THERE are three certainties in life – death, taxes and Moree Boars first-grade on home turf.

Group 4 referee Tom Aylett applied the mercy rule about 10 minutes from full-time when Joe Wade planted the Boars’ 12th try against a scoreless Kootingal Moonbi Roosters at Boughton Oval on Sunday, winning 60-nil.

Moree captain-coach Jack Durheim said Sunday’s round four entry wasn’t the perfect game of footy for the Boars – but it was close.

“It’s very easy in these type of games to show up and play the style of footy the opposition is playing when they’re maybe just that little bit off their game,” Durheim said.

“But we showed up today. We ran with purpose, tackled with purpose, and played some really good footy.

“Our first half was probably as close to perfect as you can get. In the second half, we rested a few boys who had a few niggles and what-not.

“That meant we may have dropped off a little bit, but I’ve got nothing bad to say about our game today.

“It’s good for us to show up and put on a good game of footy for the crowd, and really show the rest of the comp what we can do – we sent a message,” Durheim said.

That message rang loud and clear from the opening set on Sunday when tries by five-eighth Steve McIntosh and centre Alex Barker gave the Boars an eight-nil lead after 10 minutes.

From there, the Boars produced a near-perfect first-half of rugby league, going to the break 36-nil after two tries each to fullback Adrian Smith and winger Deriek Newman, and one to Latrel Newman two minutes from the half-time siren.

Joe Wade bookended the shortened second half with tries in the opening and closing minutes of play, while second-rower Jock Brazel also crossed twice.

Sam Sadler planted a four-pointer in the 52nd minute and five conversions came off the boot of Steve McIntosh – two from the sideline.

Adrian Smith converted Jock Brazel’s first try.

After four rounds, unbeaten Moree Boars first-grade is now staring down the barrel of a hat-trick of Group 4 premierships.

“The way we’re playing footy, I think there is every chance we can go right through,” Durheim said.

“At the moment it will be only us that beats us – our mental game, if we don’t show up one week.”

The Boars are again at home next Sunday, when they take on the unbeaten Dungowan Cowboys at Boughton Oval.

The Cowboys head to Moree after beating Gunnedah Bulldogs 26-24 at home on Saturday.

In their opening game of the season, the Cowboys beat North Tamworth Bears 34-30 at Jack Woolaston Oval and the following week thumped Boggabri Roosters 54-18 at Boggabri’s Jubilee Oval.

They handed Kootingal Roosters a similar drubbing in round three, winning 48-22 away from home.

Moree has also cruised through the season so far, beating Gunnedah Bulldogs 32-16; Werris Creek Magpies 40-18; North Tamworth Bears 34-18; and Kootingal Moonbi Roosters 60-nil on Sunday.

After four rounds, Moree Boars have 166 points for and 52 against. Dungowan Cowboys have 162 for and 94 against.

“Seeing where they’re at, and seeing where we’re at, I’m really looking forward to next week against Dungowan,” Durheim said.

In other games on Sunday, Moree second-grade accounted for Kootingal 46-24 and Moree ladies tackle remain unbeaten this season after defeating Kootingal 18-4.