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The execution might have been lacking in the Gunnedah Red Devils’ hit out against Tamworth Magpies on Saturday but the desired result was achieved.
The synopsis by Devils co-coach Tim Walsh comes after Gunnedah eased in a 38-0 victory against fledgling Central North Rugby Union club, the Magpies, on the weekend.
The win will ensure Gunnedah closes out the final game of the first half of the season inside the competition’s top five and remain eligible to vie for the season’s top premiership title.
The victory was on the back of arduous undertaking in the north one week earlier, where they were locked in a battle of attrition against competition leaders Narrabri.
“We didn’t play as well as the week before but we were probably still suffering the effects of that earlier game,” Walsh said.
“We certainly weren’t as good at the breakdown.”
Despite their misgivings, he thought on the whole it was a good result after a tough few weeks on the paddock.
“We’re guaranteed that top-five position now,” he said.
Devils’ second-rower Josh Howard again silenced the banter from his backline and posted two tries for his Gunnedah side.
The tries, which this week both emanated off lineouts, are the second cluster of points scored by the foraging forward this season according to coach Walsh after another two-try haul earlier this year.
Also making inroads in attack and defence was fullback James Perrett, aided by rock-solid defence by the Devils’ two centres.
“I can’t remember Tamworth making a single line break,” he said.
The coach considered the few unforced errors which the Devils did concede on the weekend as part and parcel of the style of game they’re seeking to play.
“We want to play attacking football and you’re going to make those mistakes sometimes,” he said.
“We need to start looking forward to playing these big three teams again – Moree, Pirates and Narrabri.”
The Devils face Inverell this weekend in the last round match before the draw for the second half of the season is drafted in the road to the finals.