Based at Wangaratta, Victoria, trainer Russell Green has often raced his team at meetings in western New South Wales and on Saturday he won the 1700 metres DJW & Wells Cobar Picnic Cup with Lord Percy. Starting the $8 outsider in the Cup, Lord Percy (Zara Lewis) took the lead from Outback Cod and in the straight fought off the challenge from Coastal Groove (Leandro Ribeiro, $2.30) and Joshua (Todd Bailey, $2 favourite). Blackhill Kitty is entitled to be early favourite for the $50,000 Picnic Champions Series Final at Dubbo in September after winning at Cobar and finishing on top of the point score qualifying ladder for the Final. From near last in the 1400 metres Nutrien Russell Trophy Handicap, Blackhill Kitty (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.20 favourite) reeled in the leader Loud (Ricky Blewitt, $4.20) to win by a length with Different Road (Paul Zerafa, $10) in third place. Horses trained at Tumbarumba by Mont Waters hold track records at several venues and it was another record when Cassimir ($4) ridden by Mont’s daughter Emily Waters came from midfield to beat the leader Spirit Lake (Bessie Dimery, $3 favourite) and Obsessive Nature (Ashley Boyd, $4.60) in the 1000 metres Cynend Building & Construction Trophy Handicap. Widely travelled Forbes trainer Bill Hayes who has had starters from King Island, Tasmania to outback NSW over the past 7 months, won the 1000 metres Cobar Steel Class B Handicap with Rubicon River. Parked behind the leaders turning for home, Rubicon River (Ashley Boyd, $6) finished best to beat Spotted (Ricky Blewitt, $3 favourite) and Savvy Statement (Emily Waters, $4.40) Owned by Andy Barrow and family from Gunnedah and trained at Gilgandra by Kieren Hazelton, Ransom’s Girl (Ricky Blewitt, $2.10 favourite) won the 1000 metres Maiden Plate while the Ray Hartley, Tamworth trained Point To Prove ($2.20 favourite) won the 1400 metres Sullivans Mining & Industrial Class B Handicap.

Dubbo trainer Connie Greig looks set to dominate the NSW Country Picnics series with her 6 year old mare Black Hall Kitty running at Cobar tomorrow (Saturday 2 August).It's the last chance for owners and trainers to earn points with their horses in the race to qualify for the rich NSW Picnic Champion Series Final.The total prize pool for the Finals of $100,000 has further increased interest and competition over the statewide picnic circuit.Prior to this year a $50,000 Final was held over 1400m, however, a $50,000 Final over 1000m will also be run on the same day.The finals are scheduled for Sunday 28 September at Dubbo Racecourse.It all began with Geurie back in September 2024 and has taken in 25 meetings prior to Cobar.Points are allocated on a sliding scale with the highest being for Cup races down to the lower class restricted races.With 12 starters plus emergencies for each of the Finals and some horses being turned out for spells or for other reasons, there is likely to be changes in the qualifiers after the Cobar meeting on Saturday and before the Finals at Dubbo.Black Hall Kitty runs in the 1400 metre Russell Trophy Handicap on Saturday and is a recent winner at the distance on the Cobar track.Blackhall Kitty is set to star again again. IMAGE : Janinan McMillan Racing PhotographyShe has outstanding form on the Picnic circuit and jockey Todd Bailey reunites with her for the run. She leads qualifiers for the NSW Country Picnic Series by 3 points .Feature race is the Cobar Picnic Cup 1700m trainer Connie Greig has 2 horses engaged.Joshua a 6 year old gelding who was close over the longer 2400m at Warren and Coastal Groove a 5 year old brown horse.Lord Percy and trainer Russell Green make the long trek from Wangarratta but has won at 1600 metres. Picnic Racing Championship pointsThe current leading point scorers are as follows. Blackhill Kitty— Connie Greig (trainer) 58 points.Billy Bent Ear—Connie Greig—55.Individualist—Connie Greig—43.Namarari—Mont Waters—39.Allande—Connie Greig—37.Pahang—Connie Greig—35.Laisvas—Connie Greig—30.Mr Pointer—Wayne Prisk—30. Real Salty—Connie Greig—29.I’m Scarlett—Connie Greig—28. Foxstorm—Ashley Gibson—27 Chookster—Connie Greig—25.Benyatta—Connie Greig—23.Celtic Harp—Connie Greig—23.One Command—Nikki Pollock—23.Avoid Me—Julia Presits—22.Joanneski—Nikki Pollock—20. Norman—Gavin Groth—19. Super Hot—Geoff O’Brien—19.Yet Tobe A Cod—Debbie Prest—19. Full Revolution—Connie Greig—17. Mean Girls—Kieren Hazelton—17. Stanawi—Terry Fulwood—17. Titled Tycoon—Rod Northam—17. Zillions—Sharon Jeffries—17. Avvertimento—Bill Hayes—15. Casino Silk—Terry Fulwood—15. East Harlem—Peter Kirby—15.Scruff’s Magic—Michael Travers—14. Annual—Gavin Groth—14. Boy’s Cry—Nikki Pollock—14. Notes—Scott Spackman—14. Oakeys Choice—Luke Musson—14. Puerto Rico—Mont Waters—14. Spirit Lake—Darrell Burnet—14. Around 100 horses have between 5 and 13 points.

What a win! A nail-biting finish went the way of the Coonamble Rams on Saturday, who knocked off the rival Walgett Ewes by 7 to 5. While a traditional rivalry always makes the game mean that little bit more, on this occasion, the result would have serious finals implications. The winner secures second on the ladder, and with it a berth in the major semi-final in two weeks. And for the loser, they're given a tougher path to the grand final, playing in the minor semi-final next Saturday. Coming into the game, you couldn’t split the two teams; Coonamble beat Walgett in their first matchup earlier this year, but Walgett were fresh off a shock draw with Gulargambone just the week prior. The game went just about the same. A tussle for the lead from start to finish, Coonamble speedster Gemma Fitzgerald grabbed the opening try early in the first half to push the lead out to 5-0. Rams kicker Rachel Sefton converted the try to secure the lead to 7-0. The game stood at a deadlock from then on; both sides' defences were at the peak of their powers and any threats were snuffed out quick smart. However, after a prolonged period in Coonamble's half, Walgett would be rewarded for their efforts through Pamela Abel who crashed over to bring the scores back to 7-5. A tough kick from the right sideline was painfully close to going in for Walgett but wasn’t to be, and Coonamble remained in the lead with under ten minutes to go. With all the momentum Walgett continued their push and the game's final stages were all played out deep in Coonamble's half. But it would be the Rams who would make the stand, covering off any final attacks from Walgett and coming away as winners. Next week, Walgett will head down to Warren to take on the defending premiers Nyngan in the minor semi-final. As for the major semi-final, the undefeated Gulargambone Flamin Galahs will take on second-placed Coonamble up in Walgett on August 9 for a chance to play in the grand final.

