Inverell no match for Bulls

With Damien Kelly, Heath Riggs, John Adams, Dan Taunton and Ben Colley all missing the Bulls hit the ground running.

Tries to Ben Carrigan, Maciu Latabua and Adam O’Neile ensured the Bulls ran out to a 19-0 lead at the break.

They scored again just after half time before running out comfortable 26-10 victors to continue to occupy top spot on the Central North ladder.

In the process they picked up another bonus point and jumped back in front of Narrabri who belted Scone 55-7.

Coach Peter Copeman said it was a controlled performance.

“It was a tough forward battle and probably our best performance of the year so far. It was further improvement on what we came up with last week,” he said.

“We started very well on a normally cold Inverell day, but everyone who put their hand up to play wanted to be there, which was encouraging.”

Inverell scored two quick tries of their own in the final quarter of the game to put some respectability into the scoreline, but the Bulls were far too good.

“Our lineouts were good, our scrums were good and despite all those players that were missing I thought we still had a very good side.”

Luther Williams was voted players’ player and Copeman said Ben Carrigan wasn’t too far behind.

“Ben played very well and controlled things well for us.

“Our ball control was very good and our defence was excellent,” he said.

It doesn’t get any easier for Moree with a trip to Tamworth this weekend as Pirates await.

It will be the first time the two have met since the Bulls eliminated Pirates from the competition in last year’s finals series.

“We’ll have to be on our game this week, that’s for sure. We should have all those players back so it’s important we have our best side available,” Copeman said.

In reserve grade Moree snuck home 24-19 while the under 18s were too good with a 37-19 victory