MOREE Bulls first-grade are sitting at the top of the Central North ladder after beating Tamworth Pirates 32-10 at Weebolla Rugby Grounds on Saturday.

After three rounds, the Bulls are four points clear of arch-rivals, Narrabri Blue Boars.

Coach Mick Grant said while the win was strong, there is still plenty of work to do.

“I’m super proud of the efforts the forwards put in, especially front-rowers Cam Ledingham and Grady Sinclair,” Grant said.

“The whole front row played 80 minutes, but that’s what I want out of my first-grade prayers – all should be able to play 80 minutes.

“Holt Cubis was also good, playing his first game in first-grade, and Jack Ticehurst also played well,” he said.

“We still need to put in the hard yards in the coming weeks, though, as there’s a bye this week, then we travel to Quirindi, a club that is going great.”

Quirindi Lions currently share second spot with Narrabri on the Central North first-grade ladder.

Bull Angus Smith jumps in a lineout against Tamworth Pirates (Image: Zelch Cikota).

Bulls’ club president David Watts said Moree’s strong defence and pace out wide proved too good for the Pirates.

“It was always going to be a tough match, but Moree toughed it out,” Watts said.

“Tamworth was coming off a loss and trying to get their campaign back on track, and Moree was coming off a bye.”

Moree converted an early penalty courtesy of Ben Williams. Pirates then crossed over with a try to Jack Edwards, but Moree hit back with a try to Jono Spain.

“Some scrappy play saw the referee pull out the yellow card, putting a Pirates player and a Moree player in the sin bin,” Watts said.

“There was also a red card issued to a Pirates’ forward for a lifting tackle.”

Moree capitalised on Pirates playing with one man short, and continued to put points on the board, with tries to Mitch Copeman, Asesela Ravuvu, Mitchell Adams and Lachie Smith.

Ben Williams finished with two conversions and a penalty goal.

First-grade best were Asesela Ravuvu (3); Jack Ticehurst (2); and one point to Cameron Ledingham.

Bulls’ second-grade ran on after a tough encounter last week against Barraba and prevailed 31-23 against Tamworth.

Moree started slowly, allowing Pirates a couple of penalty conversions but regrouped which saw Hamish Christie cross over for Moree’s first try.

Alex Roseby then crossed and converted his own try.

Moree continued applying pressure in the second half, eventually wearing down a dogged Tamworth outfit, with further tries to Seva Nadruku and young Lewis Lindberg, who ran on 10 minutes from full-time to score two match-winning tries.

Alex Roseby finished with three conversions.

Coaches Tony O’Donnell and Jake Cutcliffe were pleased to get the win.

“We have plenty to work on if we are to stay on top of the competition table. At times, our discipline let us down and we cannot afford to do that in these tough matches.”

Moree best were Charlie Upton (3), Paddy Keady (2); and one point each to Lewis Lindberg and Jackson Fernance.

Moree Bulls next travel to Quirindi on Saturday, May 24 to play the Lions in three men’s grades.