Group 4 Rugby League: Werris Creek upset North Tamworth 32-24

Entering the sixth round game Norths were on top of the table with four wins from five games and a for and against record of 162 (for)-98 (against).

Werris Creek were seventh, having won just one of their five games and showing a negative for and against of 100-164.

However the home side disregarded those statistics and worked on "running with intent".

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The lift in intensity enabled the Magpies to score six tries to four and topple the reigning premiers, a side they hadn't beaten anywhere for a long, long time.

In fact, Werris Creek RLFC president Kevin "Darby" Sherlock, couldn't remember exactly where or when.

"Sometime in the '90s," the former hooker and current club supremo told Group 4 Media after his club's presentation ceremonies at the Werris Creek Tennis and Bowling Club.

"Tried to work it out earlier, but you have to go back to the '90s. That's how long it's been. It's just been a magnificent day, the boys dug deep, North Tamworth kept coming too, especially in the second half."

Magpies co-coach Thomas Browne said "the boys were pumped" for the clash.

"No one gave us much of a chance," Browne said.

"We started well though and we didn't drop our heads when they (Norths) scored first. They kept their heads up and turned it around. We got the next try and built the pressure, kept the pressure on too.

"Cody had talked to the boys before the game about running with intent," he said of his co-coach Cody Tickle.

"We did that really well. We got on the front foot and minimised our errors. Then we held on for dear life.

"We did have a few lapses and Norths made the most of those errors but we hung in. A big effort from everyone but a couple of the boys were great."

He was referring to centre Kieran Williams, who scored three tries, in a massive game along with lock Zac Leonard.

"They supported the props really well, came in did a lot of work," Browne added.

"Isaah and Harlee (Millgate brothers) were great, got the ball wide and put players into holes.

"It was just a very proud day for us, very, very proud of the boys, proud of every one of them."

He said Williams was named his side's players player while Harlee Millgate received the three points in the G4 Best & Fairest award.

North Tamworth coach Brad McManus was disappointed by the result but complimentary of the Magpies after trying to recoup some liquid dominance with a boat race after the presentations.

"We got our pants pulled down today," McManus said.

"They were way too good for us, Way better than us. Can't take anything away from them, they were really good today."

He said it was frustrating to watch his side "drop too much ball" and play "some silly stuff".

"We were dreadful," he continued.

"Glad we've got this weekend off, we can go back to the drawing board and get back into the grind.

"We might have come down here a bit lackadaisical, thought we had an easy win in the back of our minds."

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