The Moree Boars sealed back-to-back Group 4 rugby league premierships with a convincing 32-16 win against the Gunnedah Bulldogs in the grand final at Boughton Oval last Sunday.

Seeking its first premiership since 1998, Gunnedah rarely looked a chance while Moree was simply too good.

After the Bulldogs beat the Boars 28-14 back in round two on May 4, the reigning premiers won the next three encounters involving the two teams – all at Moree’s home ground – including a semi-final and the grand final.

It was telling that the Boars repeatedly overcame adversity in the decider, while the Bulldogs paid dearly for their mistakes.

The occasion was also marred by unruly behaviour from a contingent of Gunnedah supporters, prompting ground managers to warn the culprits a couple of times.

Each side completed its first set, before Gunnedah fullback Dylan Lake spilled a swirling bomb from Moree halfback Michael Watton.

Boars fullback Steve McIntosh soon outsmarted Gunnedah’s defence, as he feigned to pass from acting-half and then touched down for the opening try in the third minute.

Dangerous tackles resulted in three quick penalties to the Bulldogs, but then a knock-on from Nick White was followed by a penalty to the Boars for a shoulder charge.

After Moree was penalised for a shepherd, Lake scored a fine individual try as he chased down his own rolling kick to enable the Bulldogs to draw level.

Lake made a break in the next set, only for the Bulldogs to falter with a try beckoning moments later.

The Bulldogs could have moved ahead 8-6 with a gift penalty goal, but they sought a try instead and failed to profit.

Following the next penalty to Moree, Jake Tighe scored the first of his three tries to set up a 12-6 lead for the Boars.

The Boars were twice penalised in possession, with the latter instance appearing costly as Daniel Jobson was sent to the sin bin with half-time five minutes away.

The game instead shifted decisively in Moree’s favour, as Alex Barker threw a dummy and cut through for a crucial four-pointer merely 38 seconds from half-time.

A second successive sideline conversion from Adrian Smith took the hosts to an 18-6 lead.

Clever work from Boars player-coach Jamie Sampson set up the first try of the second half, with Tighe soaring over in the corner before Adrian Smith nailed another splendid conversion.

A chance for Gunnedah to reply was lost when Jared Heinrich spilled the ball with the tryline looming, before Mckye Tucknott fumbled at dummy-half.

Moree moved ahead 28-6 with 20 minutes left following a try to Kaedyn Smith, before the Bulldogs received a string of penalties.

A sneaky try to captain Callum Hayne enabled Gunnedah to trail 28-12 with 15 minutes left, and then Kaedyn Smith was sin-binned in the 73rd minute.

An unconverted try to Heinrich meant Gunnedah was mathematically a chance of levelling the scores with two converted tries in the final four minutes, but then a handling error virtually sealed the deal.

The Boars fittingly had the final say, as Sampson cleverly delayed a long pass to Barker who sent an unmarked Tighe across for his hat-trick.

Mckye Tucknott in action for Gunnedah in the grand final.