12/09/2026
💙🖤Match Report🖤💙
U18s Girls - Narrabri vs Inverell
Scully Park Tamworth
Friday 11th September 2026
As the sun set over Scully Park in Tamworth, the two form teams of the U18s competition took to the field for the grand final. In their only previous meeting during the season, the well-coached Inverell team had come away with a strong win.
Narrabri had come into the game with a clear plan to try and minimise Inverell’s clear strength in the ruck and then unleash their dangerous backs.
Like most grand finals – things didn’t go to plan..
Narrabri kicked off and immediately realised just how well drilled and technical this Inverell team were. Narrabri was forced to defend for 23 consecutive phases as Inverell calmly marched up the field. Narrabri were brave and their defence was accurate, however the sheer weight of possession soon lead to the first try and Inverell took the early lead 7-0.
Upon the re-start Inverell immediately went about their work and scored again and in the blink of an eye Narrabri were down 14 – 0. Narrabri was finding it almost impossible to get their hands on the ball. Indeed – it wasn’t until there was only 1 minute left in the quarter that Narrabri was able to gain possession and with their very first use of the ball Georgia Horne sliced through the defence and scored. Narrabri trailed at the first break 14-5.
In the second quarter Narrabri started to gain more consistent possession and after some great defensive work, Aleira Sunderland cut through the middle of the Inverell defence. In a sweeping angled run, she broke through and scored a fine try to the left of the upright.
Upon the re-start – Taylor Horne charged through the Inverell defence in a dominating run and scored a powerful try. Narrabri took the lead 15-14 and were starting to look a lot more confident. However an error off the re-start allowed Inverell to enter Narrabri’s half and after a penalty from a ruck infringement, Inverell scored off a quick tap to reclaim the lead 21-15.
As the game edged towards half time it started to become clear that Narrabri were unable to assert any real dominance in the ruck. The Inverell girls were simply too strong and accurate over the ball and things were starting to become difficult for Narrabri.
It was during this difficult period of the game that some key moments unfolded. Eva Goodwin’s defensive effort will only be fully appreciated over time, and Taylor Hornes’ desperate diving tackle that just managed to grab the jumper of an Inverell player are two that stand out. The example this set to the rest of their team-mates meant that the self-belief never went away for Narrabri.
Another try to Inverell just before half-time saw them go into the main break with a commanding 28-15 lead and fatigue was creeping in.
Early in the second half after a strong run from Sienna Earle, Inverell won the ball back and immediately kicked downfield. In typical fashion, Ruby Clayton put the after-burners on and managed to make the try-saving tackle just before the try-line. However, Ruby received a yellow card for an accidental hair-pull and suddenly Narrabri was down a player.
And so the drama began…
In all grand finals there are moments and turning points that after the game can be clearly identified as important for the final outcome.
This was the moment for Narrabri.
In the immediate minutes following the yellow card, Narrabri were forced to defend on their own tryline for what felt like an age. In an effort that defines the grit and bravery of this team, Narrabri made four try-saving tackles in a row as they refused to yield and were rewarded with a penalty. From the penalty a quick ball movement led to Taylor Horne taking on the line and neatly passing the ball inside to her sister Georgia who ran 90 metres to score.
This all happened with Narrabri down one player - and the comeback was on.
Narrabri entered the final quarter still trailing 33-22 but with a growing sense that something special was about to happen.
The call was made to throw caution to the wind and out of respect for Inverell’s ability to control the ruck, the last quarter was defined by Narrabri moving the ball to the spaces. This had an immediate success off the kick-off as the ball went through 6 pairs of hands to again find the mercurial Georgia Horne who ran in for her hattrick. 33-27 Inverell.
For the first time in the game it was Inverell who were starting to look under pressure and after a massive run from Ella Korach, a quick recycle from Charlie Tout found a hard running Brielle Bourke who scored out wide. Narrabri were now only trailing 33-32.
With 4 minutes remaining in this epic battle, the Narrabri supporters had found their voice and Scully park started to feel like Dangar park.
Inverell kicked off and Kirra Mason casually plucked the ball from the air above her head and passed it out to the space. The ball movement was calm and deliberate through a number of hands until it found the hands of Georgia Horne who ran 50 metres to score her 4th try and to give Narrabri the lead 39-33 with less than 2 minutes to play.
The excitement of the taking the lead was tempered with the realisation that Narrabri now had to endure two minutes of pure terror as they desperately tried to hang on.
Only the dying moments of a grand final can generate the intense rugby theatre that both teams had to endure at this point.
As the time drained away Narrabri retained possession off the kick off however there was one final twist as they were penalised twice for off-side and had to have one last defensive effort. Narrabri were out on their feet but still they defended with all the ferocity that only bush kids can summon.
In the final play a desperate kick through from Inverell looked to have created an opportunity for them to steal the game, however Taylor Horne had read the play beautifully to be able to clean it up and gleefully kick the ball into touch.
The title was Narrabri’s!
The bravery and self-belief that defined this victory is something that can never be taken away from this team. Every single player was outstanding and this victory is a just reward for all their hard work and they will remember this for a long time.
These are tough young woman from Narrabri and Wee Waa who have done something special - and they are ours to be proud of.
