The table topping Coolah Kangaroos and the second placed Coonabarabran Unicorns are set to thrash it out next Saturday 28 June in a game that should draw one of the biggest crowds in recent times to the Coonabarabran Sportsground.

The ‘Roos are unbeaten thus far in 2025, but they can expect that they will have to work hard to maintain that status against the Unicorns who have only suffered the one defeat in the opening eight rounds of the competition, that being a two-point loss to the Cobar Roosters at Cobar back in round three.

Both teams had strong wins last weekend with Coolah retaining the Boronia Cup when they saw off the challenge from the Gulgong Bull Terriers with an emphatic 52 to 12 victory at Coolah.

The Unicorns were too good for the Coonamble Bears, converting a 14 points to nil lead at half time into a 36 to 10 win with five of their seven tries being scored by their players numbered one to five which gives an indication as to their willingness to spread the ball in attack.

The Dunedoo Swans returned to the winners list when they downed the Warren Bulldogs 40 points to 30 in a high scoring game played out at Warren.

Apart from what should be great clash at Coonabarabran some other interesting games are on offer throughout the Castlereagh area this coming Saturday.

Not the least of these will be the game at Narromine’s Cale Oval when the third placed Jets host the equal fourth placed Cobar Roosters and with the race for a semi final berth hotting up the precious competition points on offer should ensure an entertaining game unfolds.

Similarly, the desire to stay in the semi final hunt means that the game to be played at Coonamble, between the Bears and the Bull Terriers from Gulgong will be a willing affair, and whilst not life threatening to the loser, not getting the competition points will make it just that little harder for the loser.

Whilst it will not be a top of the table clash at Baradine this Saturday, in fact it will be a battle of the two teams situated at the opposite end of the ladder.

The game between the Magpies and the Warren Bulldogs is expected to be hard fought as both teams go all out to secure their first win for the season.

Round nine sees the commencement of the hugely popular reserve grade competition with games to be played at all venues plus at the Binnaway’s home ground, The Crater, when the Bombshells host the rather historic return of the Mendooran Tigers to the playing field, with the Tigers not having played for 40 years!

 Christie and Hood Castlereagh League Round 8 scores

League Tag

• Coolah 40 - (Brooklyn Blackadder 3, Molly Burgess 3, Mackenzie Blackadder tries, Lisa Jones 6 goals) defeated Gulgong 4 (Imogen Hollow try).

• Narromine 56 - (Jacana Powell 3, Rebecca Trethowan 2, Lily Spackman, Shian Chatfield, Chloe McLean, Talitha Chatfield, Taylor McLean, Emily Fardell tries, Shian Chatfield 3, Talitha Chatfield 2, Trethowan goals) defeated Gilgandra 0.

•  Coonamble 26 - (Temia Robinson 3, Jenni-Leigh Gatt, Shakaye Walker tries, Sam Turnbull 3 goals) defeated Coonabarabran 8 (Anthea Karavas, Emily Mathews tries).

•  Baradine 28 (Maria Nagy 2, Stephanie Dewson, Zali Fulton, Adda Craig tries, Nagy 4 goals) defeated Cobar 14 (Brianna Watson, Taylah Good, Sophie Clark tries, Watson goal).

•  Dunedoo 38 (Matilda Harper 2, Georgia Price 2, Chloe Brougham, Chelsea Gallagher, Shelley Cox tries, Price 5 goals) defeated Warren 12 (Mab Fuller 2, Harmonie Morris tries).

Unicorns chasing down a Coonamble Bear. IMAGE: FACEBOOK

Competition ladder

1. Coolah 24,
2. Narromine 22,
3. Dunedoo 20,
4. Baradine 18,
5. Cobar 16,
6. Warren 16,
7. Gulgong 12,
8. Coonabarabran 12,
9. Coonamble 12,
10. Gilgandra 8.

First Grade

• Coolah 52 (Hugh Wesley 3, Jack Piper 2, Dylon Edwards, Brian Bradshaw, Brayden Burgess, Tyler Lennox, Austin Burgess tries, Dan Lane 6 goals) defeated Gulgong 12 (John Douglas 2, Riley Cunningham tries).

•  Coonabarabran 36 (Eddie Kuras, Sonny Bill Walker, Nick Willoughby, Brad Fuller, Sam Pickette, Sam Wilson, Luke Michael tries, Fuller 3, Walker goals) defeated Coonamble 10 (Jack Kelly, Kaleb Fernando tries, Brenton Glover goal).

•  Cobar 60 defeated Baradine 0.

• Dunedoo 40 (Rory Madden 3, Will Duce, Ty Sutherland, Mana Dermott, Mack Ellis tries, Sutherland 6 goals) defeated Warren 30 (Donald Kennedy 2, Jye Day, Patty Potter, Harry Thaux, Elias Kennedy tries, Tom Potter 3 goals).

Warren Senior Rugby League. [IMAGE: facebook]

Competition Ladder

1.  Coolah 24,
2. Coonabarabran 22,
3. Narromine 19,
4. Gulgong 18,
5. Cobar 18,
6. Coonamble 16,
7. Dunedoo 14,
8. Warren 11,
9. Baradine 9.

Round 9 Saturday 28 June

• Coonabarabran V Coolah,
• Narromine V Cobar.
• Coonamble v Gulgong.
• Baradine V Warren.
• Gilgandra V Dunedoo (League Tag)
• Binnaway V Mendooran (Reserve grade. 1.00pm kick off

Check club socials and local media to confirm game times.