SWOOPING Magpies missed their mark when a strong Moree Boars second-grade team trounced Werris Creek 36-18 before a big hometown crowd in the Group 4 rugby league competition at Boughton Oval on Sunday.

The Magpies were game in defeat, but the Boars, led by captain Luke Hobday and co-coaches Charlie Shearer and Alf Newman, deftly deflected the swoopers with a decisive eight-tries-to-three win.

Hulking second-rower David Annis-Brown crashed over for Moree two minutes into the game and five-eighth Bill Hippi followed up six minutes later to set up an 8-nil lead early.

Centre Jack Anderson added another four points just before the half-time siren to give Moree a 12-8 lead at the break.

Werris Creek’s first-half tally came from a Jesse Porter try in the 22nd minute, converted by fullback Tyren Cloake, with Cloake also landing a penalty goal seconds before the break.

Moree’s Jack Anderson and fullback Daniel Smith led the try-scoring charge in the second-half, each scoring a couple of four-pointers, with hooker Layne Raveneau adding to the haul.

Tries from Kobe Riley and Nick Martin edged Werris Creek closer but Moree proved too strong.

The 36-18 scoreline could’ve been much greater, with only two conversions from eight attempts finding their mark.

Co-coach Charlie Shearer was a happy man after the game.

“There are no magpies flying around Moree today. That was a brilliant win – happy team, happy coach,” he smiled.

“We started off on the right foot from the word go, scoring two quick tries and never looked back. “The Magpies are a tough squad – always have been – and they hit back strongly, but we were still in front coming into the break.

“A couple of minor mishaps and a little ill-discipline meant a few penalties not going our way, being a try or two to Werris Creek the result.”

On the upside, Shearer said his squad cogged perfectly to make it two from two this season.

“I can’t take a single thing away from my boys,” Shearer said.

“Every single player put in the hard yards and our bench kept the same energy when they entered the field as well.

“Daniel Smith Jack Anderson were our big point-scorers, and Luke Hobday and Jason Humphries were also brilliant.

“This was only the second round of the season. Coming off the back of two great wins, we won’t let this get to our heads,” Shearer said.

“We’re on the road this weekend to North Tamworth. They are always very tough, especially at home.

“Our focus is now with that game now and we’ll be ready,” he said.

In other games, Moree under-18s, fielding only 10 players the entire game, were beaten 60-nil by the Magpies.

Moree ladies tackle defeated Werris Creek 28-6 and Boars first-grade scored a 40-18 win.