MOREE Boars roared early to set up a 48-20 Group 4 first grade win over Boggabri Kangaroos in Moree.
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The home side led 20-8 at half-time and went on with it in the second half against a game and determined Boggabri outfit.
Boars captain-coach Ben Williams was delighted with his side's performance as it cemented Moree into fourth spot on the ladder.
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They are just two wins astern of competition leaders Kootingal-Moonbi - the team Moree will meet next round at Kootingal Oval.
"That's going to be huge," Williams said of the matchup with Kooty.
"They're going to be tough especially what happened when they came here."
The Roosters had a number of players unavailable for that game and lost 32-8 to the Boars in Moree.
That was also Moree's first win of the season.
They have won five games since to sit outright fourth on 12 points, four behind Kootingal and four ahead of fifth-placed Boggabri.
The home against Boggabri was crucial for both Boggy and the Boars. A win for Boggabri would have drawn them level with Moree but the Boars responded well right from kick off, Williams said.
"We started well, a lot better than we have been," he said.
"Things are starting to come together well at the right end of the season."
Williams had to make a late shuffle too after losing fullback Tom Ryan.
He moved back to number one and brought young Adrian Smith up from reserve grade.
"He was big," Williams said of the talented teenager.
"Had a cracker of a game for us at five-eighth and also scored a try. Then he stepped up when Mick (Michael Watton) had to go off late."
Williams said lock Brent McDonald "was massive for us again" and "Marshall (Barker) is playing as well as he has for a long time."
Brenton Cochrane also came back earlier than was thought from injury to help out and came off the bench to open up the Boggabri defences in his brilliant fashion.
Boggabri coach Shane Rampling was disappointed for his side, which had everything to play for.
"Just dropped too much pill," Shane Rampling said.
"Gave them too much possession. We also had a poor preparation during the week."
He was hoping his side could feed off last week's historic win over Gunnedah, instead they went the other way.
"Moree are a good side but you can't give a quality side like that too much ball or they will punish you. We did that and couldn't contain them," Rampling said.
He said his side's last 10 minutes of the match was its best as they were able to control the ball, build the pressure and score two good tries.
Nic Millar made a special trip to come back early from a holiday up north and played strongly.
"We couldn't replicate his effort, that was disappointing," Rampling said.
"Willy Urquhart had a good game too. He might have missed two tackles that led to tries but he also got two for us. Kyle Capper was good too and Rob Doolan was dangerous when he was injected into the game but we just couldn't get him enough ball.
"It was very frustrating."
Boggabri might have also lost winger Connor Fordham to a knee injury and centre Mitch Fletcher was a late omission due to work commitments.
WEG FIRST GRADE TABLE (for and against in brackets): Kootingal (319-144) 16, Narrabri (236-174) 15, North Tamworth (288-189) 12, Moree (238-208) 12, Boggabri (208-306) 8, Gunnedah (233-256) 6, Werris Creek (182-322) 4, Dungowan (185-292) 3.
MOREE 48 (Michael Watton 2, Alex Lawrence, Holt Cubis, Jarvis Watton, Adrian Smith, Stan Swan, Brent McDonald, Brenton Cochrane tries, Watton 5, Adrian Smith gls) d BOGGABRI 20 (Jay Urquhart 2, Connor Fordham, Robert Doolan tries, Doolan 2gls) G4 B&F: 3 Brent McDonald (M), 2 Matt Avandano (B), 1 Brett Wright (M).
Second Grade: MOREE 68 (Dylan Green 3, Kaedyn Smith 2, Tyler Daley 2, Brian Saunders 2, Jason Humphries, Jackson Shearer, Jade Girard, Aaron Annis-Brown tries, Kaedyn Smith 8gls) d BOGGABRI 10 (Rodney Orcher, Darren Certama tries, David Toomey gl) G4 B&F: 3 Kaedyn Smith (M), 2 Karl Wilson (B), 1 Jade Girard (M).
Ladies League Tag: MOREE 24 (Nikkiiah Murray, Leila Murray, Tileah McGrady, Ellie Capewell, Stacey McIntosh tries, Capewell 2gls) d BOGGABRI 6 (Annalise Martin try, Sophie Hendrie gl). G4 B&F: 3 Shai-Lee Smith (M), 2 Ashlyn Summers (B), 1 Ellie Capewell (M).
