After a blockbuster weekend in Nyngan last Saturday, the 2025 Western Plains Rugby grand final matchups are set for next weekend.

In the Ahren's Cup, the Coonamble Rams dispatched of the Walgett Ewes 28-7 to secure a rematch with the Gulargambone Flamin' Galahs.

And in the Elders First Grade, Nyngan scraped home against the Warren Pumas to book their tickets to a grand final rematch against the Walgett Rams.

Ahren's Cup Preliminary Final: Coonamble 28 def Walgett 7

Destiny was seemingly calling for the Rams after their close major semi loss to Gulargambone last week.

And boy did they answer the call, taking care of business against a Walgett side that they struggled to put away just weeks earlier.

A dominant 28-7 win, highlighted by heads-up football, free-flowing attack, and a hard-nosed defence.

Walgett weren't allowed to work their way into the match, with their lone try coming from a lapse in the Rams' defensive line.

Pleased as punch after their win in Nyngan, Coonamble Rams girls. IMAGE: Coonamble Rams Rugby Union

As for the Rams, it was the culmination of their work throughout 2025.

They’ve been building for years, but these past weeks feel as though they’ve hit their stride, playing the game as it unfolds in front of them and controlling the pace through high percentage football.

This now sets up a massive grand final matchup between the best two teams all year.

Coonamble have everything to play for and nothing to lose, and Gulargambone will be fired up to defend their undefeated record and avenge their three straight grand final losses.

Elder's First Grade Preliminary Final: Nyngan 20 def Warren 18.

A rematch of last year's prelim final went eerily similarly, with late penalty kicks deciding the fate of the game.

Sadly for Warren, they would be on the short end of the stick for the second year running.

Warren got out to a hot start, leading 6-0 off the boot of Hagan Size to set the tone.

However, Nyngan fired off two tries of their own to take the lead back to 10-6.

A try late in the half to Warren saw them take the lead 13-10 going into halftime, with the game having all the makings of a nail-biting finish.

Nyngan fired back early in the half to retake the lead after a penalty try was awarded to take the score out to 17-13.

As the game wore on, the ball parked itself firmly in Nyngan's half, and the Pumas had all the ball, putting pressure on the Bulls' defensive line.

A late try to the Pumas saw them take the lead with just 9 minutes to go, narrowly leading 18-17 after the conversion went wide.

Warren was awarded another penalty kick soon after, but the kick went wide right to keep the game at a one-point margin.

The fate was not the same for Nyngan, and with two minutes to go, a penalty was awarded 40 metres out of the Warren tryline on the left touchline after a high tackle.

Bogan Bulls after a late charge. IMAGE: Bogan Bulls Rugby

The kick could only be described as perfect.

In front of the Warren bench, game on the line, the ice-cold Mat Sheather nailed it with just a minute to go.

The game was seemingly all but over; Nyngan just needed one more defensive stand.

But in a twist of fate, Warren was given one last chance.

A penalty kick of the same distance and location as that awarded to Nyngan just moments earlier was awarded to Warren.

But with time expired, this one was for the game.

Warren's Hagan Size had a hot start with the boot, nailing two massive penalties from deep, and had the opportunity to sink Nyngan with the kick just in front of their bench and fans.

He fired off the kick as the buzzer sounded, and it looked the goods, starting out on the right post.

It was almost perfect, but the ball kept veering left, and by the time it reached the uprights, it sailed past the left post, missing by the smallest of margins.

Elation for Nyngan, devastation for Warren.

The Bogan Bulls now book a date with defending premiers Walgett, in a rematch of last years grand final that went into extra time.