Kootinal-Moonbi Roosters repelled a determined North Tamworth Bears' second half effort to claim a 16-14 win in Saturday's Group 4 ladies league tag clash at Jack Woolaston Oval and join the Bears, Gunnedah Bulldogs and Dungowan Cowgirls at the top of the table.
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Gunnedah, Norths, Dungowan and Kootingal have all won seven games and share 14 points with the Bulldogs ahead on for and against.
On Saturday the Bears led early after a Rhiannon Graham try but slipped behind as the Roosters piled on three first half tries to lead 16-4 at the break.
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Aimee Diebold-Tindall, Rebekah Jenkins and Carly Redfern crossed for the Roosters to post a good lead before the Bears hit back in the second half as they dominated field position.
Tyla Endemi's try gave the Bears a lift. Kootingal almost hit back but Diebold-Tindall's pass was ruled forward and a certain try went begging.
Instead, it was Norths who scored when Kim Resch sliced through to convert her own try and make it 16-14 with two minutes left.
Time ran out for them though and the Roosters could celebrate a crucial win.
"It was a good game," Kootingal captain-coach Aby Schmiedel said.
"They (Norths) started well but we stayed positive and scored some really skillful tries. Our defence was great too. They (Norths) are a very strong, attacking side and we did well to match up with them."
Tayla King had a big game at fullback and Aimee Diebold-Tindall also excelled for the Roosters.
"All the girls were awesome," Schmiedel said.
"Carly (Redfern) was great, had an awesome running game and played with a lot of aggression."
North coach James Cooper said his side were "flat".
"Our first five minutes we were all right but the rest of the half we were poor," Cooper said.
"We lacked the punch and enthusiasm. In the second half we were able to build a bit of pressure but we lacked any real punch.
"When we controlled the ball we were good but Kooty were just too good. Put simply they deserved to win."
At the same time Gunnedah were recording a 40-4 win over Barraba.
Marni Mitchell's four tries was a highlight where Jacqui Jones polled the three best and fairest points.
Anna Smith and Dayna Porter both crossed for a pair of tries in Werris Creek's 24-4 win over the Narrabri Bluebirds at Collins Park, Narrabri and Moree also had a good 24-6 win over Boggabri at home with Shai-Lee Smith in outstanding form.
Jada Taylor's six try effort helped Dungowan Cowgirls to a 60-4 win over Manilla at Dungowan Recreation Reserve and the three points in the B&F kicked her up the B&F and tryscoring tables.
SCOREBOARDS
KOOTINGAL 16 (Carly Redfern, Aimee Diebold-Tindall, Rebekah Jenkins tries, Steph Fulwood 2gls) d NORTH TAMWORTH 14 (Rhiannon Graham, Tyla Endemi, Kim Resch tries, Resch gl) G4 B&F: 3 Carly Redfern (K), 2 Dhalara Knox (NT), 1 Steph Halpin (NT).
WERRIS CREEK 24 (Anna Smith 2, Dayna Porter 2, Hayley Flemming tries, Jess Baker 2gls) d NARRABRI 4 (Taylah Fogarty try) G4 B&F: 3 Casey Hatch (WC), 2 Jess Baker (WC), 1 Taylah Fogarty (N).
GUNNEDAH 40 (Marni Mitchell 4, Piper Rankmore, Charlotte Eather, Zoe Fleming tries, Fleming 6gls) d BARRABA 4 (Taylor Rogers try) G4 B&F: 3 Jacqui Jones (G), 2 Ashleigh Lowe (B), 1 Brittany Hughson (B).
MOREE 24 (Nekkiiah 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).
DUNGOWAN 60 (Jada Taylor 6, Ellie New 2, Jamie Blackler, Chloe Shanley tries, Emma Carrigan 5, Sarah Stackman 3gls) d MANILLA 4 (Kim Flett try) G4 B&F: 3 Jada Taylor (D), 2 Kim Flett (M), 1 Emma Carrigan (D).
