By BRYSON LUFF

The Coonabarabran Unicorns and the Cobar Roosters both claimed the two prized competition points in their matches against Gilgandra and Gulgong respectively, but both had to put in big efforts to win what were two highly entertaining games.

Played at Coonabarabran the Unicorns had to come from behind to clinch the deal, winning the game 34 to 26 after the two sides were locked together at 10 all at half time, before the visitors shot out to a 20 to 10 lead early in the second half and looking set to take the game.

However, the blue and golds had a different idea and they surged back to score 18 unanswered points to lead 28 to 20 before the Panthers scored a converted try with eight minutes to go, and with the scoreboard reading 28 to 26 the stage was set for a grandstand finish.

Indeed, that is what eventuated with the final result in doubt until the Unicorns touched down for a converted try in the final seconds of the thrilling encounter to win 34 to 26.

At Gulgong the home side again proved that they are well and truly in the mix for premiership contention when they stuck it to the high-flying Roosters in what was another exciting game, losing the game, but no supporters when they went down 18 points to 10.

At Dunedoo the Swans bounced back from their defeat at the hands of the Roosters the previous week when they had little trouble downing the Coonamble Bears, winning 62 to nil.

With just four rounds remaining the race for the semis is well and truly on with the match of the round being played at McGrane Oval this Saturday, when the Panthers host the Dunedoo Swans.

With Cobar having the bye the Swans will be keen for the two competition points to keep in the race for the minor premiership, whilst the Panthers need to make a statement against a side that is placed above them on the competition ladder, having not defeated Dunedoo or Cobar thus far this season.

The Panthers have a firm grip on third position on the competition ladder at the moment, but a loss by them will give both Coonabarabran and Gulgong some degree of hope in terms of them finishing in that position.

Christie and Hood Castlereagh League Round 14 Scores

Youth League

Baradine 20 (Kane Wiggins 2, Jermaine Thurston, Brendan Glover tries, Stephen Parry-Leonard 2 goals) defeated Binnaway 14 (Johnathon Evans 2 tries, Mathew Hungerford 3 goals)

League Tag

Cobar 32 (Neve Carter 3, Brennah Aumua 2, Mollie Harley tries, Zoe Egan 4 goals) defeated Gulgong 14 (Emily Kirk 2, Amali Hollow tries, Mel Robinson goal)

Gilgandra 26 (Shian Chatfield 2, Talitha Chatfield, Sheryn Baird, Tori Canham tries, Shian Chatfield 2, Canham goals) defeated Coonabarabran 20 (Teaghan Barron, Rachael Barron, Armani Whipper, Molly Sutherland tries, Teaghan Barron 2 goals)

Baradine 54 (Madison Masman 3, Fleur Andrews 2, Savannah Carey 2, Maria Nagy 2, Mariah Pennell tries, Nagy 7 goals) defeated Binnaway 4 (Olivia Milson try)

Dunedoo 22 (Hallie Hogden 2,Meg Christensen, Alexis Gallagher tries, Ceara Smith 3 goals) defeated Coonamble 18 (Hannah Towns 2, Jenni-Leigh Gaff, Tayla Pennell tries, Emily Ryan goal)

Trangie bye

Competition ladder

Dunedoo 26, Baradine 26, Coonabarabran 18, Gilgandra 18, Coonamble 16, Cobar 14, Binnaway 10, Gulgong 8, Trangie 4.

First Grade

Cobar 18 (Ben Griffiths 2, Tristan Everett tries, Thomas Plater 3 goals) defeated Gulgong 10 (Ethan Pegus, Dan Crane tries, James Morrison goal)

Coonabarabran 34 (Anthony Harris 2, Paul Jones, Dean Lewin, Brad Fuller, Jack Ramage tries, Jai Cain 5 goals) defeated Gilgandra 26 (Kyzah Louie, George Alchin, Luke Ritchie, Hayden Smith, Cameron Bamblett tries, Brandon Hammond 3 goals)

Dunedoo 62 (Zac Warwicker 4, Andrew Warwicker 3, Tyson Searle, Bayden Searle, Tom Shearman, Will Hawkins, Chanse Burgess tries, Dan Lane 6 goals) defeated Coonamble 0

Competition Ladder

Dunedoo 26, Cobar 26, Gilgandra 22, Gulgong 16, Coonabarabran 16, Trangie 12, Coonamble 9, Baradine 9

Next Saturday July 24 Round 15

Coonamble v Gulgong, Gilgandra V Dunedoo, Trangie V Baradine, Coonabarabran V Binnaway, Cobar bye.