Moree to host Border Cup

Central North will be looking to claim victory against their Queensland rivals, who have kept the Cup on the north side of the border since the annual fixture began in 2014.

This is the first time Moree has hosted the Cup, and it won’t be the last, with Moree set to host the pre-season representative clash every second year from now on.

Moree Rugby Union Club president Paul King said it was decided to alternate the Cup between Moree and Goondiwindi to make it easier for all to get to each year.

“It’s more about centralising it for both teams and minimising the travel as much as possible,” he said.

Before the Border Cup first grade and under-19s matches on Saturday, Moree Weebolla Bulls will take on the Goondiwindi Emus in their first pre-season trial.

Narrabri Blue Boars and Warwick Water Rats will also meet in Moree for a trial match.

All the action will kick off at 1.45pm with the Narrabri and Warwick trial, followed by Moree and Goondiwindi.

The Central North and Darling Downs under-19s sides will then take to the field before the first grade match about 6.30pm.

A full bar and canteen will be in operation.

Being the first trial match of the 2017 season, King said it was hard to say how the Moree side would go but with some young blood on the team he’s confident of a good year ahead.

“I’m sure it’ll be pretty rusty around the edges,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of young guys coming to training so it’ll be a bit of a transition from the older ones. There’s a few new faces.”

King said numbers had been good at training, with at least 35 turning up each week.

“For this time of the year it’s very good,” he said.

The Bulls are hoping to get in a few more trial matches before the season begins on April 22.

Training is every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm and anyone interested in playing is welcome to come along. Any girls interested in joining a women’s team are also encouraged to get in contact with the club.