The final five in the 2025 Christie and Hood Castlereagh League first grade competition will not be known until all the fulltime sirens at three different venues are sounded to signal the end of the competition rounds this Saturday afternoon (2 August).The only certainty is that the Coolah Kangaroos will be the minor premiers but the finishing order of another six clubs who are in the fight for the remaining four semi-final berths is very much a mystery and will not be resolved until the results from games played at Cobar, Coolah and Gulgong are known.Currently the Coonabarabran Unicorns hold down second position on the ladder after they scored a tense 34 to 28 win over the Cobar Roosters at Coonabarabran, but the Unicorns face the daunting task of trying to be the first team to lower the Kangaroos colours this season when the travel to Coolah this Saturday with a win guaranteeing then second place and qualifying semi hosting rights with the Boronia Cup thrown in as an added bonus.Sitting just one point adrift of the Unicorns on the competition ladder are the Narromine Jets who stayed in the race for second when they downed the Warren Bulldogs 30 to 20 at Warren last Saturday.The Jets can expect a warm reception at Cobar’s Tom Knight Oval this Saturday, especially with the Roosters still in contention for the semis.The Gulgong Bull Terriers can leapfrog the Jets on the ladder and finish in third position if they can get over the top of the Coonamble Bears at Billy Dunn Oval, and if the Jets lose to Cobar.Irrespective of their result against the Bears the Terriers are assured of a semi-final berth. At worse they will finish fourth.Fifth position on the ladder is a three-way shootout between the Cobar Roosters, the Coonamble Bears and the Dunedoo Swans with all three clubs currently sitting on 25 competition points.The Swans will finish on 28 points due to having the bye this weekend, and if both Cobar and Coonamble lose they are in.If either, or both, Cobar and Coonamble win then it will come down to points differential determining who gets the nod to play on after round 14, and in that regard the Swans are the worst placed.Similar to the first grade, the final composition of the both the league tag and reserve grade semi-finalists also remain unknown and will not be decided until this Saturday afternoon.Christie and Hood Castlereagh League Round 13 scores:League TagThe Coonabarabran Unicorns League Tag donned special 'Ladies Day' jerseys on Saturday [IMAGE: Coonabarabran Unicorns RLFC]Coolah 44 (Brooklyn Blackadder 5, Jasmine Newton 2, Tori Mogg, Molly Burgess tries; Chelsea Mogg 2 goals, Lisa Jones goal) defeated Coonamble 0.Cobar 40 (Taylah Good 3, Kayal Hasson-Williams 2, Bridgette Negfeldt, Brianna Watson tries; Brianna Watson 6 goals) defeated Coonabarabran 0.Dunedoo 24 (Matilda Harper 2, Shelley Cox, Lexi Gallagher tries; Chelsea Gallagher 2 goals, Shelley Cox 2 goals) defeated Baradine 22 (Maria Nagy 2, Kate Masman, Suzannah Carey tries; Maria Nagy 3 goals).Narromine 42 (Shian Chatfield 2, Hannah Towns 2, Haleigh McCarney, Jacan Powell, Brianna Davis tries; Shian Chatfield 6 goals, Brianna Davis goal) defeated Warren 6 (Chloe Deguit try: Maddie Marks goal).Gulgong 20 (Millie Harper, Claire Bodiam, Lolly Tumpey, Georgie Gudgeon tries; Lolly Tumpey 2 goals) defeated Gilgandra 10 (Kiara Brown, Skye Doherty tries; Mackaylah Ross goal).Competition tableCoolah: 13 wins, 0 losses, +436 f/a, 39 pointsDunedoo: 11 wins, 2 losses, +456 f/a, 35 pointsNarromine: 10 wins, 3 losses, +336 f/a, 33 pointsBaradine: 9 wins, 4 losses, +172 f/a, 31 pointsCobar: 6 wins, 7 losses, -52 f/a, 25 pointsWarren: 6 wins, 7 losses, -68 f/a, 25 pointsGulgong: 4 wins, 9 losses, -150 f/a, 21 pointsCoonamble: 4 wins, 9 losses, -362 f/a, 21 pointsCoonabarabran: 2 wins, 11 losses, -366 f/a, 17 pointsGilgandra: 0 wins, 13 losses, -402 f/a, 13 points             Reserve GradeBaradine grabbed a couple of wins on the weekend to cap off some 100-game celebrations [IMAGEL Baradine Magpies Senior RLFC]Coonamble 36 (Hamish Astill 2, Brendon Draper, Nathan Walker, Quinton Kennedy, Malakai Haley, Jack Ward tries; Kevin Thurston 3 goals, Brendon Draper goals) defeated Coolah 20 (Charlie Spicer 2, Lyall Houghton 2 tries; Sam Wesley 2 goals).Coonabarabran 48 (Sonny Bill Walker 3, Mathew Watton 2, Cody Howe, Keizer Wood, Marshal Tighe, Nash Walker tries; Sonny Bill Walker 3, Cody Howe, Keizer Wood, Mathew Watton goals) defeated Cobar 4 (Aiden Swan try).Baradine 34 (Thomas Martin, Liam Blackall, Reuben Ruttley, Brandon Worrell, Wade Sutherland, Anthony McDonough, Craig Harris tries; Jai Cain 3 goals) defeated Mendooran 0.Narromine 20 (Alex Sambrook 2, Chad Jacobson, Mick Clarke tries; Liam Wherritt 2 goals) defeated Warren 4 (Adam Pascoe try).Binnaway 16 (Cody Whitty, Ben Murphy, Dane Anastasis, Travis Tighe tries) defeated Gulgong 10 (Reign Cullen, Rob Brodbeck tries, Caiden Horton goal).Competition ladderNarromine: 5 wins, 0 losses, +88 f/a, 15 pointsBaradine: 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, +48 f/a, 12 pointsBinnaway: 3 wins, 2 losses, +54 f/a, 11 pointsGulgong: 3 wins, 2 losses, +14 f/a, 11 pointsCoonamble: 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, +4 f/a, 11 pointsCoonabarabran: 2 wins, 3 losses, +50 f/a, 9 pointsCobar: 2 wins, 3 losses, +30 f/a, 9 pointsMendooran: 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses, -74 f/a, 8 pointsWarren: 1 win, 4 losses, -96 f/a, 6 pointsCoolah: 1 win, 4 losses, -118 f/a, 6 pointsFirst GradeYou couldn't miss the Warren Bulldogs on the weekend, who wore pink for Breast Cancer on Saturday [IMAGE: Warren Bulldogs RLFC]Coolah Kangaroos 54 (Jayden Brown 3, Hugh Wesley 2, Brayden Burgess, Dan Lane, Casey Burgess, Chanse Burgess, Austin Burgess tries; Dan Lane 7 goals) defeated Coonamble Bears 16 (Kane Wiggins, Andrew Peacocke, Elvy McEwen tries: Andrew Peacocke, Mitch Nalder goals).Coonabarabran Unicorns 34 (Sam Pickette 2, Brad Fuller, Sam Wilson, Tyler Frazer, Jarrod Michael tries; Nick Willoughby 4, Brad Fuller goals) defeated Cobar Roosters 28 (Timothy Hillam 2, Kai Taylor 2, Lochlan Ford tries; Tadgh McMullen 4 goals).Dunedoo Swans 44 (Tyler Bamblett 2, Will Duce, Kyzah Louie, Ty Sutherland, Ta Dermott, Lockie Le Brenton, Josh Brown tries; Ty Sutherland 6 goals) defeated Baradine Magpies 10 (Cameron Worrell, Luke Hamilton Snr tries; Luke Hamilton Jnr goal).Narromine Jets 30 (Janus Walford 2, Washington Itoya, Charlie Isedale, Kaiden Hill, Corey Cox tries; Corey Cox 3 goals) defeated Warren Bulldogs 20 (Elias Kennedy 3, Lachlan Clarke tries; Tom Potter 2 goals).Gulgong Bull Terriers bye.Competition LadderCoolah: 12 wins, 0 losses, 1 bye +282 f/a, 39 pointsCoonabarabran: 9 wins, 3 losses, 1 bye +175 f/a, 33 pointsNarromine: 8 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses, 1 bye, +124 f/a, 32 pointsGulgong: 7 wins, 4 losses, 2 byes, +6 f/a, 31 pointsCoonamble: 3 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses, 2 byes, +25 f/a, pointsCobar: 4 wins, 7 losses, 2 byes, +19 f/a, 25 pointsDunedoo: 5 wins, 7 losses, 1 bye, -22 f/a, 25 pointsWarren: 2 wins, 1 draw, 9 losses, 1 bye, -207 f/a 19 pointsBaradine: 0 wins, 11 losses, 1 bye, -440 f/a, 16 pointsRound 14 Saturday 2 August:Reserve GradeGulgong Bull Terriers (4) vs Coonamble Bears (5): 12:00pm at Billy Dunn Oval, Gulgong.Coolah Kangaroos (10) vs Coonabarabran Unicorns (6): 12:00pm at Bowen Oval, Coolah.Mendooran Tigers (8) vs Binnaway Bombshells (3): 12:00pm at Robertson Park, Dunedoo.Cobar Roosters (7) vs Narromine Jets (1): 12:00pm at Tom Knight Oval, Cobar.Warren Bulldogs (9) vs Baradine Magpies (2): 12:00pm at Warren Sporting Complex, Warren.League TagGulgong Bull Terriers (7) vs Coonamble Bears (8): 1:15pm at Billy Dunn Oval, Gulgong.Coolah Kangaroos (1) vs Coonabarabran Unicorns (9): 1:15pm at Bowen Oval, CoolahDunedoo Swanettes (2) vs Gilgandra Panthers (10): 1:15pm at Robertson Park, Dunedoo.Cobar Roosters (5) vs Narromine Jets (3): 1:15pm at Tom Knight Oval, Cobar.Warren Bulldogs (6) vs Baradine Magpies (4): 1:15pm at Warren Sporting Complex, Warren.1st GradeGulgong Bull Terriers (4) vs Coonamble Bears (5): 2:30pm at Billy Dunn Oval, Gulgong.Coolah Kangaroos (1) vs Coonabarabran Unicorns (2): 2:30pm at Bowen Oval, Coolah.Cobar Roosters (6) vs Narromine Jets (3): 2:30pm at Tom Knight Oval, Cobar.Warren Bulldogs (8) vs Baradine Magpies (9): 2:30pm at Warren Sporting Complex, Warren.Bye: Dunedoo Swans (7)Check club socials and local media to confirm game times.

