Group 4 Rugby League: Narrabri beat Gunnedah 30-24 in a thriller

Both sides dominated at different times in a tough and physical contest that wasn't decided until the final few minutes.

The Blues led 4-nil early, trailed 6-4 and then led 14-12 at half-time and 20-12 after five minutes of the second half before the visiting Bulldogs hit back to grab a 24-20 lead 13 minutes from full time.

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Gunnedah were in charge and the home side tired when winger Kih McDonald finished off a move started by a great wide pass from Reece Jaeger to Nick Altman.

McDonald beat Narrabri fullback Damon Gleeson for the second time in the game as the pendulum turned the Bulldogs way.

"I thought we were gone too," Narrabri captain-coach Jake Rumsby admitted in the sheds after the game.

However the Blues responded, fighting their way back with Brodie Rumsby and Daniel Jobson instrumental in storming runs back to the Gunnedah 20.

Mitch Dening's run and inside pass to centre Dennis Gordon allowed him enough room to crash over for the match-equalling try.

Jacob Nichols missed the conversion and then a penalty from the same area as the game remained locked at 24-all with a couple of minutes to play.

A crucial dropped ball just two minutes from full time and just 15m from its own line sunk the Bulldogs as the Blues worked right and then returned to the wide left where Gordon beat two desperate defenders in a short but vital run to the line to seal a 30-24 win.

"It was an awesome feeling," Gordon said in the sheds after the game.

While beaten, the Bulldogs were game, gutsy and good.

"It was a good game of footie," Gunnedah coach Mick Schmiedel said.

"We had our chances. I wasn't disappointed in the result just disappointed how the loss came about.

"We made mistakes but it's a shame it came down to two dubious calls."

He was highly critical of two linesman calls for a forward pass and a knock-on in the dying stages. Two calls that cruelled his side, he reckoned.

The dubious decisions aside he was delighted with the effort of his side in a high intensity and physically challenging contest.

KC Edmonds was one of his side's best, the top-knotted lock dangerous with ball in hand and also in defence.

Jaeger had another good game, his quick hands and spiralling bombs a feature.

Altman also excelled, the former winger starting in the backrow and playing well above his weight.

"He's been our Mr Fixit," Schmiedel said.

Rumsby was happy and proud, the captain-coach leading from the front with another big game.

"Very, very happy and very proud of the boys. Couldn't be prouder," he told Group 4 Media.

When told his side looked "gone" he nodded and agreed. That made the win even more sweeter, that his side had dug deep into their fitness reserves, physically and emotionally, to come back late the way the Blues did.

"They all dug deep," he said.

"Showed a lot of heart today. That was a massive win for us."

He and prop Daniel Jobson were outstanding up front while his older brother, Brodie, came off the bench with some big minutes.

Nichols was a threat all game at hooker with some jinking, sneaking runs from dummy half, scoring a crucial try into the bargain from a quick tap.

Five-eighth Hayden Bell also played a huge role, his service and defence outstanding, one tackle in the second half on winger Paul Sharpley snapping the Bulldog player's ankles with a wonderful low tackle and snuffing out any thoughts of a fifth-tackle raid early in the second half.

First Grade: NARRABRI 30 (Dennis Gordon 2, Damon Gleeson, Lachlan Trindall, Jacob Nichols, Jake Rumsby tries, Nichols 3gls) d GUNNEDAH 24 (Kih McDonald 2, Liam Ireland, Aaron Donnelly tries, Dylan O'Brien 3gls) G4 B&F: 3 Jacob Nichols (N), 2 Aiden Davis (G), 1 Dennis Gordon (N).

Second Grade: GUNNEDAH 44 (Farran Lamb, Thomas Randall 2, Jared Heinrich, Will Maggs, Jason Smith, Rhyce Kliendienst tries, Farran Lamb 6gls) d NARRABRI 16 (Rylee Saddler, Liam Doyle, Trent Keeler tries, Kaleb Mowle 2gls) G4 B F: Farran Lamb (G), 2 Rylee Saddler (N), 1 Daniel Head (G).

Under 18: GUNNEDAH 50 (Joash Boney 2, Bailey Swain 2, Jock Ford 2, Charlie Lawrence, Archer Harrison, Braydon Talbot-Hatch tries, Swain 7gls) d NARRABRI 0. G4 B F: 3 Bailey Swain (G), 2 Jock Ford (G), 1 Billy Youman (N).

Ladies League Tag: GUNNEDAH 66 (Piper Rankmore 4, Jacqui Jones 3, Zoe Fleming 2, Billie-Jo Power, Daneka Jones tries, Fleming 9gls) d NARRABRI 0. G4 B F: ZOE Fleming (G), 2 Lidia McCauley (N), Piper Rankmore (G).

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