REIGNING Group 4 premiers Moree Boars suffered a narrow 26-24 first-round loss to Werris Creek Magpies at home ground Boughton Oval last Saturday, with coach Jamie Sampson saying the first-grade outfit beat themselves.

Sampson, who coaches the side with Jack Durheim, scored one of Moree’s four tries, along with Brent McDonald, Kaedyn Smith and Jake Tighe.

Ace goal-kicker Adrian Smith converted four from four.

“It was a tough loss to open the season,” Sampson said.

“We beat ourselves with the amount of ball we turned over – we just did way too much of it – but I’m really happy with how our defence was during the game,” he said.

The Boars’ under-18s remain winless after two rounds but improved sharply on their round one loss against Dungowan Cowboys to go down 34-8 against the Magpies.

Full-back Charlie Grant and half-back Dallas Spearim pulled on reserve-grade jerseys after playing a full 80 minutes in under-18s.

Reserves’ team manager, Charlie Shearer, who shares coaching duties with club loyalist Alf Newman, said Grant and Spearim excelled.

“Charlie and Dallas stepped up to play without a problem and they fitted in really well,” Shearer said. “They both played a full game of juniors and proved they can play above their age when needed – they’re both rising stars, for sure.”

Moree reserves co-coach Charlie Shearer and team-mates at round one of the Group 4 competition. The team drew 28-all with Werris Creek Magpies last Saturday.

Reserve-grade built on their first-up win against the Cowboys last month with a gritty 28-all draw against the Magpies.

“It was a game that could’ve gone either way,” Shearer said.

“All of our boys played well, but our star was fullback Latrel Newman.”

Newman, Jamal Woodbridge, Rhys Smith, David Annis-Brown and Luke Hobday scored tries.

“I can’t take anything away from our men in the middle – the likes of Luke Hobday, Jackson Shearer, Rhys Smith and Cody Picker,” Shearer said.

“As a group, we spoke about the game and have put together the ups and downs to work on.

“When we had the ball, we looked good, but just may have lacked a little in defence.

“Unfortunately, we ended up with a couple of injuries, but the boys will bounce back,” he said.

“We’ve got another tough game this week at Gunnedah, which will be a good test for our lads, but Alf and I are happy with how things are going at the moment – and it’s great to have Alf back in the coaches’ seat with me as well,” Shearer said.