What a difference a week can make hey. Last week, Warren were well on their way to the minor premiership after a nail-biting win over the then competition-leading Bogan Bulls. But in the final game of the season, it was the Bre-Bourke Barbarians who pulled off the upset of the year, drawing 10 all with the Pumas to put their minor premiership hopes to bed. As a result, defending premiers Walgett walk away as this year's minor premiers, beating out second-placed Nyngan by just a bonus point.A great result for the Western Plain zone for their innaugural Mental Health Round, which saw all teams don a green stripe across their usual jerseys. A credit to how tight it has been at the top end of town, the top three are separated by only three points with the bonus point system making a big impact in 2025 (Walgett 39, Nyngan 38, Warren 37). But Bre-Bourke's efforts on Saturday make this year's finals series all the more interesting, with all four teams having the ability to win (or draw at least), making it a genuine four-horse race for the Elders First Grade Shield. So, in the lead-up to the finals series, let's break down each side and their chances come August. Walgett Rams What more is there to say about the defending premiers? After adding another minor premiership to the collection following a massive 52-5 win in Coonamble on Saturday, you'd be hard pressed to find a club that you'd pick over them to win it all. Premierships in 2022 and 2024, and a close runner-up in 2023, their core group knows not only how to get to the final day of the year, but has the experience and ability to get the job done too. Close losses away to Nyngan (12-23 in Round 1) and at home versus Warren (20-24 in Round 3) show that they're not unbeatable, but it’s been a different story in the back end of the year. After those two losses, they’ve quietly chipped away at every team in front of them, rattling off seven straight wins en route to a shock minor premiership. Their backline is comfortably the best in the competition, as it has for many years now, and their boys up the middle have been putting in some serious work in recent weeks. Their minor premiership also means Walgett will not only host their major semifinal on August 9, but the following game as well, whether that be the preliminary final or the grand final itself. Be wary of Walgett, there will be no surprises if they come out on top on grand final day. Bogan Bulls After last year's Cinderella run to last year's grand final, the Bogan Bulls have continued their run of success into 2025. A close loss to Warren in round nine ruined any minor premiership chances, but if you ask any Bogan Bull about how it's all played out coming into week one of finals, I doubt they’d be unhappy. They face Walgett in the major semi-final for a chance to avenge their devastating 38-44 extra-time loss in last year's grand final at the scene of the crime in Walgett. It's been over ten years since their last shield in 2014, and this team has all the tools at their disposal - can they get the job done? Their forward pack is comfortably the best in the competition, and their backline isn't exactly to be trifled with either. While they don’t have the recent success of a Walgett or Warren to rely on, there is no easy win against this team come finals. Bet against them at your peril; nothing is more dangerous than an angry bull. Warren Pumas Which Warren will we get come finals? Before last week's outlier against Bre-Bourke, all signs pointed towards a repeat of that memorable 2023 season, which saw them take down Walgett in a famous grand final victory. However, the 10-all draw against Bre-Bourke has shades of the squad that copped back-to-back finals losses in 2024. Now that’s not to write off Warren in the slightest, on their day they’ve beaten both Nyngan and Walgett this year, with the pressure on as well, mind you. If they're allowed to control the tempo of the game, you won't beat them. Their ability to grind teams down is their strength, and a style of football that is very suited to finals pressure and pace. However, they will have to do it the hard way this year; they will have to go three wins on the trot to win the shield this year, and hosting just the one home game. It'll be tough, but if any club can grind out a few tough wins with their backs against the wall, it'll be the Pumas. Brewarrina-Bourke Barbarians The wildcard. If you talked to me a week ago about the Barbarians' chances come August, I would've told you they were just making up the numbers. But their draw against Warren last Saturday has bumped up their stocks massively. All reports from that game tell the story of a side that pushed Warren to the brink of defeat, not of a team that just got lucky off the back of a Puma capitulation. The question now is whether they can keep it rolling through finals. It'll be a herculean effort to win the grand final, and will have the hardest road of them all - travelling to every game they might play in August. The odds are still stacked against them, they are yet to beat a side not named Coonamble or Gulargambone in 2025, but you just never know do you. Momentum is a crazy thing if you get a hold of it, and maybe this team can capture lightning in a bottle and pull of the Cinderella story. Finals Fixtures: Minor Semifinal: Warren Pumas (3) vs Bre-Bourke Barbarians (4) at Victoria Park, Warren on 2 August Major Semifinal: Walgett Rams (1) vs Nyngan Bogan Bulls (2) at Algy Friend Oval, Walgett on 9 August. Western Plains Rugby Union Round 10 Results: Walgett 52 defeated Coonamble 5Nyngan 56 defeated Gulargambone 0Warren 10 draw Bre-Bourke 10 Ladder following Round 10: Walgett Rams: 8 wins, 2 losses, +240 f/a, 39 pointsNyngan Bogan Bulls: 8 wins, 2 losses, +223 f/a, 38 pointsWarren Pumas: 7 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, +191 f/a, 37 pointsBre-Bourke Barbarians: 4 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses, -37 f/a, 23 pointsCoonamble Rams: 1 win, 9 losses, -297 f/a, 7 pointsGulargambone Rugby: 1 win, 9 losses, -320, 5 points

