Moree Bulls managed to just hold off a second-half surge by the Gunnedah Red Devils to secure their fifth victory of the 2018 Central North rugby union competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Spurred on by a sizeable home crowd at Weebolla Oval on Saturday, the Bulls charged ahead in the first half, leading the visitors 33-7 during the round six clash.
However, complacency set in the second half which, coupled with a few injuries and refereeing decisions that didn’t go their way, saw the Bulls’ lead on Gunnedah shrink as the Red Devils came back fighting.
“We made it a bit difficult for ourselves,” first grade coach Peter Copeman said.
“We were leading 33-7 and relaxed a little in the second half.
“Gunnedah came back 40-33. It ended up a little tight in the last few minutes but the guys held on. It got a bit tense there; there were a few interesting referee decisions and a few decisions that didn’t go our way.”
READ ALSO:
With Gunnedah just a few points behind Moree on the 2018 Central North competition ladder, Copeman said the boys were expecting a tough match and that’s exactly what they got.
“Gunnedah are a good side and our guys rested on our laurels,” he said.
Despite the close second half, the Bulls proved the better side, managing to hold off the Red Devils’ attack to claim the win 40-33.
It ended up a little tight in the last few minutes but the guys held on.
- Peter Copeman, Moree Bulls first grade coach
Copeman said it was the backs who shone for the Bulls on Saturday.
“When we got some ball our backs looked sharp and scored some good tries,” he said.
“We lost our way a bit in the second half but we held on.”
Standout player was halfback Nick Smith who was “by far and away the best on the field”.
Jaime Sampson, Hayden Wiblen, Mitch Adams and Kyle O’Connor also had good games, helping lead the Bulls to victory.
With five wins and just one loss under their belt this season, the Bulls, sitting in second place on the first grade ladder, are hot on the heels of competition leaders and favourites Tamworth Pirates.
Copeman is pleased with how the season is tracking but with two teams still to play in the first round, he’s not getting ahead of himself just yet.
Meawhile, Moree’s second grade side were also victorious against Gunnedah, coming away with a 45-12 win.
The Bulls will travel to Scone this Saturday to take on the Brumbies.