MOREE Boars first-grade came from behind at Boughton Oval on Sunday to beat Dungowan Cowboys 42-24 in a game marred by a second-half send-off and two sin bins.

Boars captain-coach Jack Durheim was given 10 minutes early in the second half and five minutes from full-time, referee James Brown sent Dungowan lock Trent Taylor from the field for a trip after a quick tap, which constituted a professional foul. Prop Zac Milsom was also given 10 minutes.

Taylor and Milsom were star players for Dungowan, with Taylor kicking four from four and Milson scoring two tries.

First-half tries to Moree halfback Mick Watton and centre Mark Pegus, both converted by Adrian Smith, gave Moree an early 12-nil lead.

However, just minutes from half-time the Cowboys came back with tries to Sam Archer and Zac Milsom – both converted by Taylor – to go to the break 12-all.

Moree’s first defeat for the 2026 Group 4 rugby league season looked a possibility when a second try to Milsom six minutes in – converted by Taylor – gave the Cowboys an 18-12 lead.

But a try by Moree’s Jock Brazel 10 minutes into the second half and two quick tries five minutes apart from interchange Joe Wade, who was playing his 150th game for the Boars – both converted by fullback Bobby Smith – gave the Boars a 28-24 advantage with 20 minutes left on the clock.

A Bobby Smith penalty goal in the 73rd minute ensured a six-point buffer for Moree, and late tries to Jack Mitchell and Alex Lawrence – again converted by Smith – handed the Boars a decisive 42-24 win.

Smith’s boot was on fire, with six successful conversions from seven attempts and one penalty goal.

Moree forward Jock Brazel said the match was a hard-hitting 80 minutes of football.

“It was a tough game. Dungowan came out to play hard and we gave away a lot of penalties – we didn’t make things easy on ourselves,” Brazel said.

“But we stood tall, and turned up for each other over and over again. The scoreboard shows we got the job done, but it was tough.”

Brazel said the entire team pulled together for a strong, come-from-behind win.

“Everyone played well and stood up when needed,” Brazel said.

“Daniel Howe is a freight train and Cam Rodgers and Sam Sadler were great.

“Mick Watton was excellent, but he always is. He put the ball into touch when we needed it, or put it in the air in the right spots.

“Mick set me up for my try – I didn’t have to do much,” Brazel laughed.

Moree Boars, unbeaten this season after five rounds, lead the Group 4 competition ladder with 10 points, two ahead of Dungowan with Werris Creek Magpies and Gunnedah Bulldogs sharing third spot on six points.

Second-grade to Moree narrowly

Moree Boars second-grade also came from behind to beat Dungowan 12-10 in a tight game – sweet justice after last year’s two-point grand-final loss to the Cowboys.

Moree’s Daniel Smith planted the ball two minutes into the game, but Dungowan centre Jono Verrall landed a try two minutes from the break.

With the conversion successful from Nic Syren, the Cowboys led 6-4 at half-time.

The lead was short-lived, with Moree fullback Jake Smith taking the score to 8-6 one minute into the second half.

However, the Cowboys regained a two-point advantage with a try to Jesse Carmichael.

Jack Anderson sealed the game for the Boars with a try in the 48th minute to snatch a narrow win.

Charlie Shearer, who co-coaches second-grade with Alf Newman, said the two-point win was sweet after last year’s grand-final loss to Dungowan – also by two points.

“I’ve got no fingernails left,” Shearer laughed.

“It was a good grand-final rematch, but Dungowan showed up and proved the game wasn’t going to be easy.

“Our boys stuck out the whole game, knowing they have to play 70 minutes of football, not 60, and proved much stronger at the end”.

Shearer said it was a must-win game.

“Otherwise, we would’ve dropped back to third place on the ladder.”

He said the team gelled perfectly for a strong win.

“Daniel and Dwayne Smith played well. Jack Anderson is always handy – very handy – and Jacob Robinson stepped up to another level,” Shearer said.

“Zac Sampson, Luke Hobday and the terminator, Jason Humphries, all played well – it was a good team effort.

“The boys played out of their skin, and played for each other,” he said.

Moree Boars second-grade and North Tamworth Bears share the top of the ladder on nine points, three points clear of Dungowan Cowboys.

Boars ladies tackle also win 12-10

Moree Boars ladies tackle team remain undefeated this season after a hard-fought, last-minute 12-10 win against Dungowan on Sunday.

After tries to prop Jaimee Quayle and hooker Harmony Liddell, the latter converted by halfback Sarah Stackman, Dungowan led 10-6 with just minutes left on the clock.

Just before half-time, lock Ruby Smith gave Moree a four-pointer – converted by Colleen Fernando – but Dungowan retained their lead well into the second half.

With one minute remaining, Moree’s Gab Suckling crossed to level the score 10-all and a perfectly-executed goal under pressure from Colleen Fernando gave Moree a 12-10 win right on the full-time whistle.

Co-captain Tileah McGrady said it was a tight game.

“It went right down to the wire,” McGrady said.

“The game was tough, very physical. We made it hard on ourselves, not getting off the line and letting them run to us.

“It was very patchy, and we didn’t play our game, which we speak about week in, week out.

“Dungowan ran hard, and gave it to us, and full credit to them – it was a tough, physical game.

“Gab scored one minute from full-time and Ruby scored earlier – she’s a workhorse,” McGrady said.

Sunday’s matches were highlighted by five-eighth Shai-Lee Smith playing her 100th game and Moree first-grade’s Brent McDonald and Joe Wade playing their 150th games.

Smith has scored 48 tries, kicked seven goals and amassed 206 points across her 100 games.

During his 150 games, McDonald has scored 38 tries and 152 points and Wade has scored a massive 68 tries and 286 points.

Next weekend, Moree Boars first and second grade travel to play Narrabri Blues at Collins Park, with Moree ladies tackle having the bye.