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Bre beats Bourke in tight league showdown

Western Plains App

River McCrossen

05 August 2024, 7:40 AM

Bre beats Bourke in tight league showdownThe Brewarrina Golden Googers celebrate their grand triumph on Sunday afternoon over rivals Bourke Warriors. PHOTO: Facebook/ Peyton L Kelly

After seven years, the Barwon Darling Rugby League mens title is back in Brewarrina hands after the Golden Googars defeated the Bourke Warriors in the Sunday grand final, 18-14.


The showdown drew at least 150 spectators to a cool but rainless day in Walgett, where the Warriors' fate was sealed with a disallowed try in the last five minutes of the second half.


Googer supporters exploded onto the field after the final whistle and club president Sharon Fox screamed so hard that she "had no voice" the next morning.



"All outback towns love their football, but Bre's passionate about their football," Sharon said.


"They love the crowd. They like doing it for the crowd and community.


"Every time they scored a try, the crowd was just wild."


The last time Brewarrina took the trophy was in 2017. PHOTO: Facebook/ Peyton L Kelly


The Googars built on a 10-2 lead from half time, although Bourke didn't let them take the cup without a fight..


Warriors president George Orcher said his team, who had expected to face Walgett in the final, were "gutted."


"We'll get over it," he said.


"We were slow to start, but we worked into it.



"Brewarrina played enormous. They dominated with every forward pack," Mr Orcher said.


"It was played in good spirit."


It's the second time in as many years that Bourke has missed out in a grand final, losing last year to a joint Goodooga-Lightning Ridge side.


The 15s girls' tag sides Brewarrina Golden Googars and Lightning Ridge Redbacks. PHOTO: Facebook/ Peyton L Kelly


Brewarrina's girls under-15 tag side had less luck against the Lightning Ridge Redbacks, losing 60-0, although Sharon said they weren't too down in the dumps.


"They were just stoked because they got to the grand final," she said.


"I said to them 'it doesn't matter if you win, lose or draw. You got to the grand final.'"