MOREE Boars acted out their billing as a “second-half side” when they surged home in the final 40 minutes against Boggabri Kangaroos to win Saturday’s Whitehaven Coal Group 4 first-grade grand-final 40-18 at Boughton Oval on Saturday.
The Boars were down 14-12 at half-time and then 18-12 six minutes into the second half when Boggy centre Robert Doolan scored out wide.
However, the Boars rallied on the back of a brilliant try from winger Jake Tighe in the 53rd minute.
Captain-coach Michael Watton had provided a pinpoint chip across the Boggabri flank for Tighe to race through, dive and catch the short kick in a brilliant swoop.
Watton’s conversion made it 18-all and the Boars ignited.
Six minutes later and the Boars were in again when Alex Barker stepped out of a tackle and back inside to dive over for the Boars to take the lead.
Two more tries followed in swift succession, one for hard-working backrower Brent McDonald to gather a dropped bomb and plunge over and then Joe Wade to finish off a length-of-the-field try started by Wade’s break and including centre Mark Pegus and five-eighth Jamie Sampson in an interchange of passes.
Three tries in six minutes had buried the Roos before captain-coach Michael Watton put the icing on the cake when he angled back on an inside run to beat three or four defenders and score under the posts.
He converted, one of his six goals from seven attempts, to complete a wonderful finish and memorable day for the home club.
The Boars had not won a G4 first grade title since 2002, when they beat West Lions 34-18 under captain-coach Tony Murray at Burt Jovanovich Oval.
It was their fifth G4 premiership after wins in 1988-89 (captain-coach John Kirkwood), 1999 (Mark Ryan) and 2002 (Tony Murray).
It also came after losing last year’s grand-final to North Tamworth 26-16 and ended a string of eight grand-final wins for the Bears, starting in 2014, and including two years where Covid forced the game into recess.
For Michael Watton it was a rich reward – and relief.
“I’m quite emotional,” he said while holding back tears after the presentation ceremony.
“Just can’t string the words together at the moment. I came here to do a job and have done it. So proud of the boys.”
When asked how much the win meant to him, his team and town, he merely replied: “Just look around you.”
The swelling crowd of delighted supporters joined in with players from both sides to celebrate a magical day for the Boars.
“There are people all around from all the clubs, too,” he said.
“It’s a massive boost not only for the club, but for the town.”
Watton was also mindful of how potent his side’s attack is and was never worried about a 14-8 deficit at halftime.
“We’re a second-half side,” he said.
“We could be 20 behind but we can score points.”
They showed that in the major semi-final when they trailed Werris Creek 20-12 but roared home to win 60-24.
“We know teams have got to score 40 points to beat us,” Watton said.
“When we get going we are a hard team to stop.
“They had a few tired players, too, and were on the back foot. But it’s just a great reward for the boys over the last two years.
“And a great win against Boggabri, who are a good, quality side.”
He also praised club president Todd Mitchell for his huge involvement and leadership as well as a hard-working committee to promote the club and its players.
The Boars had plenty of stars with prop Chris Vidler a stand-out in his final game and livewire five-eighth Jamie Sampson awarded player-of-the-grand-final.
Brenton Cochrane was another stand-out, the 40-year-old backrower scoring one brilliant try to seal the game on the back of a brilliant Lachlan McGrady kick-return.
“I finally won one,” he said.
“It’s been six or seven before today,” he said of losing grand-finals.
He also axed the retirement question.
“I’m fit and healthy,” he said.
“Not making any decisions just now. Got so many good young boys. They’ve all done so well.”
Words: Geoff Newling
Images: Bill Poulos
First Grade: MOREE 40 (Jamie Sampson, Brenton Cochrane, Jake Tighe, Alex Barker Junior, Brent McDonald, Joe Wade, Michael Watton tries, Michael Watton 6gls) d BOGGABRI 18 (Josefa Goneduadua, Jack Hayes, Robert Doolan tries, Ash White 3gls). Player of the Grand Final: Jamie Sampson (MB).