Trangie’s Jill Skinner has rugby league’s highest honour selected as Australia’s coach again after the Jillaroos thumped England in the international this year in Las Vegas.Skinner 's side decimated England 94-0 in her first time as Australian coach."The women's game is experiencing continued and significant growth so to be part of the journey at this level is a real honour," Skinner said.The appointment to role was also made all the more special for Skinner given she is of both Indigenous and Māori heritage.On her mother's side Skinner's Aboriginal bloodline is Barkindji and she is connected to the Wongaibon People of Trangie in New South Wales, while through her father she links to Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine in New Zealand. “It’s been a massive goal for me and something I have always aspired to do … (and) I feel good at this particular time of my career to take on that responsibility and step into that role,” Skinner said.“I have felt ready for a while for it, but just waiting for an opportunity to arise to take it."She first was selected as Indigenous All Stars coach.Skinner is rates as a top 'people manager.' [IMAGE: NRL]“I was the first female coach of the All Stars which is really exciting and I am not saying it for just myself; but for me, I hope I am remembered for being a great coach, but it is really exciting to have a female to show other females that this is a pathway and that they can do this as well through the All Stars program."It’s not just a job for the boys.“It is definitely for other women to come through and … hopefully I can be a mentor to other females coming through who want to be an All Stars coach as well.“We have some amazing female coaches coming through our system at the moment which is exciting.”These systems include providing opportunities all the way to the national level with former Australian coach Brad Donald enlisting both Skinner and Kate Mullaly to be his assistant coaches during the triumphant 2022 Rugby League World Cup campaign. As a coach, Donald has won Interstate Challenge games, Test matches and Rugby League World Cup titles, but said one of the proudest moments of his career was seeing Skinner guide the Indigenous Women’s All Stars team to the win this year.“There’s lots of elements of the coaching that she has got strengths in; technically and tactically savvy, her personal relationship with players is outstanding, her understanding of culture – team culture, First Nations culture of the players within our team, Pacific Nations culture; she’s one of those coaches that ticks all the boxes,” Donald said.“She’s just a really good people manager.“One of the greatest highlights of my career was to watch her team that she coached win the All Stars game against the Māori All Stars team.“It honestly gave me shivers. I even told the chairman (Peter V’Landys) it was one of my highlights of my career.“He said something to me along the lines of ‘you’ve won a few World Cups, it must be big, what’s going on?’ and I said Jess works for our organisation, she is my assistant coach at the Jillaroos and she’s going to win this game and it’s not because they are a better team on paper, it’s because of what she’s done and she’s a great coach.”

Rain has forced Racing NSW officials to postpone the Macquarie Picnics scheduled for Trangie today.The track was deemed not suitable for racing after NSW stewards conducted an inspection earlier this morning, Saturday July 26. Club Secretary Emma Finn said weather was a concern and stewards inspected the track and it was too wet.''Farmers will be happy the rain was badly needed so we had to call the meeting off.'' Held in December after Christmas for many yearsbefore a switch of date to July the club is considering a new raceday.''We have big support from sponsors and our community so we will work with Racing NSW for another day.'' she said.The rain also postponed a meeting at Inverell.

With the minor premiership wrapped up last week and focus now shifting towards finals, the undefeated Gulargambone Flamin Galah's have been given a bit of a shake up by the Walgett Ewes last Saturday. A 12-12 draw puts a little dampener on their otherwise perfect season, and more than anything makes the upcoming Ahrens Cup finals series rather interesting. After threatening for years, 2025 has finally been the breakout season for the Gulargambone Flamin Galah's. The perennial second best side have turned the corner and have looked about as much of a sure thing for the premiership as a side can be. A side built on their defensive effort and blistering counter attack, Gulargambone started hot in 2025 and have stayed the course, securing their first minor premiership with a 8-0 record last week. With the major semi secured the only thing on the line with two weeks to go was their undefeated record, and while they still move on to the final week of the regular season without a loss, questions about their invincibility have begun to surface. That draw on Saturday shows the rest of the competition that they aren't as immortal as they’ve looked. From Gulargambone accounts the side just appeared "off" and didn’t show a lick of intensity or defensive effort that the side has been defined by all year. The top sides will smell blood in the water after Gular almost went down, and come finals it’s a genuine three race for the trophy. For a bit of context, the Ahren's Cup in 2025 has been clearly split into three tiers. In tier three we have Warren, Bourke and defending premiers Nyngan, who had been battling it out amongst themselves for the fourth spot this season until Nyngan took down Warren this week to cement their spot in finals. In tier two there's Coonamble and Walgett, who have handily defeated those below them and will battle it out for second place this coming week - certainly not one to be missed! But in a tier of their own sits the minor premiers Gulargambone, defeating Coonamble 24-10 and 25-10, and Walgett 24-5 this season to boast a 8-1-0 record with a week to go. So with the finals series teams locked in, lets take stock of where they stand. Firstly, Gulargambone. The cream of the crop in 2025 boast the aforementioned undefeated record, and a level of play that has been a class above this year - or until Saturday anyways. However, doubts still remain. For three years now Gular have made the charge all the way to the grand final only to fall at the final hurdle and come off second best. While their major semi final matchup is still yet to be determined, the expectation will be on them to get the job done and finally get over the hump en route to bring home that maiden premiership.Walgett's Ewes in June 2025. IMAGE: facebook Then we have Walgett. The perennial winners will have their tails up after pushing Gular this week and are looking very dangerous towards the back end of the year. And while they're still a far shout from those Walgett side that dominated the Touch 7s competition in 2022 and 2023, their experience and impressive no loss record against Gulargambone in finals will certainly be a factor. The only other major case for taking out the premiership in 2025 belongs to Coonamble, who have built off a strong 2024 season that saw them take down reigning premiers Walgett in a semi final. The Rams have been building year on year on year. A finals appearance in 2023, then the aforementioned Walgett win in 2024 have put the competition on notice that the Rams are here to stay. And in 2025, the Rams have been doing all the right things, and as it stands haven't lost a game to anyone not name Gulargambone. While they still have the unfortunate knack of letting in one too many tries week in week out, their attack when firing is head and shoulders above the rest, even Gulargambone's. The problem for the Rams attack though, is they still haven't found a way to fire against Gulargambone in 2025, but time will tell whether they finally get over their Flamin Galah hoodoo in August.Nyngan's lady bulls on July 13. IMAGE: facebook Lastly, we have the defending premiers Nyngan. A fascinating story, the Bulls entered the competition in 2024 and proceeded to bulldoze everyone who stood in their way, going undefeated and winning the premiership in their first year. However, in 2025 look like a shell of themselves and punters wont be giving them much of a chance come finals. But, at the end of the day winners know how to win, and given a sniff maybe the Bogan Bulls pull off a miracle come August. Round 9 Ahren's Cup Results: Walgett (12) tie Gulargambone (12)Coonamble (59) def Bourke (15)Nyngan (35) def Warren (0) Ladder following round 9: Gulargambone: 8 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses, +249 p/d, 42 pointsCoonamble: 7 wins, 2 losses, +205, 34 pointsWalgett: 6 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, +194, 31 pointsNyngan: 3 wins, 6 losses, +14, 16 pointsBourke: 2 wins, 7 losses, -227, 9 pointsWarren: 0 wins, 9 losses, -435, 0 points

