MOREE Boomerangs Ladies League Tag take on Warialda Wombats in the Group 19 B-grade plate grand-final at Warialda’s Jim Payne Oval on Sunday.
In week one of the finals, the Boomerangs were beaten in extra time by Warialda but earned their grand-final slot with a thumping 34-nil win against Inverell Hawks at Armidale last week.
Boomerangs’ club president Peter Duncan said the ladies team missed a final top-four spot by just two points.
“It was close, and now they’ve been given the opportunity to play in the B-grade plate final,” Duncan said.
“Our ladies were under-strength (at Warialda), but found a way to continue turning up for each other, and have shown passion and pride representing our club and community,” Duncan said.
“I love seeing the leadership from our experienced players like Linny Smith, Merinda Duncan and Sharnae Smith.
“Our younger ladies are growing in leaps and bounds with the finals’ experience and playing at this time of year.
“Our stand-out youngsters are the McGrady sisters, Selena and Ebony, and Kyleika Haines has really developed confidence over these last few rounds,” he said.
“Shania Hippi had a cracker on Sunday, eating up the metres, and Sharnae, Merinda and Linny were super.
“We hope the experience a fortnight ago at Warialda with low numbers sets us up for success this weekend. The blueprint is there for the ladies, and their resilience and attitude to keep showing up for each other in every minute and play of the game means a lot,” Duncan said.
Moree Boomerangs Ladies League Tag team take on Warialda Wombats in the Group 19 B-grade plate grand-final on Sunday (Image Supplied).
The Moree team were luckless not to make the league tag grand-final, but still did the club and Moree community proud with advancement to the B-grade plate.
“The girls went to Warialda in week one of the finals with just 10 players due to unavailability. They were down to nine players at one stage, with the score seesawing both ways,” Duncan said.
With 10 minutes left, Warialda ladies hit the front with a six-point advantage but Moree Boomerangs fullback and top try-scorer Merinda Duncan smashed through the Warialda defence to dash 70 metres and score an incredible four-pointer out wide.
The conversion attempt missed and the Boomerangs trailed by two points.
“In the next set, with two minutes on the clock, the girls created opportunities along the field to advance the ball into Warialda’s 20-metre line and were awarded a fifth tackle penalty,” Duncan said. Katie Davidson slotted the goal as the full-time hooter rang out.
With the scores locked, the game went into extra time. The Boomerangs were first to score but Warialda levelled up, forcing another 10 minutes.
“In the next stanza, Warialda managed to score and advance to the grand-final,” Duncan said.
The Moree team travelled to Armidale last weekend to play Inverell, and delivered a 34-nil win against the Hawks.
“They won convincingly to set up a rematch with Warialda this Sunday,” Duncan said.
“The win at Armidale was a team effort, and I’m hopeful we can cause the upset at Warialda.
“It will be a cracking day for rugby League, with Warialda featuring in all grades with home ground advantage,” he said.
The Moree Boomerangs kick-off a huge day of footy, followed by the Ladies League Tag A-grade grand-final between Tingha and Narwan Eels.
Warialda will then attempt to dethrone reigning premiers, the Glen Innes Magpies in the under-18s grand-final.
“This will be a cracking game,” Duncan said.
In the big dance, Warialda Wombats take on Inverell Hawks, who have progressed from fourth place on the ladder to earn a grand-final berth.
“Inverell Hawks are the underdogs and feature in their second grand-final in a row,” Duncan said.
“They lost last year to Narwan Eels, and will use that experience to hopefully rewrite history.
“But to do this they will need to extinguish the magic of Dave McGrady and the speed of Gee Boy Prince and the Peckham Boys.
“Warialda is a classy outfit, and has been the benchmark all season, but anything can happen at finals’ time,” Duncan said.
