Boggabri were tough, they never gave in and forced North Tamworth to produce their best to win at the Kootingal Oval in Saturday’s under 18s preliminary final.
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The Bears won 24-16 after leading 12-nil early but then slipping behind 16-12 early in the second half.
The Kangaroos had scored two late first half tries to Michael Long and Jared Heinrich to go into the half-time break down 12-10.
When Bailey Lennox charged over four minutes into the second half the Roos were on top.
However, Bears five-eighth Tom Sharman then engineered a brilliantly simple try for Kobe Bone for the Bears to retake the lead and then just a few minutes later Lachlan Bone dashed over from dummy half to make it 24-16.
Boggabri fought it out to the end with the Roos thinking they were over a few minutes from full-time but five-eighth Lennox was penalised for a double movement.
It was a gallant effort from the Roos and a resilient display by the Bears who had copped a touch up against Dungowan the week before when their halves, Tom Sharman and Jackson Finlay, were unavailable.
“They were a different side today,” said Norths coach Ken Allan.
“The halves were back. Tom had a great game.”
He also said Tommy Learoyd-Lahrs coaches the club’s under 16s who won their minor league grand final on Saturday morning.
“And I had four of their players backing up in our side,” Allan said.
“It was a great effort today but the best thing was Boggabri hit the front and we were good enough to come back. It was a great team effort, I’m so proud of the boys. They’ve come a long way.
“We just have to go away and prepare for Dungowan now.”
While the halves were good, fullback Malaki Johnson was dangerous and props Ryan Potter and Ethan Pallot also excelled with second-rower Jake Bennett.
Boggabri had a number of standouts with five-eighth Bailey Lennox and fullback Jonathan Crowe creating plenty of chances. Hawken Durrant was also exceptionally strong in attack and defence with back-rowers Isaac Harris, Tyron Rankmore and Cameron Devine mobile and able to make many metres.
NORTH TAMWORTH 24 (Hudson Summerfield, Jake Bennett, Kobe Bone tries, Hudson Shaw 4gls) d BOGGABRI 16 (Jared Heinrich, Michael Long, Bailey Lennox tries, Jonathan Crowe gl)