Overcast weather is threatening Trangie for its Annual Macquarie Picnics due to be held tomorrow (Saturday 26 July).Race secretary Emma Flinn predicts a good crowd after 2,500 came to last year's big day of racing activity."The track is in top order but rain might wash us out and we can't be worried about it because its badly needed,'' she said.Picnic racing has attracted bumper crowds across the Western Plains at Nyngan for the Duck Creek Picnics, Cobar and Carinda in the last few weeks.Trangie's program will see 6 races with the feature race the Macquarie Picnic Cup over 1400 metres.First held in 1887, the picnic races are well versed in the flexibility needed to stage a successful event."We moved the Picnics to a different date and the committee is assessing if we need to change it back to the original date in December because of the amount of picnic races," Emma said."It is historic for the town and community backs it." Eight gallopers will take to Trangie's dirt track for the big race the Macquarie Picnic Cup. Dubbo's Connie Greig brings in-form I'M Scarlett who has strong form at the distance along with stable mate, mare Blackhall Kitty who has won at Trangie and this race last year.Norman, a 7 year old gelding from Gunnedah's Gavin Groth is a picnic specialist and also has strong possibilities.Still, with rain predicted across the west you'll need to keep an ear out for confirmation of the day's racing."We will have a track inspection Saturday morning (July 26) to see if the track is suitable to race on," Emma said.

After seeing off the Warren Bulldogs in their Boronia Cup Challenge game at Coolah last Saturday the Coolah Kangaroos have claimed the 2025 Castlereagh League minor premiership with two competition rounds remaining! The ‘Roos, who play their remaining two competition games at home against Coonamble (round 13) and Coonabarabran (round 14) can begin to make preparations to host the major semi-final that will be played at Bowen Oval on Saturday 17th August. Whilst the Coolah club has the first-grade minor premiership locked up, their league tag side, The Coolah Flyers, who like the first-grade side remain undefeated thus far this year, just need to win one of their two remaining games for the Kangaroos to claim two minor premierships, which would be a remarkable achievement, given that the clubs trophy cabinet is already bulging with the 2024 Premiership Cup and Shield along with the Boronia and Jessica Skinner Challenge Cups! Though Coolah has the minor premiership stitched up in first grade the composition and/or pecking order of the remaining four semi-final berths is still unknown. The Narromine Jets have given themselves a shot at finishing second when they downed the Coonabarabran Unicorns 23 to 16 at Narromine last Saturday, that win meaning that they now sit just one competition point below the Unicorns in third place. If Coonabarabran loses to either Cobar this Saturday or Coolah in the final round and Narromine down both Warren and Cobar in their remaining matches then the red and whites will have secured the second rung on the ladder and the right to host the qualifying semifinal. Mathematically Gulgong can also finish in second position if both Coonabarabran and Narromine lose both their remaining games after they defeated the Dunedoo Swans 28 to 12 at Dunedoo Last Saturday. The Bull Terriers will be banking the competition points next weekend courtesy of having the bye before hosting Coonamble Bears in the final round. The Bears sit on 24 competition points, equal with the Cobar Roosters but have two tough assignments coming up, playing both Coolah and Gulgong in away games. Similarly, the Roosters face tough opposition, having to travel to Coonabarabran this Saturday before taking on the Narromine Jets at Tom Knight Oval in the final round. The Bears registered a big win over the Baradine Magpies at Coonamble last Saturday the score being 64 to 12 and whilst the Magpies are not in semi-final contention, they can put a big dint in Dunedoo’s aspirations of a top five finish if they can down the Swans this coming Saturday at Baradine. The Swans, who are two competition points below both Cobar and Coonamble, have the bye in the final round so a win for them against the Magpies is vital to if they are to have any hope of playing on after the competition rounds finish, and even with a victory they will still be relying on other results to go their way. The match of the round this Saturday will be played at Coonabarabran with the Unicorns desperate for a win to hang on to second spot on the ladder and the Cobar Roosters just as equally desperate for victory to keep their semi-final hopes alive! Christie and Hood Castlereagh League Round 12 scores League Tag Dunedoo 66 (Chelsea Gallagher 4, Shelly Cox 3, Matilda Harper, Eva Hogden, Lauren Simmons, Jessie Newton tries; Chelsea Gallagher 11 goals) defeated Gulgong 6 (Millie Harper tries; Claire Bodiam 1 goal). Baradine 32 (Savannah Carey 2, Ashanti Pennell 2, Adda Craig, Maria Nagy tries; Maria Nagy 3 goals, Adda Craig 1 goal) defeated Coonamble 0. Coolah 50 (Mackenzie Blackadder 3, Brooklyn Blackadder 2, Molly Burgess 2, Fiona Whitbourne-Martin tries; Tori Mogg 8 goals Lisa Jones 1 goal) defeated Warren 24 (Mablea Fuller 4 tries; Maddie Marks 4 goals). Narromine 56 (Abbie Mitchell 2, Shian Chatfield 2, Rebecca Trethowan 2, Brianna Davis 2, Haleigh McCarney, Jacana Powell tries; Shian Chatfield 6 goals, Rebecca Trethowan 2 goals) defeated Coonabarabran 0. Cobar 60 (Taylah Good 3, Brianna Watson 2, Kelsey Neve 2, Bridgette Negfeldt, Rhylee Patterson, Sophie Clarke, Kayla Hasson-Wiliams tries; Brianna Watson 8 goals) defeated Gilgandra 0. Competition table Coolah: 36Dunedoo: 32Narromine: 30Baradine: 30Warren: 24Cobar: 22Coonamble: 20Gulgong: 18Coonabarabran: 16Gilgandra: 12 Reserve Grade Gulgong 36 (Tom James 2, Caiden Horton, Ben Hollis, Jack Coupe, Brad Toole tries; Caiden Horton 6 goals) defeated Mendooran 12 (Will Duce 2 tries; Stephen Eyles 2 goals). Coonamble 22 (Earl Greenaway 2, Lewis Ellis, Malakai Haley tries; Mark Jones 3 goals) drew with Baradine 22 (Teigan Daniels 2, Mark Martin 2, Ethan Thirkell tries; Jai Caine 1 goal). Coolah 22 (Sam Wesley 3, Tyson Craggs tries; Hugh Pettett 3 goals) defeated Warren 18 (Alex Sutherland 2, Kayden Griffiths, William Smith tries; Alex Sutherland 1 goal). Narromine 22 (Brad Charlton, Will Kerr, Jamari Clarke, Mitch Rixon tries; Liam Wherritt 3 goals) defeated Coonabarabran 14 (Sonny Bill Walker 2, Les Cain tries; Sonny Bill Walker 1 goal). Binnaway 34 (Ash Widders, Travis Elwell, Cody Whitty, Nathan Ryan, Dane Anastasis, Kevin Nolan tries; Travis Tighe 2 goals, Nathan Budd 1 goal) defeated Cobar 6 (Jayden Paul tries; Zachary Haines 1 goal). Competition ladder Narromine: 12Gulgong: 10Baradine: 9Cobar: 8Binnaway: 8Coonamble: 8Mendooran: 7Coonabarabran: 6Warren: 5Coolah: 5. First Grade Gulgong Bull Terriers 28 (Brad James, Riley Cunningham, Toby O’Leary, Mason Hammond, Caiden Horton tries; Brad James 4 goals) defeated Dunedoo 12 (Rory Madden, Ta Dermott tries; Rory Madden 2 goals) at Dunedoo. Coonamble Bears 64 (Elvy McEwen 4, Mitch Nalder 2, David Jones, Andrew Peacocke, Jye Dixon, Preston Smith, Derrick Robinson tries; Brenton Glover 7 goals, Andrew Peacocke 1 goal) defeated Baradine Magpies 12 (Liam Fernando, John Ruttley tries; Liam Fernando 1 goal, Deian Dowler 1 goal) at Coonamble. Coolah Kangaroos 36 (Jacob Medd 3, Jayden Brown, Casey Burgess, Tyler Lennox, Austin Burgess tries; Dan Lane 4 goals) defeated Warren Bulldogs 12 (Elias Kennedy 2 tries; Elias Kennedy 2 goals) at Coolah. Narromine Jets 23 (Charlie Isedale 2, Corey Cox 2 tries; Corey Cox 3 goals; Kaiden Hill 1 field goal) defeated Coonabarabran Unicorns 16 (Eddie Kuras 2, Dave Sulter tries; Nick Willoughby 2 goals) at Narromine. Cobar Roosters bye. Competition Ladder Coolah 36Coonabarabran 30Narromine 29Gulgong 28Cobar 24Coonamble 24Dunedoo 22Warren 19Baradine 13 Round 13 Saturday 26th July Reserve Grade: Baradine Magpies (3) vs Mendooran Tigers (7) 12:00pm at Baradine Town OvalGulgong Terriers (2) vs Binnaway Bombshells (5) 12:00pm at Billy Dunn OvalCoolah Kangaroos (10) vs Coonamble Bears (6) 12:00pm at Bowen OvalCoonabarabran Unicorns (8) vs Cobar Roosters (4) 12:00pm at No.1 Oval CoonabarabranWarren Bulldogs (9) vs Narromine Jets (1) 12:00pm at Warren Sporting Complex League Tag: Baradine Magpies (4) vs Dunedoo Swanettes (2) 1:15pm at Baradine Town OvalGulgong Terriers (8) vs Gilgandra Panthers (10) 1:15pm at Billy Dunn OvalCoolah Kangaroos (1) vs Coonamble Bears (7) 1:15pm at Bowen OvalCoonabarabran Unicorns (9) vs Cobar Roosters (6) 1:15pm at No.1 Oval CoonabarabranWarren Bulldogs (5) vs Narromine Jets (3) 1:15pm at Warren Sporting Complex 1st Grade: Baradine Magpies (9) vs Dunedoo Swans (7) 2:30pm at Baradine Town OvalCoolah Kangaroos (1) vs Coonamble Bears (6) 2:30pm at Bowen OvalCoonabarabran Unicorns (2) vs Cobar Roosters (5) 2:30pm at No.1 Oval CoonabarabranWarren Bulldogs (8) vs Narromine Jets (3) 2:30pm at Warren Sporting ComplexBye: Gulgong Terriers (4) Check club socials and local media to confirm game times.

