Statewide Wrap: Nine-year drought over as Inverell downs Tingha in Group 19, PMP decider set

Tallon Smith

The Inverell Hawks have taken out their first Group 19 title in nine years after a 22-12 win over the Tingha Tigers in the Grand Final at Varley Oval on Sunday afternoon.

After going down in the last two deciders against Narwan and Warialda, it was third time lucky for the Hawks as they held on for a 10-point win for the ages in front of a large crowd, many of which were dressed in maroon and white.

Inverell winger Ethan Anderson said that the squad drew on their two previous losses for motivation to take out the premiership on their third attempt.

“It means a lot, third year in the Grand Final, we’ve lost the last two, so there was a lot of drive in the boys to get the job done this year,” he said.

“We’ve had a good year through the regular season, and to finally get that win, it means a lot to the group.

“It’s been the same group the last three years, so to finally get that win it means a lot to us.”

Tingha opened the scoring, going on to open up an 8-6 lead at half time after having the better of play in the opening stanza.

However, three quick tries to open the second half turned the tide, giving Inverell a 22-8 lead, which was enough for the Hawks to hold on and take home the title.

Anderson said that despite being down at half time, the Hawks always had the belief that they would win the match.

“We were happy only being down 8-6 at half time with the amount of possession they had,” he said.

Earlier, the Warialda Wombats took out Group 19’s first Reserve Grade competition since the pandemic with a 32-26 win over the Moree Boomerangs.

Last season’s first grade premiers, the Wombats converted a 20-16 half time lead into a six-point victory.

Meanwhile, there was some consolation for the Tingha Tigers despite their First Grade loss after they took out their fourth straight Ladies League Tag decider with an 18-14 victory over the Boomerangs, while Glen Innes took home the Under 18s title with victory over Uralla.

Peter McDonald Premiership: Magpies and CYMS to meet in Grand Final

The Peter McDonald Premiership Grand Final will be contested by the Dubbo CYMS and Forbes Magpies after both sides recorded dominant victories in their respective preliminary finals on Sunday.

Playing at their home of Spooner Oval, the Magpies booked their spot with a 34-10 victory over defending premiers Mudgee Dragons.

A large home crowd watched on at Spooner Oval as Forbes dominated Mudgee on Sunday

Fullback Jack Smith crossed for two of his side’s seven tries, as Forbes looks to win their second title in four years after their triumph in the inaugural season of the combined Group 10-11 competition in 2022.

Meanwhile, the Fishies made sure they returned to the Central West’s biggest stage with a 24-0 win over Orange CYMS at Apex Oval.

Fullback Jeremy Thurston scored two tries and booted three goals for a 14-point haul in the win, as the Dubbo side ensured they will get the chance to avenge their 2022 loss to the Magpies at home next Sunday.

Group 4: Gunnedah into first Grand Final in seven years

The Gunnedah Bulldogs will aim to end a 28-year first grade title drought in Moree next Saturday after securing a spot in the Group 4 Grand Final with a 44-26 win over Werris Creek at Kitchener Park on Saturday afternoon.

Lincon Smith and Jared Heinrich each scored doubles for the Bulldogs as they outlasted the Magpies for an 18-point victory that sends them to their first Grand Final since their 2018 loss to the North Tamworth Bears.

Gunnedah will face defending premiers Moree Boars in the Grand Final at Boughton Oval, with the Moree side also contesting the Reserve Grade and Women’s Tackle deciders, both against Dungowan.

Group 16: Bulldogs bounce back to get shot at revenge

Their undefeated streak may have fallen last week in their shock Major Semi Final loss to the Tathra Sea Eagles, but the Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs will get a shot at revenge in the Grand Final after defeating Eden 42-10 in the Group 16 Preliminary Final at the Cooma Showground on Sunday.

Thomas Hughes and Pose Tuilaepa each crossed for braces in the eight tries to two win, with the defending premier Bulldogs now set for a rematch of last year’s Grand Final with their old foes in Bega next weekend.