WERRIS Creek Magpies had a “much needed trial” at David Taylor Park on Saturday when they played a below strength Bendemeer while Boggabri upset Narrabri 22-20 in their pre-season trial.
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Bendemeer arrived in Werris Creek with just 11 players which forced an 11-on-11 trial to give the home side a hit-out before playing Dungowan in their first game of the new, revamped Group 4 on Saturday, April 28.
Werris Creek won the trial 42-14 with Jermaine Walford crossing for three tries and Michael Saunders two.
Ron Dellar, the long serving Werris Creek coach who heads the Magpies in tandem with former Knights prop Matt Parsons, said it was a “much needed trial”.
“We got a touch up from Kootingal the week before,” Dellar said.
“Bendy only had 11 so we played 11 on 11 and played three 15 minute (thirds).”
Dellar said Walford was impressive.
“He’s got heaps of speed,” he said.
“Only a little bloke but he can go.”
They have him playing fullback as they prepare for the opening round against Dungowan.
Cody Tickle, Bryce Parsons, Stewart Porter and Brendan Hunt also impressed with veterans Hunt and Porter sharing the five-eighth spot.
Meanwhile, Michael Weatherall (2), Nik Hobdan and Nathan Miller all scored tries for the Shane Rampling-coached Boggabri in their trial win over Narrabri.
Jacob Nicholls crossed twice for the Blues, who will play Gunnedah in their first round clash, while Boggabri tackle Kootingal at Jubilee Park.
TRIAL RESULTS
WERRIS CREEK v BENDEMEER
David Taylor Park, Werris Creek
Men: WERRIS CREEK 42 (Jermaine Walford 3, Michael Saunders 2, Zack Leonard, James Baily, Scott Berry tries, Cody Tickle 5gls) d BENDEMEER 14 (Rylan Taylor, Adam Ruttley, Brad Flanders tries, Flanders gl).
Ladies League Tag: WERRIS CREEK 12 (Anna Smith, Hannah Tickle tries, Casey Hatch 2gls) d BENDEMEER 10 (Joan O’Leary 2 tries, Jane Bevitt gl).
NARRABRI v BOGGABRI
Collins Park, Narrabri
Men: BOGGABRI 22 (Michael Weatherall 2, Nick Hobdan, Nathan Miller tries, Kyle Gallen 3 gls) d NARRABRI 20 (Jacob Nicholls 2, Isaiah Adams, Josh Trindall tries, Blake Hilderson 2gls).
Under 18: NARRABRI 24 (Aubrey Adams, Liam Doyle, Kaleb McMillan, Jordyn Mowle, Cory Peck tries, McMillan Harry Pattison gls) d BOGGABRI 10 (Mickey Long, Bailey Lennox tries, Jono Crow gl).
Ladies League Tag: BOGGABRI 42 (Maddison Giffen 3, Cassidy Morley, Molly Dawson, Jamilah Kidd, Caitlyn Dewar, Tarsha Smith tries, Smith 3, Ashlee Haire, Giffen gls) d NARRABRI 0.