Well isn't this exciting! Just a week out from finals and it's a genuine three horse race for the Western Plains Rugby crown in 2025, with no way to split them. The winner of Saturday's clash between Nyngan and Warren was destined to take home the minor premiership in 2025, with Walgett comfortably taking down Gulargambone 78-7 earlier that day. Both sides traded blows all game long as they have all season, but on Saturday Warren pushed that little bit harder. Penalty goals were all the difference for Warren, with both sides crossing over for three tries apiece, and converting two of them. But a third penalty goal to Hagan Size was enough to beat out Nyngan's two penalty goals. A close game that went right down to the wire, but the class of the 2023 premiers Warren was just enough to get the job done. And with Warren's win over Nyngan on Saturday, the two sides along with defending premiers Walgett now all sit with 7 wins and 2 losses on the year. But more interestingly is the actual breakdown of those win-loss records. Each of the top three sides have notched up one win and one loss against eachother this year, with Saturdays result in Warren completely a circle of parity of sorts.  Round 1: Nyngan def Walgett 23-12 Round 3: Warren def Walgett 24-20 Round 4: Nyngan def Warren 20-15 Round 6: Walgett def Nyngan 24-14 Round 8: Walgett def Warren 17-9 Round 9: Warren def Nyngan 28-25Warren's class was on full show on Saturday [IMAGE: Warren Pumas]And as it stands after round 9, Warren now sit atop of the ladder on 35 points, Walgett in second on 34 and Nyngan in third on 33. Barring any crazy upsets in the final week in which the top three are all expected to come away as winners, the ladder should now be mostly unchanged. Nyngan have now lost out in more ways than just Saturdays game. After sitting atop the ladder for eight weeks straight and boasting an undefeated home record they are somehow set to finish in third place behind Warren and Walgett due to the bonus point system that awards teams an extra point for scoring 4 or more tries in a match. Therefore its looking like they will be forced to play Bre-Bourke in the minor semi - albeit at home if that’s any consolation for the Bulls. This leaves Warren and Walgett on yet another collision course come finals. But with the biggest winning margin between any of the three sides sitting at a measly 11 points (Nyngan and Walgett in week 1) your guess for the winner of this years competition is as good as mine. Until then we still have one more round of rugby to go. First up Walgett will take on Coonamble. Always a big match between these rivals, Coonamble will look to get one back against a Walgett team that put on a 68-10 demolishing in Walgett earlier this year. As for Nyngan they head down to Gulargambone. What has the potential to be a bit of a percentage booster for the Bulls, Nyngan won their last meeting 43-0 and will need to put on a similar score line if theyre to give themselves any chance of sneaking into that major semi. Lastly Warren head over to play Bre-Bourke. The most likely of any of the games to result in an upset, Bre-Bourke on their day can hang with the best of them, and you never know what might happen out west on Saturday. Round 9 Western Plains 1st Grade Results: Warren (28) def Nyngan (25)Walgett (78) def Gulargambone (7)Brewarrina-Bourke (39) def Coonamble (26) Ladder following Round 9: Warren: 7 wins, 2 losses, +191, 35 pointsWalgett: 7 wins, 2 losses, + 193, 34 pointsNyngan: 7 wins, 2 losses, +167, 33 pointsBrewarrina-Bourke: 4 wins, 5 losses, -37, 21 pointsCoonamble: 1 win, 8 losses, -250, 7 pointsGulargambone: 1 win, 8 losses, -264, 5 points

