’s second and Ryan Kelly’s first to have Narwan leading 30-6 with 14 minutes still to play in the first half.
That lead was stretched to 44-10 following another try to Wes Kelly and one from Paul Quinlan.
While the Hawks showed more spirit after half time, they were no match for the Narwan outfit as Strong and Wes Kelly both crossed for their third tries.
More came via Paul Quinlan (his second), Bevan Quinlan, Moran and Freddy Waters. The icing on the cake came with the Wes and Ryan Kelly scoring their fourth and third tries respectively, the second of those as the hooter sounded.
With players missing through injury and illness, Inverell only had nine players available and fielded a side topped up with juniors and President’s Cup players.
Narwan’s reserve grade side lost a close match when the Hawks’ Julian Schutz crashed over in the corner as the hooter sounded to steal the lead. They lost 32-28 following a successful conversion.
The Ladies League Tag side lost 14-6 to the Hawks. Sinade Sharpley was the sole try scorer for Narwan.
