MOREE Boars second-grade squad was content knowing half-a-loaf of bread is better than no bread at all when logging a 30-all draw against North Tamworth Bears at Jack Woolaston Oval on Sunday.

Moree trailed 30-24 well into the second half, but a try one minute from full-time from captain Luke Hobday – converted by Bill Hippi – rang the bell on a draw.

Co-coach Charlie Shearer said Moree resorted to catch-up football early in the game, despite going to the break with a four-point advantage.

North Tamworth led 8-nil after 15 minutes, with tries to centre William Trapman and winger Jeremy Murison.

Moree bounced back with tries to centre Jack Anderson and fullback Jake Tighe, both converted by Hippi, who was excellent on the boot with five from five on Sunday.

Moree Boars’ second-grade coaches Alf Newman and Charlie Shearer have started the 2026 season with two wins and a shared win from three rounds so far.

“Before we took the field we said we didn’t want to play catch-up footy but unfortunately it was like it came to haunt us,” Shearer said.

“Norths hit us with two quick tries to start the game but my boys fought back with two of our own to go to the break leading 12-8.

Second-half tries again to Anderson and Tighe – both converted by Hippi – gave Moree a commanding 24-8 lead but the Bears came back strongly with tries to William Trapman, second-rower Karwan Knox, interchange Tyrone Jenkins-Bamblett and second-rower Dermott Fields, all converted by Liam Allan, sent Tamworth to a 30-24 lead with just five minutes left on the clock.

“Scoring two tries from back-to-back kick-off sets setting us out in what I thought was a fairly comfortable lead, 24-8.

“Then a couple of back-to-back penalties didn’t go our way and we found ourselves defending for the majority of the second half.

“At one stage, we defended on our line for seven or eight sets,” Shearer said.

“Norths piled on the points to take the game 30-24 in their favour with five to go, but a beautiful ball from Dwayne Smith found the chest of captain Luke Hobday, who scored under the posts.

“We can take lots from positives and negatives from that game, which will be worked on this week and throughout the rest of the year. Everyone played well, and we have lots to work on, but that’s football.

“We’ll now focus on this week, when we take on Kootingal Moonbi Roosters at home to keep our unbeaten streak alive,” Shearer said.

In other games, Moree ladies tackle ran out big winners 32-12, with Moree second-grade posting a 30-all draw. The Boars are at home this Sunday, May 17, against Kootingal Moonbi Roosters at Boughton Oval.