RUGBY LEAGUE:
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It was a war of attrition at Kitchener Park on Saturday afternoon when Group 4’s top-two went head-to-head in the last regular round of the season.
North Tamworth had the wood over Gunnedah again and were deserved 46-12 winners.
However there was little doubt in the mind of Bulldogs coach Shane Rampling, that Norths were left rattled by the home side’s tenacity in the opening exchanges.
“In that first 20 minutes we competed really well,” he said.
“We were on the front foot and up in (Norths) faces.
“I was speaking to a few Norths players after the game and they said the first half was one of the most physical they’ve had all year.”
Only a converted try was the difference for the majority of the half until a few quicks tries stretched that margin to almost triple at drinks.
As the game wore on, Gunnedah’s already prevalent injury list grew worse almost by the minute.
“We lost DJ (Smith) early,” Rampling said.
“He copped a high shot to the jaw but should be alright for the next few weeks.”
Forwards Shane Blair and Mark Sankey weren’t in great shape either and both suffered shoulder injuries.
The depleted substitution bench called on plenty of hard yards from the Bulldogs forward pack which delivered admirably, given the circumstances.
Gunnedah captain and player’s player Jordy Ford led from the front for the side which was also aided by a number of Toby Morris’ line breaks.
Robert Briggs found an opening in Norths defensive line and broke through a number of defenders to score Gunnedah’s first points of the match.
Jie Smith followed suit soon after with a great individual effort off an intercept.
In reserve grade, the Dogs went down in a heavy 72-22 defeat to Norths and while the Gunnedah Ladies League Tag side lost a close one, 18-8 to Norths.
The Bulldogs under-18s however continue to impress and last weekend dished out a tight 10-6 victory against Norths.
Brendan Gillham and Hayden Smith scored a try each for the top-placed Bulldogs outfit.
Impressively, all four Bulldogs grades will be playing Group 4 finals football this season.
The action starts this weekend with the Bulldogs League Tag side taking on Wee Waa in the minor semi-final at Scully Park on Sunday, starting 9.45am. Bulldogs reserve grade will face Oxley Diggers in the minor as well at Scully Park at 1.15pm.
The following Sunday, Gunnedah U18s will play Narrabri and first grade takes on Norths in the major semi-finals at North Tamworth.