by Tony Clarke (Armidale Express, 26/04/2006)

The 2006 TAFL competition got off to a strong start on the weekend with three solid games being played in Narrabri, Gunnedah and Tamworth.

The Inverell Saints travelled to Narrabri to take on the Eagles and came away with the points in a physical encounter, winning 17-10-112 to the Eagles 12-7-79.

The Eagles started well, leading at the first break.

The Saints fought back and took the lead in the second quarter and did not relinquish it for the rest of the game.

Best for the Saints were Peter Dunlop, Shaun Rynne, John Elphick,Bruce Wall, Nathan Munro, Brendan Anderson, Tony Halloran and Fraser Hughes.

Best for the Eagles were Dwayne Shawcross, Scott Woolford, Mark Barrow, Dean Patten, Dave Lewis and Daniel Hughes.

The Tamworth Kangaroos took on the Gunnedah Bulldogs at Gunnedah and the while the final score was heavily in favour of the Roos, the game was a much closer contest than that score would indicate.

A six goal final quarter pushed up the Roos’ score, but the margins at each of the other breaks were never more than two or three goals.

The Roos took the points, finishing strongly 18-13-121 to 10-10-70.

Best for the Roos were George Massa, Craig Abbott, Cameron Douglas, Daniel Ray and Marshall Douglas.

Best for the Dogs were Dean Foley, Garry Briggs, Ben Dellamotte, Arlo Pryor, Scott Hardy and Paul Parkes.

The final game saw the New England Nomads travel to Tamworth to take on the Tamworth Swans.

The Nomads made up for their pre-season Tablelands Cup disappointment and were able to take the points, kicking 11 goals to seven.

Best for the Nomads were Tom Hunt, Angus MacKenzie, Mark Kelly, Glen Northway, John Webber and John Mahy.

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express.

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