WERRIS Creek maintained its love affair with the pre-season Steve Pepperell Memorial Shield competition on
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Saturday.
The Magpies won it for the third time in its five-year history at Kootingal after winning both of their games.
The Creek faced reigning Group 4 Second Division premiers Barraba in the final game and needed to win it to be a chance to taking the title.
Against a Bulldogs side severely weakened since that grand final success the Magpies were convincing winners.
“We won our last game, beat Barraba 30-6,” Creek coach Ron Dellar said.
“We just beat them around the ruck because we were fitter than them.”
There were six teams involved in the tournament.
All six played two games each, with the trophy going to the side with the best record at the end of the day.
Kootingal also won both of its games but Creek won on for and against differential after it also rolled local rivals Quirindi 16-6 earlier in the day.
Kooty also beat Quirindi but its first match against Dungowan only produced a 4-nil win.
Bendemeer was the other side involved.
Creek is celebrating its centenary this season and winning the charity event is a great way to start it.
“We were good around the ruck,” Dellar said.
“That’s where we got them.
“Peter Darcy scored two tries in the Barraba game.
“He played well.
“And Phil Beaton and Thomas Brown were good too.”
Money raised at the Pep Shield goes to the Cancer Council.
Creek continues its build-up to the second division season with a three-way trial next week.
“We play Gunnedah at Werris Creek and Kooty is also coming down,” Dellar said.
“That should be a good and then we have the (Wests) Knockout.”
The premiership starts on April 14.