ROUND Five this weekend offers an intriguing line up of Group 4 clashes between former first and second divisions sides.
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On Saturday last season’s first division champions North Tamworth host former second division side Werris Creek.
Last season’s first division finalists Gunnedah Bulldogs are at home to former second division club Boggabri in a local derby for the Boyde Campbell Cup.
On Sunday last year’s beaten first division grand finalists Narrabri travel to Dungowan to tackle the former second division Cowboys.
Unbeaten Kootingal Roosters have the bye.
Gunnedah and North Tamworth are equal on points, with the Bulldogs shading the Bears on for and against, while Werris Creek are equal fourth on points with Narrabri but ahead on for and against.
It makes Werris Creek’s trip to Jack Woolaston Oval a huge assignment for the Magpies.
“We’ve got to stop them coming through the middle,” Werris Creek co-coach Ron Dellar said. “We’ll give it a crack though and see what we come up with, and hang on to the ball.”
Ball control was his side’s biggest problem in their last game – a 28-18 loss to Kootingal at Werris Creek.
“They are a typical Werris Creek side,” Dellar said. “[They] get a bit excited with the ball.”
That was a good thing during Werris Creek’s heady days of the 1990s when the Magpies ruled Group 4 with the likes of Stewart Porter and the Wilson brothers, as well as Greg and Eric Allan, all of whom were outstanding runners and ball handlers with magical moves.
Dellar said training has been positive this week, with good numbers for him and fellow coach Matt Parsons.
While they have a forwards battle on their hands this weekend, the Magpies will be missing Beau Parry and Bryce Parsons. Outstanding club man Thomas Brown will lead the Magpie pack.
Werris Creek can join the Bears on six points with an upset win, while Dungowan can join the Narrabri Blues on four points if they can win at Dungowan Recreation Reserve.
Boggabri coach Shane Rampling hopes his side can match it with Gunnedah after such a gutsy effort in a 40-39 loss to Narrabri at Jubilee Oval last Saturday.
“It’s a massive day for both clubs,” Rampling said of the local derby at Kitchener Park on Saturday.
“Both clubs [will] celebrate the short life of young Boydey [Boyde Campbell, the former Bulldogs and Roos player who died last season]. We’re looking forward to it. Last week is behind us but we just want that second-half effort.”
Down 22-nil against Narrabri, Boggabri led 39-38 with a minute left but gave away a penalty to lose by a point.
“If we can get a good start and be in it at half time, I give ourselves a good chance of causing an upset,” Rampling said.
“I think we have the forwards to match them and it’s up to Kyle [Gallen] and Kialu [Brown] to direct us around the park.”
Rampling’s two halves were in great form last Saturday.
“We’ve got to take our opportunities too,” he said, adding that Dylan Lake and DJ Smith were dangerous players for Gunnedah.
Ben Haire returns to the Roos’ line-up after missing last week but Nathan Miller might be out with injury.
First grade table:
Kootingal 8 (164 points for and 76 points against; Gunnedah 6 (176/94), North Tamworth 6 (110/60), Werris Creek 4 (66/116), Narrabri 4 (74/139), Boggabri 2 (81/132), Dungowan 2 (122/176).
