By Geoff Newling
Boggabri Kangaroos bounced back to winning form with a 44-20 win over Werris Creek Magpies in their Whitehaven Coal Group 4 First Grade game at Jubilee Oval, Boggabri, last weekend.
After capitulating to Kootingal the week prior in an amazing 34-32 loss, the Roos needed to erase that bad memory by playing well against the magpies. And that’s exactly what they did.
“It was a good win, a ruthless win,” Boggabri coach Shane Rampling told Group 4 Media after the game.
“We were pretty ruthless for 70 minutes. Just 10 minutes or so of the second half where the Creek scored a couple of tries.
“I asked the boys for a big effort after last week. We were still hurting (from that golden point lowlight) but the boys stood up today. They showed we can play good footy.
“Werris Creek are a good side and we put them to the sword for all but that 10 minute period in the second half.”
He said the game was “played at a frantic pace early”.
Werris Creek’s hopes received an early setback when fullback Ronin Hadden was sinbinned for swearing in the sixth minute and it gave the home side a numerical advantage they made good use of.
Werris Creek coach Dave Stewart said his side knew it was in for a tough game after the events of last week at Kootingal and while his side toiled hard it could not arrest the physical charges of the Roos.
“I’m just proud of all our players,” Dave Stewart told Group 4 Media.
“Really proud of all 17 of them.”
He and his Magpies now prepare for a home game against unbeaten Moree this Saturday while Boggabri has the bye.
“It was a four-point game for us today,” Shane Rampling added of his Roos.
“That was massive for us. We’ve got a few niggles so we can rest up before playing Moree the week after.”
Rampling thought his side’s kicking game was the best its been all season today as well.
“We kicked well, kicked into the corners and turned them around.”
He thought prop Nic Millar, who scored two tries, was outstanding.
“He had a massive game for us. Stino (Penisoni) had his best game for a while and Matt Avendano was real good when he came off the bench. Jack (Gillham) also had a massive game but everyone put their hand up. Everyone fought for each other. We had a point to prove. We are a good side.”
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