After a little bit of a slow start to the season Narrabri coach Dylan Duncan believes the Blue Boars are in a good place.
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“We’re starting to get it together, which is good,” Duncan said after Saturday’s 54-20 win over Barraba.
“We’re improving every week.”
They went into Saturday expecting a tough tussle.
“Barraba had been in pretty good form. They only just got beaten by Moree last week and the week before beat Scone,” Duncan said.
Coming off the bye the Blue Boars were “a little bit out of sorts” in the first 10 minutes, he said, but after that got on a roll.
They led 28-5 at half-time, their support play and ball movement two of the things that most impressed Duncan.
With the forwards laying as good platform they also made a lot of inroads around the ruck.
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Filling in at half-back with Matt Schwager away, Jydon Hill was a constant threat around the ruck and finished with a hat-trick.
“He made some really good metres around nine,” Duncan said.
Halves partner Callum Styles was also prominent and picked up the three points.
He signed with the club late last season, and played two games for second grade.
“He’s getting better and better every game,” Duncan said.
“He’s a good thinking five-eighth. His game control is good and he understands the situation well, and is a good defender.”
He is also handy with the boot, converting seven of the Blue Boars eight tries on Saturday.
Breakaway Matt McDonnell and second rower Mitch Wheaton also had very strong games.
Wheaton took a lot of hit-ups and made a lot of run metres.
The win wasn’t enough for them to force their way into the top four, the Rams keeping them out courtesy of the four-try bonus point they picked up.