MOREE Bulls first-grade coach Mick Grant doesn’t have a blood-pressure problem.

But he reckons there was every chance a monitor reading might’ve gone up a few notches when his first-grade team delivered an anxious 28-24 win against Gunnedah Red Devils in the Central North rugby union competition at Gunnedah on Saturday.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking stuff our end,” Grant said.

“I was looking around the grounds for Bear Copeman so I could get some of his blood-pressure tablets, but I couldn’t find him,” he laughed.

The narrow but decisive win sealed a home-town grand-final for the Bulls – the first in 10 years.

“There are guys that have played a lot of football for the club but have never had a home grand-final,” Grant said.

“We’ve won and played in a lot but haven’t hosted one at home for a long time.”

On Saturday, Moree first-grade took an early lead, with stand-out performances by winger Asesela Ravuvu, who scored three tries, and playmaker Ben Williams.

Between them, Williams and Ravuvu filled the scoreboard for the Bulls, with Williams planting a try early in the first half and kicking three goals.

Moree’s Ben Williams send the ball wide in the Bulls’ win against Gunnedah Red Devils at Gunnedah on Saturday (Image: Zelch Cikota).

“We started really well, and that’s what got us across the line, I think,” Grant said.

“Gunnedah were chasing the scoreline pretty much for the full 80 minutes, and that good start and putting points on the board early got us the game.”

Tries to winger Nate Harris, substitute prop Josh Leys, forward Nick Lyons and co-coach James Perrett for Gunnedah, as well as two goals to Adrian Burl, wasn’t enough to clinch a win for the home team.

Moree Bulls club president David Watts said all Moree players delivered when it mattered on Saturday to set up a home grand-final day in Moree in two weeks’ time.

“Asesela Ravuvu was very good, and I thought James Gall in the front-row and Mitch Adams at fullback were very good as well,” Watts said.

“Holt Cubis and Benny Williams also  played very well but overall, it was a good team effort.”

Watts said the second-grade clash against Quirindi Lions was edge-of-the-seat stuff, with the score 40-39 Moree’s way after 80 gruelling minutes.

Tries went to winger Carter McIlveen, brothers Jack and Bradley Fernance, and the three Williams – Bailey, Weatherlake and Brooks.

McIlveen kicked five conversions.

“Second-grade was a really good match – a really good game of football to watch – and probably a tougher game than first-grade,” Watts said.

“Patty Keady was good and so was Duncan Cranston, and Tim Houston was very good.”

Moree Bulls will now bunker down and prepare for their first grand-final at Weebolla rugby grounds in 10 years.

“We’ll play the winner of Gunnedah and Quirindi, who play at Gunnedah next Saturday,” Watts said.

“Importantly, we’ve come out of Saturday’s games with no injuries in both grades, and will have everyone available in two weeks’ time.”