Bulls fall short in Major Finals as rugby returns to Moree for preliminary finals

Moree takes on Narrabri in the Central North Reserve Grade Major Final at Moree Rugby Club on Saturday. Photo: Moree Online News.

Moree Bulls Reserve and First Grade will have to take the longer road to the Central North Grand Finals after both sides were beaten in Saturday’s Major Finals at Moree Rugby Club.

Narrabri defeated Moree 19–12 in Reserve Grade, while Quirindi held out Moree 40–33 in First Grade.

Because both Moree sides had qualified for the Major Finals, their seasons are not over. They receive a second chance and will return to Moree Rugby Club for preliminary finals this Saturday, August 22.

Moree Third Grade is already through to the Grand Final after Gunnedah forfeited its scheduled Major Final on Saturday. No Third Grade match was played, with the fixture officially recorded as a 28–0 win to Moree.

In Reserve Grade, Moree scored two tries through Will Smith and Jeff Annis-Brown, with Darcy Brazel adding a conversion.

Narrabri crossed three times, with Sam Knight scoring twice and Jed Brennan also finding the try line. Nick Coffey kicked two conversions.

The 19–12 win sends Narrabri directly to the Reserve Grade Grand Final, while Moree will now face Quirindi in Saturday’s preliminary final.

Moree also fell short of direct Grand Final qualification in First Grade, with Quirindi winning 40–33.

The Bulls scored five tries, with Ben DiDonna, Angus Roberts and Lachlan Elworthy among the recorded try scorers. Two additional Moree tries were attributed to players listed as “Name Withheld” in the official match data.

Benjamin Williams kicked four conversions.

Quirindi scored six tries, including two to Mitchell Evans, with Ben Grant, Adam Davis, Felix Weston and one player listed as “Name Withheld” also crossing. Davis kicked five conversions.

Moree continued scoring late, with the official match commentary recording DiDonna crossing in the 80th minute and Williams converting.

Quirindi’s victory booked its place in the First Grade Grand Final and also secured hosting rights for the 2026 Central North Grand Finals at Quirindi on Saturday, August 29.

Central North Rugby Union says it will be the first time Quirindi has hosted a Central North Grand Final since 1992.

The Women’s Major Final was also played at Moree on Saturday, with Narrabri defeating Tamworth Pirates 52–5.

Narrabri scored eight tries, with Claudia Penberthy and Lidia McCauley each crossing twice. Imogen Hope, Laine McCauley, April Smith and Shaine Maunder also scored, while Smith kicked six conversions.

Tamworth Pirates’ try came through captain Tomi Gavin.

Narrabri advances directly to the Women’s Grand Final, while Tamworth Pirates will face Inverell in Saturday’s preliminary final.

Moree Rugby Club will host another round of finals this Saturday, with Tamworth Pirates meeting Inverell in the Women’s preliminary final at 11.45am.

Moree Reserve Grade faces Quirindi at 1pm, before Moree First Grade takes on Narrabri at 3pm.

For Moree, the equation is now straightforward: Reserve and First Grade must win on Saturday to join Third Grade at Grand Final day in Quirindi on August 29.