There was plenty of hype leading into Sunday’s Group 19 clash between the Moree Boomerangs and the Glen Innes Magpies and it certainly lived up to it.
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The top two A grade teams went to battle with the Rangs eyeing off the minor premiership and the Magpies hoping to cement second place on the table.
Barely three minutes in, the Rangs landed the first blow with a try to winger Jonathan Munro before Magpies hooker Guy Mepham returned serve 10 minutes later.
Mepham bustled his way over again at the 18-minute mark to edge in front 12-6.
Three minutes before half-time, Moree front rower Toby Key found the tryline to level things up to 12-all at the break.
It took 15 minutes for points to be scored in the second session with Rangs halfback Willy Fernando finding space down the right side of the field.
Injuries to the Magpies began to take their toll and Jamie Sampson was next to score for the visitors after a 50 metre dash to the line.
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Glen Innes were quick to respond via winger Joel Jackson and the score was 24-18 with 13 minutes left on the clock.
With 30 seconds left to play, Moree sealed the 28-18 win with a four-pointer to Lloyd Munro.
Boomerangs coach Chris Binge lamented errors and discipline cost them in the first-half but was pleased with the effort in the second stanza.
“Our discipline wasn't really great in the first-half, a few unforced errors as well,” he said.
“We talked about what we had to do in that second-half and I think our execution was great.
“We didn't get overawed by the situation, we didn't get caught back up into that undisciplined stuff in the second-half, we were way better disciplined in the second-half.
“Overall the result came off the back of effort after effort.”
While ball handling was below par for both sides, intensity was high and Binge applauded both teams’ defensive efforts.
“It was a scrappy, it ebbed and flowed, there were a lot of errors but I think the reason there were a lot of errors is because of the intensity,” he said.
“I think today [Sunday] people got a good taste of what the next three or four weeks is going to bring.
“Glen Innes is a tough side, they are going to be there when it counts.
“I think they are the best team we have played all year based on their defence.”
The Rangs will round out the regular season this Saturday with a local derby against the Boars.
Binge said his team will aim to consolidate everything they have worked on throughout the season.
“It is a big game, it is a local derby and after our last game it waters the mouth a little bit,” he said.
“We aren't seeing it as anything but it being the last round of competition.”