Gunnedah took their foot off the accelerator early in the second half but managed to hold out a resurgent Inverell and notch their first win for the season on Saturday.
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The Red Devils celebrated their first home game with a 34-22 victory.
The final scoreline was a bit closer than the Red Devils would have liked, especially after a commanding first half, which saw them take a 22-5 lead into the break.
“We were looking really good,” manager Dan Martin said.
“[But] The intensity after half-time fell off and they capitalised.”
“Inverell really played well and really gave it to us with a young side.”
Prop Matt Pardesi and winger Aisea Raitala both crossed twice in the six tries to four showing.
“We started off very strongly but we also lacked patience in the 22, that was frustrating,” Martin said.
“But overall the boys played very well.”
“The scrum was good and the set piece was pretty solid.”
“And the backline went well once we were getting front foot ball.”
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There is still plenty to work on, Martin highlighting their general fitness as one area they need to keep working on.
Sanimo Navatu was strong at number eight. Half-back Malcolm Frend and breakaway Jeremy Brown were also prominent in the win.
Earlier the Red Devils seconds fought back from 12-5 down at half-time to draw 17-all, Will Donaldson, Bill Flinn and Josh Leys all finding the tryline.
The competition takes a break this weekend for the Country Championships.
