Moree Weebolla Bulls defeat Narrabri Blue Boars in close rival match

The packed ladies day crowd was on the edge of their seats during the first grade match as the two rival clubs battled it out in round nine of the Central North Rugby Union competition.

The Bulls came out bucking, putting the first points on the board and leading 21-14 at the end of the first half.

However, the Blue Boars fought back to take the lead in the second half before a last-minute surge from the Bulls saw the score tied at 31-apiece. A successful conversion by Ben Williams in the dying minutes of the game secured the win for the Bulls, with the final score 33-31.

Bulls first grade coach Peter Copeman said it was a good, close game, as expected whenever Moree meets Narrabri.

“It’s always tough down there,” he said.

“We played well in parts; but were a bit slow after two weeks off. [Narrabri] were pretty good – their number eight and halfback were good players. They gave us a bit of trouble. They got on a bit of a roll once they came back a few tries. I was definitely a bit worried there. It kept everyone on the edge of their seats.”

Copeman said his side showed plenty of spirit, scoring a couple of good tries to get them back in the game.

“We played pretty well,” he said. “Our set pieces and our lineouts and scrums were good.”

Scoring two tries, Josh Walker was a standout on the day, as were fellow forwards Mitch Adams and Jaime Sampson.

Copeman said the Bulls’ scrums will need some work ahead of the next few games and that the side could have played a little smarter at times on Saturday.

“We played into their hands a bit, not slowing the ball down when we had possession,” he said.

The win sees the Bulls maintain their second position on the first grade ladder, nine points clear of third-placed Barraba/Gwydir and Narrabri in fourth place.

This Saturday will see the start of the second round of competition, with the Bulls to travel to Inverell to take on eighth-placed Highlanders.