Group 4 Round 1: Boggabri upset last year's minor premiers as 2022 season kicks-off

On Saturday they went one better, beating last year's minor premiers 40-22.

The Roos sparkled in the first half of their season opener, leading 30-4 at the break before Narrabri fought back to trail 30-22 halfway through the second half.

The Shane Rampling-coached Roos steadied with two late tries to seal the match after former captain-coach, Paul Hassab, had kicked off.

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Hassab was back in town celebrating 80 years of the family business in Boggabri.

He coached the Roos to their first ever premiership in 1963 when they beat West Tamworth Robins 22-10. He also played two seasons with Canterbury in the 1964-65 seasons and represented Country when they beat an International-strewn City side.

Returning to the region Hassab later captained Gunnedah to a Group 4 premiership in 1973, winning the Clayton Cup as well.

Rampling was delighted "especially with the first half".

"We were enthusiastic and energetic," he told G4 Media.

"They played for each other."

While they dropped off in the first half of the second half they responded to finish strong with props Nic Millar and Jay Urquhart prominent.

Bench forwards Bailey Lennox and Nick Lyons also excelled when they entered the fray while halfback Josh Trindall controlled the game well with a great kicking game.

Centre Robert Doolan also starred and made numerous breaks out wide after setting up the first try of the match for Trindall after breaking clear on halfway.

Narrabri coach Jake Rumsby said his side was "terrible in that first half".

Halfback Todd Nichols was impressive while prop Daniel Jobson went non-stop in a powerful game that was rewarded with a second half try. Centre Sam Sadler also impressed.

The Roos also got up in the ladies league tag 28-10 but were just edged out in reserve grade going down 20-16.

Backrower Jack Gillham was adjudged players' player for first grade, Andrew Cameron and Clifford Jr Toomey reserve grade and Kaiya Hendrie and Ava Hannaford the ladies league tag.

RESULTS

First Grade: BOGGABRI 40 (Kaylan Murray 2, Josh Trindall, Jack Gillham, Bailey Lennox, Nic Millar, Rhyce Kliendienst tries, Rob Doolan 6gls) d NARRABRI 22 (Lachie Trindall, Travis Small, Daniel Jobson, Sam Sadler tries, Todd Nichols 3gls) G4 B&F: 3 Rob Doolan (B), 2 Todd Nichols (Narr), 1 Cameron Kerr (B).

Second grade: NARRABRI 20 (Tyler Frazer, Wade Frazer, Rylee Saddler, Darren Mason tries, Thomas Bruce, Darren Mason gls) d BOGGABRI 16 (Clifford Toomey 2, Rodney Lamb tries, Kurt Wallace, Rowan Keeler gls) G4 B&F: 3 Clifford Toomey (B), 2 Trent Keeler (Narr), 1 Noel Mason (Narr).

Ladies League Tag: BOGGABRI 28 (Kaiya Grace-Hendrie 2, Molly Dawson, Antoinette Wenner, Ava Hannaford, Alice Donnelly tries, Telisha Henderson 2gls) d NARRABRI 10 (Amelia Gosper tries, Kristie Toomey gl) G4 B&F: 3 Ava Hannaford (B), 2 Amelia Gosper (Narr), 1 Caitlyn Dewar (B).

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