Determined to make a success of his return to race riding, 26 year old Nick Hyde set the ball rolling when winning the opening event aboard outsider Proofreader on Saturday at Coonabarabran.Tall for a jockey, Nick found his weight too difficult to control during his initial brief stint race riding and after his sole winner, Cheap Charlie at Nowra in July 2021, he took a lengthy break.With a fresh approach, Nick Hyde is now apprenticed to Gulgong trainer Brett Thompson and Proofreader became his first winner since the return to race riding last month.Responsible for a very good ride, Nick Hyde brought the Thompson trained debut maker Proofreader ($14) from near last with a rails run to win the 900 metres Imperial Hotel Maiden Handicap from Winning Winnie (Nick Heywood, $7.50) and Dendina (Zoe Hunter, $12).Ironically, Winning Winnie is trained by Darren Hyde, the father of Nick Hyde.Brett Thompson later explained the well named Proofreader ( by Press Statement) is owned by Albert Nocera, an optometrist from Bowral whose mother was a proofreader for a newspaper publisher.Completing a memorable day for the Hyde family from Dubbo, the Darren Hyde trained Adelsun(Nick Heywood, $20) overcame the outside barrier to come with a late burst and edge out Mean Girls (Wendy Peel, $8) and the third place dead heaters Billabong Rose (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $$4 favourite) and Hermosa Rosa (Jordan Quince, $9.50) in the 1200 metres Imperial Hotel Super Star Staff Benchmark 58 Handiacap.In possibly the closest finish all season in the central west, a neck margin separated the first 5 placegetters in the 1600 metres Imperial Hotel Class 1 & Maiden Plate.Parked behind the leading pack by Ashleigh Stanley, Gloryess ($6.50) surged along the rails to win by a short half head from Aleishka (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $5.50) which flashed home from last while a nose away third was Wicked Games (Nick Heywood, $8.50) narrowly in front of Joshua and Show Us Ya Texts.“Gloryess needs a strong rider and for that reason I booked Ashleigh Stanley from Bathurst who I considered the right jockey for the horse”, revealed winning trainer Gavin Groth from Gunnedah.Dubbo based apprentice Zoe Hunt and Mudgee trainer David Smith have combined for several winners this season and further success came at Coonabarabran with Getting Tipsy in the 1200 metres Imperial Hotel Maiden Plate.Starting the $2.05 favourite, Getting Tipsy ( from the mare Day Drinking) enjoyed a nice run tracking the leading pair and finished best to account for Miss Heroic (Georgina McDonnell, $4.60) and Barrieanna (Hannah Johnston, $7).The second leg of a double for Brett Thompson was Tropicana’s Cube (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $1.85 to $2 favourite) in the 1600 metres Imperial Hotel Benchmark 50 Handicap while a good ride by apprentice Hannah Johnston saw the Ray Hartley, Tamworth trained Ardonaugh ($3.50) finished strongly on the inside to win the 900 metres Imperial Hotel Gateway To The Warrumbungles Class 3 Handicap.Next for Coonabarabran is the Cup meeting on Sunday 26th October while in the meantime, Macquarie Picnics at Trangie on Saturday and Wellington TAB on Tuesday 29th July.

The Nyngan Tigers will rue missed opportunities outclassed by co-competition leaders Orange CYMS 54-10 at Wade Park. It means they are now teetering on the edge of missing the finals series and need luck and results in other games to go their way.Winger Connor Elwood's first-half storming run down the far right edge showed Nyngan were in the match on 12 minutes but a glut of possession didn't eventuate in further points.Eventually down 24-4 it was going to take something special to come back.But CYMS shut Nyngan out in the second half to win easily. Tigers centre Terrence Ryan did step through the middle to bustle through to score late but it was game gone by that time.This day had everything - a COVID scare forcing a referee to not officiate late and Orange CYMS first grade captain-coach Jack Buchanan became a touch judge in the Under 18s match to replace the sick official while 4 players from Orange helped Nyngan field a team who finished the game with 12 men losing 44-4.There was a bright spot for the Tigers their reserve grade side is finals bound winning 24-12 Mathew Sheather and Keenan Ellwood grabbing doubles in a torrid match. The Tiger's big attack laying the platform. Impressing in the run to season's end.League Tag produced some sparkle from the Tigers albeit losing 24-10 in the second half Nyngan scored 2 tries and look certain for finals football despite defeat.Big guns first grade Dubbo CYMS, Forbes Magpies both had first grade victories.

Coonabarabran Jockey Club secretary Lindsay Hawkins says track changes have made for a strong program tomorrow, Saturday 19 July, with a soft 5 rating.‘’It looks very good out on the track and trainers have praised the work our committee has done on the 1100m and 1600m shutes," Hawkins said."We have re-seeded some of the areas near it and trainers are praising it.’’‘’There's been a lot of racing in the west of late with Warren, Carinda and Nyngan and final fields are very strong despite that with a full field and emergencies in the last race,’’ she said.The Imperial Hotel Superstaff Benchmark Handicap 1200m has attracted that large field. Luckyimwithaimee a 7 year old mare looks for her 6th career win and is ideally placed in barrier 4 and Ashleigh Stanley rides for Narromine trainer Wayne Collison.Mean Girls will be popular with punters winning 2 of her last 4 outings for Gilgandra’s Keiran Hazelton but she will need all her good speed coming from barrier 15. She scored a popular win on Duck Creek Picnic day.Gateway to Warrumbungle race 4 (900m) has apprentice Jessica Brookes riding 4 year old mare Eastern Odyssey and punters have backed the horse. Brookes has won on the horse twice in past 2 of 4 starts and last outing showed good speed to score at Cowra.Mudgee trainer David Smith also with in form apprentice Tilly McCarroll looms as a big threat with strong form and trial.Lindsay Hawkins says she expects a big crowd at Coonabarabran.The gate opens at 12pm and its free to enter so a big meeting and two bands at the Imperial post races.

Veteran referee of 15 years and now secretary of the Castlereagh Rugby League, Bryson Luff says the shortage of match officials in the sport is at crisis point.‘’Work overload and abuse of referees by fans and even players is turning potential match officials off joining the ranks and those who are working games are exhausted," Mr Luff said.''Referees are over the abuse and things have to change - we are at crisis point.''The same situation is happening in the Peter McDonald Premiership, the central west competition where the Nyngan Tigers play.Chairman Narromine’s Bob Walsh said the elite competition had a chronic shortage of match officials.‘’We’re short 6 referees and 12 touch judges and our match officials are forced to work 2 matches a day.’’Reserve Grade games had been called off for this weekend but furious work by the sports administration late Wednesday July 16 may have the matches reinstated but the future of the lead up matches to first grade hang in the balance."This a problem which is not going away,'' Mr Walsh said.Bryson Luff says the job nobody really wants has come about as a result of bad fan behaviour from the sidelines.‘’The situation is critical, dire and has got worse over the years indeed it’s a major problem, some referees have to adjudicate at 2 venues so we are asking fans and players to respect officials.’’He says there is speculation of a ‘walk out’ from referees. ‘’Not a strike but a mental health day off - they are tired of the pressure and continual abuse.’’Announcements are being made on the public address system at matches asking for fans to respect referees and match officials especially over puerile and foul language aimed directly at the men and women officiating.A recent judiciary hearing in the Castlereagh League forced an apology from a player who had sprayed insults at a referee.

