The Narrabri Blues welcomed the Moree Boars back to Group 4 Rugby League with plenty of "bell-ringing" tackles in Sunday's first grade clash in Narrabri.
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The Blues kicked on from a 6-4 half-time lead to win 18-10 in the round one clash.
Jake Rumsby, who debuted as Narrabri captain-coach on Sunday, described the match-up as "very tough".
"There will be a few sore boys tomorrow," the Blues prop said.
"It was great - a great game of footy and a real good crowd too."
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Ben Williams was also making his debut as captain-coach of the Boars and agreed with Rumsby's thoughts on the clash.
"Welcome back to rugby league," Williams said with a laugh.
"It was very tough. She was a bit of a war zone out there.
"We had a few head knocks, lost a couple to the HIA [Head Injury Assessment]. Quite a physical game that first 15 or 20 minutes.
"Probably the hardest I've played in but it was good and we have a lot of positives to come out of it."
He thought one of the losses to the HIA was potentially the difference between a win and a loss.
"If Cameron Rodgers stays on and not goes off with the HIA, we might have won," Williams said.
"He was unreal in defence, real good."
Chad Banks was another to star, the backrower marking his first grade debut for the Boars with a big game in attack and defence.
Meanwhile, Narrabri centre Dennis Gordon was a standout for the Blues, Rumsby said.
"He was making his club debut too. He's originally from Coffs but played a year of rugby with Gunnedah [in 2019]. We got lucky and picked up a very good outside back," Rumsby said.
Fullback Damon Gleeson was another to shine for the Blues.
NARRABRI 18 (Damon Gleeson, Blake Hilderson, Todd Nichols tries, Nichols 3gls) d MOREE 10 (Silas Haines, Jake Tighe tries, Ben Williams gl) B&F: 3 Dennis Gordon (N), 2 Ben Williams (M), 1 Sam Sadler (N).
Second Grade: MOREE 30 (David Annis-Brown 3, Ben Linnet, Steven Barthoomew, Adrian Smith tries, Smith 3Jake Tighe gls) d NARRABRI 24 (Jason Wallace 3, Kurt Wallace, James Smith, Toby Howarth tries) B&F: 3 David Annis-Brown (M), 2 Kurt Wallace (N), Adrian Smith (M).
Ladies League Tag: NARRABRI 16 (Lidia McCauley, Kimberley Laurie, Tyalah Fogarty tries, Telisha Hilderson 2gls) d MOREE 14 (Nerruah Murray, Leila Murray, Isleah McGrady tries, McGrady gl) B&F: 3 Telisha Hilderson (N), 2 Shai-Lee Smith (M), 1 Natalie Mason (N).
