By TOM CULLEN

Touch 7s Major Semi-final Walgett Ewes vs Flamin Gulars

Walgett continued their dominance in the competition beating Gular convincingly 30-10 booking their place in the grand final.

It was a fast paced game from the start with Walgett taking an early lead with 2 quick tries to Brook Davey and Teeghan Annear.

Gular continued to apply pressure and were very strong with their kicking game at least being able to gain some valuable field position at times. However Walgett continually found ways to score and proving to the strong crowd why they are undefeated so far.

It maybe one those years where a team dominates like this Gular’s best chance is to be just crowned best of the rest. Gular will need to beat a resurgent Warren Pumarettes to get another crack at Walgett in the grand final.

PHOTO: Walgett proved to good for the Flamin Gulars on Saturday winning by 20-10

Minor Semi-final Bourke & Brewarrina Barbarians vs Nyngan Bogan Bulls

Nyngan were too strong too early for the Barbarians to allow a fairy tale comeback booking the Bulls a place in the pre-liminary finals vs Walgett next week.

Unfortunately for the Barbarians that’s season ending and coaches Rory Finlayson and John Milgate were very disappointed with their performance.

The first half was all Nyngan and the Barbarians had no answers with strong runs from their big forwards Rory Finlayson, Richie Steele and Jason Morton being met with eager defence from the Bulls.

When the barbarians went to use their biggest weapons out wide in the backs the unforced errors spoiled their chance.

PHOTO: A game of attrition saw Nyngan knock out the Bre-Bourke Barbarians by 27-17

At the halfway mark however the Barbarians found the form that we saw in last weeks narrow loss to minor premiers Walgett.

A grandstand finish was on the cards but Nyngan’s James Carter, who had just returned from the blood bin pounced on a loose ball and scored with minutes remaining putting the game out of reach for the barbarians.

Nyngan deserved winners in the end 27-17 with a fantastic performance particularly by their forwards under coach and club president Bryan ‘Bubba’ Perry.

Major Semi-final Walgett Rams vs Warren Pumas

This game was always going to deliver as a tight contest but no one thought it would’ve been this competitive nor have predicted the result. Warren Pumas did what they hadn’t done since 2019 and beat Walgett at home and in a major-semi final to make it all the more sweeter.

It was a game where no team fully took control or got out to a comfortable lead. A real arm wrestle appreciated by the strong crowd. Warren were able to hang on to a 10-5 lead going into half-time with the biggest positive for them being they had battled a head wind for it.

As the second half wore on though Walgett started to turn the screws on their visitors with a well crafted try from one of the stars of the zone Dillon Walford linking up well with winger Grant Green.

This put Walgett in the lead 19-17 with the Walgett crowd igniting after a nervous period of being behind on the scoreboard.

PHOTO: Try time! Warren crash over for their first try of the game on route to their win against Walgett on Saturday

A feeling not too familiar over the last 3 years.

Warren had one last push though and with the wind behind their backs were able to score through none other than ex-Walgett player Hagan Size with 5 minutes remaining.

Warren kicked the ball out and the game was over. Warren victorious 24-19.

This Saturday from 12:30pm we return to Walgett to see the Flamin Gulars take on the Warren Pumarettes in the touch 7s final, followed by some entertaining rugby from some young and not so young players in the second grade final between Warren Pumas and Coonamble Rams.

PHOTO: The Warren Pumarettes

And finally in first grade the Walgett Rams will get a second chance against the Nyngan Bogan Bulls.

All winners progressing to the grand final in Warren on the 2^nd September.