FOR the second time this season, the Narrabri Blue Boars have defeated the Gunnedah Red Devils.
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Two tries and a successful conversion from Bradley Swain was not enough to keep the visitors in the game as the Blue Boars recorded a 31-12 victory.
Matthew McDonell, Sam Knight, Jydon Hill and Jake Packer all scored tries in the home side's win, while Michael Cain finished with four conversions and a penalty goal for the game.
The result could prove vital to both sides finals aspirations as the Blue Boars bypassed the Red Devils on the Central North ladder after the win.
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The win sees Narrabri hold onto third place on the ladder behind Walcha and Moree, while still sitting a point clear of Pirates in fourth.
For Gunnedah, the loss sees them tumble out of the top four into fifth position, 11 points clear of Scone in sixth.
Red Devils hooker Matthew Hannay said a sluggish start hurt his side's chances of winning.
"We started far too slow, probably didn't have enough communication and didn't adjust well to the unique refereeing style," Hannay told the Namoi Valley Independent.
"We had almost zero possession through the first half, which meant most of the lads were completely gassed.
"Once we got behind, we were far too tired to claw it back in the second half."
While hurting from the defeat, Hannay was looking at the positives from the game and said the side would use the loss as a "learning curve".
"I think we have to look at the game that way and learn from it, or we might as well have Mad Monday now," he said.
"The start is just so important these days as it sets the platform for the whole game.
"There are things we have to improve on but mostly it's about applying a bit of polish to what we already know."
The Red Devils will now turn their attention to hosting the Inverell Highlanders on Saturday at the Gunnedah Rugby Park.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
