NORTH Tamworth Bears, Gunnedah Bulldogs and West Lions remain the top three in Group 4 respectively following wins on a wet and windy weekend.
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Gunnedah were always in control of an injury-ravaged Narrabri at Kitchener Park yesterday, running out 62-20 victors.
Narrabri went in very short after injuries ravaged their side, but it was Gunnedah who left two men short after bad injuries in the freezing conditions.
The second injury, a suspected dislocated ankle to Ben Gardner, stopped the game and Aaron Donnelly was also carried off with a bad ankle.
Gunnedah’s defence has been the focus of their training in recent times, but it was their attack that looked well practised.
Matt Brady controlled the game excellently from halfback, scoring three tries and the ref’s points as well in the 11-try effort.
Trent Hilton once again was the stand-out in the Bulldogs forwards along with Gardner until the injury.
Bulldogs coach Shane Rampling was pleased with their defensive game despite letting in a few “soft tries”.
“We have improved our defence and didn’t go to sleep for any large periods today,” Rampling said.
“We have got a good pack who can grind games out.
“Any half chances we will take them.”
Out at Wee Waa the local Panthers self destructed in their loss to unbeaten North Tamworth Bears.
After a slowish start, the Bears led 24-10 at half time before winning by about 40 points.
At Scully Park on Saturday night West Lions led 36-4 at halftime of their clash with Oxley Diggers and then 40-4 early in the second half before “switching off” and allowing the improving Diggers in for a large slice of the half.
Diggers scored three tries in a 10-minute burst to make it 40-20.
However, a try in the corner by Dylan Lake signalled the Lions’ return.
OD secondrower Jake Morris spent five minutes in the bin while West lock Phil Beaton also had five minutes in the bin for a separate incident not long after while opposing backrower Lonnie Hatch was lucky he didn’t sit down as well.
Beaton, Tom Hine and Jake McLoughlin were amongst West’s best while OD captain-coach Jamie Trindall made some strong charges in a side best served by Jake Morris, Michael Rutherford and Scott Berry.
