A slow start led to a big finish when Moree Boars ladies tackle team comprehensively defeated Werris Creek Magpies 28-6 – six tries to one – at Boughton Oval on Sunday.

After leading 14-6 at half-time, the girls well and truly announced they are back in town, leaving the Magpies scoreless in the second half.

Werris Creek led six-nil, with a try and conversion to five-eighth Breanna Allan in the 13th minute, but tries to five-eighth Shaylee Haines, winger Colleen Fernando and interchange Atuaneta Fianamalia – converted by Fernando – sent Moree to the break with an eight-point lead and a fair bit to talk about.

Coach Lorilie Haines said the girls were slow to start but quick to finish.

“It took about 15 minutes for them to gel – but we put the points on the board, and that’s what we wanted to do,” Haines said.

“We had a bit of a talk at half-time to work out where we were. Lack of communication in the first half was letting us down, and we started really slow.”

Moree returned from the break with tries to prop Delta Swan, lock Daharna Wightman, who co-captains with Tileah McGrady, and impressive newcomer Ruby Smith, who made a statement at her first game for the Boars.

“It was our first game back and we’ve all got plenty to learn, but I’m pretty proud of everyone’s efforts,” Wightman said.

“We all knew what we had to do – play our game and play our positions – and we all came out firing.

“After the break, we had to make changes in defence and attack and knew we had to come out with a different game plan to take off the pressure.

“Ruby was outstanding. She used to play juniors and was playing her first women’s game with us, and played really well.

“She made a lot of good runs and helped a lot with defence, and can only get better,” Wightman said.

Co-captain, hooker Tileah McGrady, said Moree’s forwards won the match for the home team.

“Our forwards definitely won us the game. They made the hard metres and turned it around in the second half,” McGrady said.