Group 4 women's nines: Kootingal, Boggabri and Werris Creek post opening round

The Kooty Chicks kicked off proceedings with a 30-16 win over Manilla.

After leading 14-6 at half-time, a second half hat-trick from Cassie Skuthorpe saw the Chicks run away with it. She finished with four tries for the game, her fourth and last coming with just under a minute remaining.

It was an impressive performance from the Chicks with a lot of the side having never played tackle league before.

"A couple of them were a bit scared of getting in there and having a go but I think once they got that first contact they were right, they went no it's not too bad," captain Jess Hall said.

Hall reflected on experiencing similar feelings before her first game of tackle league - which was only the previous weekend at the Koori Knockout.

Invited by one of the girls she plays league tag with to play, she suited up for Walgett Aboriginal Connection (WAC) and said it was a great experience.

"I was very nervous that first game. I think I forgot my mouthguard, I don't even think I did my shoes up properly, but it was good," she said.

"After the first contact I went it's not too bad."

They made it through to the preliminary finals where they went down to eventual winners Wellington.

A celebration of indigenous culture, this year's tournament attracted a record 165 men's, women's and junior teams.

"It was good for my culture too; just proud to be out there," Hall said.

"You put that shirt on and you just feel one step higher and a bit untouchable some times".

At least until you get hit, she added.

The interest and opportunities in the tackle game is growing and Hall said it is good to have this competition to "expose girls to rugby league" and hopes it will develop into something more.

She noted that the Port Macquarie area has full competitions running.

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"We're nearly as big as them so hopefully we can get going and get to the same level," she said.

Saturday was, she said, a hard game.

The first of three rounds, it has given the side plenty to build-off, Hall highlighting a bit more more back-up when they make those breaks as one area they can improve.

She said it will also be good to get those girls that have never played tackle before more a few more contact sessions at training.

"And hopefully they can come out the next week and go a bit harder," she said.

The second game saw Boggabri prevail 36-20 over the South West Robins in what was a see-sawing and entertaining tussle.

Boggy game out firing, scoring inside the first couple of minutes. But the Robins answered with two quick tries, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Toni Gale sealed the win for the Boggy on the siren after captain Cloe Davis had snuck out of dummy half to push them out beyond a try with a-minute-and-a-half to play.

Werris Creek then outgunned Gunnedah 38-8.

Tobi-Lee Clough put the exclamation point on the win, and a dominant second half from the Magpies, with a runaway try after the bell.

The Creek started strongly with captain Anna Smith crossing twice in the space off two minutes, to put them up 10-nil after seven minutes. But the Bulldogs stormed back into the game with two quick tries, Piper Rankmore's four-pointer with 30 seconds remaining making the difference two at the break.

Smith scored her third early inside the first minute of the second half and from there it was all the Magpies.