In a typical top-of-the-table encounter, defence proved vital when the the Glen Innes Magpies league tag side took on Tingha Tigers.
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It was a low-scoring affair with just two points separating the sides when the full-time siren sounded.
It was played in Tiger territory but the Magpies turned up in what co-coach of the Glen Innes side David Biddle described as “the best defensive effort from both sides I have seen from league tag.”
“Tingha are a good footy team and they play a lot of angles and they play a lot of unders and over and they run into gaps but that doesn't worry me when I have a good defence,” he said.
“I said 'stay lazy because they will come underneath you and pick up the runner' and the girls were fantastic in defence.
“The defence was good on both sides.
“It was a terrific game. There was desperation and desire from the Glen girls.
“Both clubs have to be proud of their girls.
The home side were first on the board but the Magpies hit back through two length-of-the-field tries to Kayla Williams and Amy Byrne to lead 10-4 at half-time.
Tingha scored in the dying moments of the match but were unable to convert, leaving the score at 10-8 and handing Glen Innes the points.
It is the second time they have beaten the ladder leaders this year but only the first time the win counts.
“That is the second time now because we beat them in the first round 26-6 and they took the points off us because we had an unregistered player,” Biddle said.
“Tingha are a very quality side. They are the best side we have played up until now.”
They will have to be at their best once again this Sunday when Glen Innes hosts Armidale.
The Ramettes are third on the ladder
“The girls were fired up for it [Tingha] and now they are fired up for Armidale,” Biddle said.
“They beat us down there on a day where the girls should have stayed at home in bed.”
While the league tag team had a tight victory the A grade side suffered a narrow loss.
After falling to Moree by 40 points, the side were searching for a win but as was the case against the Boars, Glen Innes were lacking the go-forward they needed to get over the line.
They went down 22-18.
“It was pretty disappointing,” coach Nick Ehsman said.
“We didn't turn up and a couple of things didn't go our way and we just didn't get there in the end.
“To be honest we should have won with the team we had but we were missing our two front rowers again and missing that punch in the middle.”
Ehsman said in the absence some of the side’s forwards, Daniel Cheers once again stood up with an 80-minute performance.
They have the chance to get back in the winner’s circle this Sunday at the club’s sponsors day event against the Rams.
“We haven't had a home game for a little while so hopefully we can get a win and go from there,” Ehsman said.
In the Magpies’ other grades, the under 18s were dominant, defeating Tingha 30-18 to now sit third on the ladder.
Glen Innes reserve grade were beaten 40-14.