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They might be five competition points shy of a finals position but there is still plenty of rugby ahead for the Gunnedah Red Devils reserve grade.
The Keith Perrett-coached side ran out well deserved 26-7 winners over the Scone Brumbies on Saturday.
First grade had the bye in the new two-tier competition on the weekend, allowing the reserves to capitalise on its playing potential.
Perrett was suitably chuffed by the performance of his new look forward pack, with many of the regulars out to injury.
Josh Gold made a star-studded return to the front-row after a couple of years absence owing to a shoulder injury.
Simon Elsley was also strong for the Devils, as was Greg Campbell and Joe Duffy.
The reinjection of flyaway, five-eight Pete Henderson was another bonus.
Also back from injury, Henderson was a standout on Saturday and picked up his side’s player’s player honours.
“He’s been out with a broken foot,” coach Perrett said.
“But he pulled up pretty good after last weekend.”
It is Henderson’s leadership and guidance that the coach hoped would put the side in good stead in the coming weeks.
“He gives the rest of the backs just that little bit more experience and direction,” he said.
Narrabri sit in fourth position and only five points ahead in of the Devils on the second grade leaderboard.
The Magpies are only another three points in front of Narrabri and Perrett has the utmost belief his troops have got the potential to chase them down.
“We’ve got tougher games in front us but we’ve also got plenty of time to make it up,” he said.
Next up is the top-of-the-table Moree outfit on Saturday in Moree.
It’s an ominous undertaking but the Devils are up to the challenge and well aware of the requirements.
“We’ll have to be more physical than we have in the past,” Perrett said.
“We’ll have to do the basics right and keep our forwards going forward.
“We’ve got the organisation in the backs.
“And we’ve got good pace out wide.
“We just need to pull it together.
“We need to show these (Moree) guys how good we are.”