Moree will have two teams chasing Group 19 junior rugby league premierships at Boughton Oval this Saturday, on a day Moree Junior Rugby League says will bring the grand finals back to town for the first time in 11 years.
The under-14 and under-16 boys have taken different paths to the decider, but both now have the advantage of playing for a title on home soil.
For the under-16s, Saturday’s 26–16 preliminary final win over GIML Magpies at Tingha was the latest step in a finals campaign built on survival.
Moree had already kept its season alive with a 28–8 minor semi-final win over Guyra Super Spuds the previous week, then backed it up against the Magpies to earn a place in the decider against IML U16s Maroon.
Beau Bridge crossed twice in the preliminary final, with Harrison Brooks and Brodie Schutt also among Moree’s try scorers, while Marley Swan kicked three conversions.
The under-14 boys reached grand final day by a more direct route.
Their 38–16 major semi-final victory over IML U14s Maroon on September 5 put them straight through to the decider, where GIML Magpies now stand between Moree and the premiership.
While two boys teams move on, the weekend brought the end of the road for Moree’s under-13 and under-15 girls.
The under-13s were beaten 24–8 by Kootingal in their preliminary final at Boughton Oval, with Issy Goodworth and Ruby Barwick scoring Moree’s tries. Their campaign had survived a 28–0 major semi-final loss to Dungowan a week earlier, but Kootingal ended their run one game short of the decider.
The under-15 girls also fell at the preliminary final hurdle, going down 32–8 to Gunnedah at John Longmuir Playing Field. Narlehta Johnson and Myeasha Draper scored Moree’s tries.
That defeat followed a 34–6 minor semi-final win over Werris Creek, which had kept the under-15s alive in the premiership race for another week.
Moree Junior Rugby League later acknowledged both girls teams and the players, coaches, managers, trainers, families and supporters involved in their seasons.
Now the focus shifts squarely to Boughton Oval.
The under-14 Giants face GIML Magpies at 12.30pm on Saturday, September 19, before the under-16s meet IML U16s Maroon at 2pm.
