Modestly prevented Gunnedah five-eighth DJ Smith for lavishing himself with praise. But after delivering a five-star performance in the Bulldogs’  44-16 upset win over North Tamworth at Kitchener Park, someone has to.

The slightly built 23-year-old’s short kicking game was laser-guided in the Bulldogs’ first win over the reigning four-time premiers in a long while. Smith, who debuted in the top grade at Gunnedah at age 17, said it was the first time he had played in a Bulldogs side who had bettered Norths.

GUNNEDAH 44 (Dylan Lake 4, Nic Altmann 2, Aaron Donnelly, Kye Conlan tries; DJ Smith 6 goals) d NORTH TAMWORTH 16 (Mitch Sheridan, Shane Wadwell, Richard Clegg tries, Jake Mcmanus 2 goals) 

Under 18: GUNNEDAH 20 (Deacon Sankey, Blair Beasley, Zack Turnbull, Liam Ireland tries, James Edmond 2gls) drew with NORTH TAMWORTH 20 (Jake Bennett 2, Brayden Reid, Ethan Pallott tries, Hudson Shaw 2gls) NORTH WEST FARM MACHINERY AGCO B&F: 3 Liam Ireland (G), 2 Ethan Pallot (NT), 1 Zack Turnbull (G).

Ladies League Tag: NORTH TAMWORTH 36 (Kimberley Resch 3, Kate Ferguson 3 tries, Amy Barraclough 4, Resch 2gls) d GUNNEDAH O. NORTH WEST FARM MACHINERY AGCO B7F: 3 Leica Le Brocq (NT), 2 Kate Ferguson (NT), 1 Gemma Wicks (G).

At Dungowan, the Roosters might have been down to 10 men late in the second half against the Cowboys, but they produced what their coach believes might have been their best form of the season in a crucial 32-12 win.

With fullback Mitch Doring leading the way with a brilliant four-try game, the Roosters were leading 22-12 after the third of Doring’s tries when the game erupted.

Kootingal-Moonbi’s Brandon Parry copped a 10 minute sin-binning in the 69th minute for his misdemeanour against Cowboy centre Jack Rumsby.

In the next set of tackles a melee broke out and from it, Kooty No.7 Matt Lillicrap was sent off for what referee Luke Sheather said was “running a distance to a former melee and throwing a punch”. 

The Roosters will vigorously defend that charge. Rooster hooker Ryan Martin and Cowboys captain-coach Lochie Collins also received 10 minute sin-binnings.

KOOTINGAL-MOONBI 32 (Mitch Doring 4, Aaron Hall, Shane Salvador tries, Doring 4 gls) d DUNGOWAN 12 (Nathan McGuire, Lochie Collins tries, Josh Crittenden 2 gls). NORTH WEST FARM MACHINERY AGCO B&F: 3 Mitch Doring (K), 2 Shaun Ferguson (D), 1 Fraser Evans (D).

Ladies League Tag: KOOTINGAL-MOONBI 10 (Abrianna Dow, Kendall Horne tries, Aimee Diebold gl) d DUNGOWAN 4 (Liz Thomas try). NORTH WEST FARM MACHINERY AGCO B&F: 3 Kendall Horne (K), 2 Brianna Trickett (D), Aimee Diebold (K).

Central North Rugby Union

Pirates coach Mat Kelly described Saturday’s match against Scone as scrappy but it didn’t stop Pirates from getting the points at Ken Chillingworth Oval.

On a day when Pirates were collecting donations for the ‘R U Aware, We Care’ drought relief campaign, the home side did what they had to on the field to claim a 40-19 win over the Brumbies.

First grade

Pirates 40 def Scone 19

Quirindi 15 def by Gunnedah 45

Moree 21 def by Walcha 32

Barraba/Gwydir 15 def by Narrabri 34

Second grade

Pirates 48 def Scone 0

Quirindi 0 def by Gunnedah 28

Moree 45 def Walcha 19

Barraba/Gwydir 10 def by Narrabri 29

Women’s 7s

Pirates 15 def Scone 0

Pirates 15 drew Scone 15

Under 19s

Pirates 46 def Narrabri 17

New England Rugby Union

First grade: Barbarians 42 d Tamworth 12

Second grade: Barbarians 28 d Tamworth 10

Third grade: Tamworth 35 d Barbarians 12

Women’s 7s: Barbarians 17 d Tamworth 10, Tamworth 12 d Barbarians 10

AFL North West

Tamworth Swans 242 def Moree 7

Gunnedah 20.15 (135) def Tamworth Kangaroos 8.7 (55)

Inverell def Narrabri via forfeit

Northern Inland Premier League

First grade

Oxley Vale Attunga 4 drew East Armidale 4

Reserve grade

East Armidale 4 def Oxley Vale Attunga 1