BOGGABRI beat Gunnedah Bulldogs for the first time in more than half a century when the fought back to claim a 24-22 thriller an the Boyde Campbell Cup clash at Kitchener Park.
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The Roos had not beaten Gunnedah since 1964, confirmed Boggabri Rugby League Football president Greg Haire after the Roos had carved out a two-point win in a crucial match.
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"But we haven't played them that much, either," Haire said. "After 1964, a lot of our players left the club and we went back to second division.
"We didn't play them again until the '80s when we were back up in first division, but then went down again.
"We haven't beaten them since we went back up up to first division in 2018 with Werris Creek, Kootingal and Dungowan."
Haire described Saturday's result as "enormous".
"We had three props out (Nic Millar, Ben Haire and Willie Urquhart)," he said, adding that Josh Trindall and Eden Blewitt were also missing.
"So they all did a great job," he said. "I can't believe it, really. It does make all the hard work worthwhile. Shane is over the moon."
Boggabri coach Shane Rampling was, indeed, elated.
"I'm proud as punch," he said. "It was touch and go there.
"I thought we were down and out but we found a way get out of it and then Rob Doolan kicked the penalty goal to win the game."
Gunnedah led 12-0 and 16-6 early before a Doolan try clawed the Roos back to a 16-12 deficit at halftime.
"We got back to 16-16, too, in the second half but they skipped away again," Rampling said. "We were chasing the game all day. They all stood up."
The Kangaroos jumped Gunnedah into fifth place, with four wins from the opening eight rounds.
Boggy's roving photographer, Sue Haire, was there to document the jubilation, and the despair.
BOGGABRI 24 (Isaiah Adams, Robert Doolan, Matt Gillham, Aaron Hobden tries, Doolan 4 gls) d GUNNEDAH 22 Paul Sharpley 2, Dylan O'Brien, Liam Ireland tries, O'Brien 3 gls) G4 B&F: 3 Jackson Brookman (G), 2 Matt Gillham (B), Isaiah Adams (B).
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Second Grade: GUNNEDAH 36 (Tony Griffiths 2, Jack Reeves, Thomas Randall, Farran Lamb, Ben Gardner, Michael Long tries, Johnathon Crowe 4gls) d BOGGABRI 14 (Rowan Keeler, Nicholas Hobden tries, David Toomey 2, Ashley White gls) G4 B&F: 3 William Waggs (G), 2 Karl Wilson (B), 1 Lachlan King (G).
Under 18: NARRABRI 24 (Christopher Clark, Brodie Willock, Billy Youman, Johnno Evans, Cameron Worrall tries, Zack Doring 2gls) d GUNNEDAH 18 (Brayden Shields, Bailey Swain, Jayden Windsor, Braydon Talbott-Hatch tries, Bailey Swain gl) G4 B&F: 3 Timothy Shields (N), 2 Bailey Swain (G), 1 Jeffrey Harvey (N)
Ladies League Tag: GUNNEDAH 48 (Charlotte Eather 2, Nautica Eather 2, Maddison Buhagiar, Deneka Jones, Kaisha Edwards, Billie-Jo Power, Martina Mitchell tries, Zoe Fleming 5, Lucy Merlehan gls) d BOGGABRI 0. G4 B&F: 3 Zoe Fleming (G), 2 Jacqui Jones (G), 1 Caitlyn Dewar (B).
WEG GROUP 4 TABLES
After Round 8 - Unofficial
FIRST GRADE (for and against in brackets): Kootingal (300-126) 14, Narrabri (174-134) 12, North Tamworth (208-154) 9, Moree (164-164) 8, Boggabri (188-258) 8, Gunnedah (207-222) 6, Werris Creek (168-282) 4, Dungowan (135-204) 1.
