MOREE Boars second-grade outfit suffered their first loss for the season after copping a 42-12 thumping from Werris Creek Magpies in Group 4 rugby league at David Taylor Oval on Saturday.

Winger Steve Le Milliere scored for Moree in the opening minutes, but that’s where it stopped, with hooker David Annis-Brown scoring just before the break and again in the opening minutes of the second half.

Werris Creek winger Mosese Sovatabua crossed for three tries, with centre Kaidyn Saunders scoring twice. Harry Mills, Tyriil Knox and Beau Parry each crossed for tries.

Karwin Knox kicked four goals, with one goal to Mason Bayliss.

Moree’s assistant coach Charlie Shearer said the loss was a hard pill to swallow.

Moree Boars second-grade assistant coach Charlie Shearer at a Moree game earlier this year.

“A tough day for sure . . . it just wasn’t our day,” Shearer said.

“We were down on troops and travelled to Werris Creek with 16 players – missing about five or six of our main men due to work and family commitments.

“Thankfully, we jagged one more player from our juniors – Tom Bell – to give us 17 players for the game.

“We started well, had a couple of calls go against us, and two players copped a couple of minor injuries which didn’t help,” he said.

Moree went to the break behind 28-nil, with a near-impossible task ahead in the second half.

“We spoke about what needed to be done, knowing 28 points was a hard number to track down. But we started the second half with two quick tries which was excellent,” Shearer said.

“We unfortunately had Jermaine Craigie put in the bin for 10 and Rob Wade sent for the game, which was tough. “Werris Creek had the majority of the ball the whole game and when we had it, we looked good.

“But full credit to our players who turned up and didn’t give up the whole game, and a shout-out to club stalwart Stan Swan, who has come out of retirement this year playing his first game for the season – he didn’t miss a beat and never looks out of place,” Shearer said.

Saturday’s 42-12 beating was Moree second-grade’s first loss for the season after five wins and a draw leading into the weekend.

“It’s a hard pill to swallow, but that’s football. We’ve now got a big week of training ahead to prepare for Gunnedah,” Shearer said.