ON Sunday, Moree Boars second-grade coaches Alf Newman and Charlie Shearer warned their team they didn’t want a repeat of the previous week when the full-time score was locked at 30-all against North Tamworth Bears at Jack Woolaston Oval.

And the boys heeded the warning when beating Kootingal Moonbi Roosters 46-24 in round four of the Group 4 rugby league competition at Boughton Oval.

“We gave the boys a bit of a razzle-up in the sheds before the game,” Newman said.

“We told them we didn’t really need a repeat of last week’s performance and they were keen to get back in the winners’ circle.

“I was a bit downhearted with the draw – it’s not a win, but it’s not a loss, I suppose.

“Charlie reckons half a loaf of bread is better than no bread at all, but it’s nice to have some butter with it,” Newman laughed.

“We also didn’t want anyone coming to our home ground and beating us – that’s just not on – and the boys went in with that mindset.

“They wanted to redeem themselves. They played well and deserved to win. They wanted it more,” he said.

Moree’s Jack Anderson scored in the opening three minutes – the first of three tries for the emerging centre – and David Annis-Brown planted the first of his two tries seven minutes later.

Shannon Hippi converted both to give Moree an early 12-nil lead but the Roosters came back strongly to lead 14-12 after 25 minutes, courtesy of tries to Peter Adams, Shane Howarth and Cooper Anderson, with Jayden Bullock converting Howarth’s four-pointer.

After the brief lapse, Moree came back strongly with five-eighth Dwayne Smith scoring in the 28th minute and Anderson crossing for try number two just before the half-time siren.

Goal-kicker Shannon Hippi had a blinder, converting all first-half tries to take Moree into the break 24-14.

Moree piled on another 22 points in the second half with a second try to Annis-Brown, two also to centre Jacob Robinson and a third to Anderson.

Hippi’s kicking form held tight, with another three conversions from four attempts.

Despite the big margin, coach Newman was critical of some aspects of the game.

“There was a lot of dropped balls and that made us work harder – it was a scrappy game, but our defence wasn’t too bad,” Newman said.

“The boys got stuck into it in the second half and to the Roosters’ credit, they came back a bit and played really well.

“Those early tries put them in front 14-12 at one stage, and I thought we were in for a game.

“But in saying that, everyone played really well. I was impressed with Zac Sampson, Rob Wade and young Jack Anderson – he got three tries.

“Everyone played their part – a good result,” he said.

Moree second-grade are at home next Sunday against Dungowan Cowboys, winner of three from four so far this season.

“That will be a big game, too. They’ll bring a good side,” Newman said.

In other games on Sunday, Moree Boars ladies tackle defeated the Roosters 18-4 and Moree Boars first-grade kept their unbeaten march into the 2026 season well and truly intact with a 60-nil win against the Roosters.

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