IT’S going to be a boaring time at Gilbert Oval, Goondiwindi on Saturday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Group 19’s newest two clubs, Moree Boars and Goondiwindi Boars, line up in a huge showdown between the two clubs.
At stake is a semi-final berth, with Moree Boars currently equal fourth and Goondiwindi Boars just two points behind their feral foes in sixth.
It’s just part of a big Super Saturday for Group 19, with reigning premiers Moree Boomerangs travelling to Armidale, the competition leaders tackling an Armidale Rams side at Rugby League Park which is currently equal fourth with Moree Boars after a 26-all draw with Inverell Hawks in Inverell on Sunday.
Tingha and Inverell Hawks play a local derby at Tingha and Uralla Tigers are at home to Glen Innes Magpies on Woodville Oval in the other Saturday matches.
Ashford Roosters have the bye after they were beaten 58-10 by the Glen Innes Magpies at Kerry Mead Park, Glen Innes last Saturday.
Magpies coach Sam Key opened the scoring in the fourth minute of that game with a runaway 70m try after gathering an Ashford kick.
He landed the first of his nine successful kicks from ten attempts and Glen led 6-0.
Unfortunately for the visitors, it was all pretty much one-way traffic from that point.
Many of the team put in solid efforts, especially prop Graham “Buster” Chard and second-rower Tony Tolefoa, but they were outclassed on the day.
Despite the scrappy nature of the match, Key was happy with the Magpie effort.
“It was pleasing to run up a big score after an on-off month,” he said.
“We’ve got a good run into the play-offs now so it’s a matter of starting again.
“Our second-half handling was poor but it’s difficult when running up a score (to retain concentration).
“Overall, I was pleased with the attitude and effort from all the boys.”
Best for the Roosters were Chard, Tolefoa, five-eighth Shannon Dutoux and centre Sam Hewatt while Glen’s best were hooker Jamie Watts, second-rower Jock Waters, half Nick Say and Key.
Juniors fullback Robbie Guest showed his value off the bench with a smart spell at dummy half and seems sure to play a valuable role for the balance of the season.
The win enabled Glen to remain outright second behind Moree Boomerangs (24), who had the bye.
Glen Innes (20) sits three points ahead of Inverell Hawks (17), with Armidale Rams and Moree Boars (16) after the Boars notched a 64-18 win over Uralla in Moree on Sunday.
Goondiwindi’s 44-22 win over Tingha (10) keeps the Goondiwindi Boars (14) in shape for a semi-final surge.
Tingha (10), Uralla (6) and Ashford (5) complete the Group 19 table.