Round 11 of the Peter McDonald Premiership has come and gone, and for the Nyngan Tigers it was nothing short of a perfect day out. A nine try thrashing in celebration of First Nations Round at home last Sunday, the Tigers donned special jerseys for their matchup against Parkes coming away as 48-24 victors. A special nod to Tigers teams of old, the 2025 First Nations round jerseys were presented by old boys who gave the team the rev up they needed to get back at Parkes after their loss earlier in the year. The dominant win started as such for the Tigers when Lock Jacob Neill crashed over in the eighth minute, with the conversion by Matty McDougall successful. Further tries to Centre Terrance Ryan and Winger Connor Elwood pushed the score out to 16-0 after the twenty minute mark, and it had all the showings of a proper blood bath. However, Parkes fought themselves back into the game and over the course of an eight minute stretch from the 32nd minute to the 39th minute they would find themselves in the lead. A try in the 32nd minute to Parkes Centre William Taylor would see the Spacemen find their feet, before a double in the space of three minutes to Prop Thomas Williams saw the Parkes boys up 18-16 at halftime.The defensive capitulation from Nyngan wasn’t to last in the second half, and the Tigers came out firing. Connor Elwood added another to his tally early, as did Terrance Ryan to push the lead out to 24 to 18. From there they kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely, tries to Back Rower Jamil Hopoate and Winger Ashley Davies put the game almost out of reach with fifteen to go at 34-18. Spacemen Centre Junior Igila added another with ten to go to bring it back to 34-24, but the Tigers kept the foot on the pedal. Connor Elwood completed his hattrick with five to go, and Fullback Matty McDougall crossed the line on the final play of the day to push the final score out to 48-24. A great day for Nyngan which sees them settle into eighth spot on the Peter McDonald Premiership ladder with four weeks to go. Next week they head down to sunny Orange to take on third placed Orange CYMS.

The annual Outback Challenge has descended upon Western New South Wales yet again. And after the success of last years exhibition game in Lightning Ridge, the challenge is quickly becoming one of the best days on the bush footy calendar. This year was no different, with the NSW Outback side taking on the Hasting's League side in Coonabarabran on Saturday 12 July. The NSW Outback side was made up of the usual suspects: Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, Cobar and Baradine, along with a few players from Wilcannia making the brief seven hour drive over to Coonabarabran to play on Saturday. The Hastings League brought over players from Comboyne, Kendall, and Bowraville on the North Coast for a taste of bush footy. They would end up as overall victors on the day, beating the Outback side by 40-22 in a free flowing affair, showing off the talent that rural and regional areas have. Despite the loss, the game couldn’t have started any better for the Outback NSW outfit.IMAGE: NSWRL A penalty off the kick off led to a score only tackles later when Malakai Haley (Walgett) saw a gap up the middle and charged through from thirty metres out to score. The hot start continued when centre Trent Mason (Walgett) finished off a beautiful grubber kick behind the line from halfback Quinton Kennedy (Walgett) to take the lead out to 10-0. Despite the start, the Outback boys couldn’t keep the ball rolling and the Hastings squad fired off three quick tries before the half was up to lead 16 to 10 at the break. The Outback boys came out with some fire in the second half, managing the first score of the second half through the big prop Tristan Wise (Walgett) who charged over the line bringing four Hastings players with him. Hastings responded almost straight away, scoring a long range team try down the right edge to take back the lead at 22 to 16. Outback made in roads up the field, and looked threatening but as the game wore on, the legs got heavy. The lack of game time in 2025 for a lot of the side was the eventual downfall of the Outback, who over a ten minute period let in three quick tries to blow the score out to 16-40.IMAGE: NSWRL To finish the game however, it would be captain Sam Canty who crashed over late for a consolation try. Commentator Geoff Mann said it best about the Bourke-turned-Baradine footballer. "Big Sam, a wonderful player, who's given great service to the Outback," he said. "Thanks to NSW Rugby League, for doing a spectacular job promoting this event."

Stewards have inspected the Carinda race track for its big annual horse race meeting and club secretary Rebecca McLellan says everything is on target for Cup Day.‘’We have had no rain and the weather is forecast to be good and the nominations are strong.’’Tickets are selling well despite the amount of racing in the area including the huge success of the Duck Creek Picnics at Nyngan last Saturday. 6000 people attended.“They are a lot of meetings in the area at the moment but we are expecting a good turnout,’’ Mrs McLellan said.‘"Fashions on The Fields has top prizes and the bar opens at midday and at the famous Carinda Pub the after racing entertainment continues from 6."Stylish contenders in the Men's Fashions of the Field at the 2024 Carinda Cup. [IMAGE: Coonamble Times]Carinda race club began racing in 1915 and these days the town is best known for rock star David Bowie ‘Lets Dance’ video which was made at the local pub.‘’So entertainer Brad Haling might work a few Bowie numbers on Saturday after the races," said Mrs McLellan said.The club has prepared 6 races the 1400m Carinda Cup features Scone’s Nikki Pollock who is bringing two horses for the main fare including top weight Yototsu a Picnic Cup winner at Brewerrina over 1200 metres plus Hit Song who backs up from Nyngan.Are they still coming? Carinda Cup Day 2024. [IMAGE: Coonamble Times]Five-year-old Hammond Thunder from the Rodney Robb stable resumes off Picnic wins at Bourke and Hillston and should be in contention with his top form on dirt tracks. First race is at 1.15pm and the Cup at 3.35pm.

Quambone Polocrosse Club Held their annual Carnival over the weekend (5th & 6th) at Quambone Race Course with 33 teams (198 Players) along with their families and friends making the trek to play a weekend of fast paced Polocrosse action at all levels.Quambone saw three interstate teams as well as an Under 16’s Development team from the United States who are in Australia to Play at the Narrabri Junior Challenge next weekend.The Interstate teams travelled from Sale & Corio in Victoria along with two teams from Dirranbandi Queensland.It was an action-packed weekend with the tiny club of just eight members managing to pull off another fantastic event.The Club was very grateful for the support of locals who jumped in to help, along with the continued support of the Coonamble shire Council and its maintenance of the grounds.Friday night saw players arrive late into the night to begin play at 8am Saturday morning.The Club offered a gold Coin barbeque and bar into the night which was strongly supported.Saturday brought a day full of strong polocrosse and great sportsmanship across the grades from Sub-Juniors through to well-seasoned adults.The competition ranged from A Grade through to E along with the Junior competitions.All in all, 35 games were played on Saturday alone with each team backing up for Sunday to play their Final games.On Saturday night the small team served up over 176 meals to the hungry players and their families with the help of some lovely volunteer.Local DJ Billy Carroll was onsite to get the party started after the dinner with revelers and players kicking back to unwind and enjoy themselves late into the night.Jack Mills from Warren fends off a Gulgong player during the B Juniors Final.It was a hotly contested weekend all the way through with the rivalry coming to a peak on Sunday with the ten Finals along with social games being played for each grade.The Sub Juniors Final game on Sunday was between Gulgong and the Roos (Mixed team) 7-1 (Sponsored by Coonamble Ag N Vet & Western Rivers Vets).The A Grade Junior Final was a strong fast game with the USA Kids (Global Trotters) on their loaned horses securing the win against Cubbaroo for a fantastic final game 12-6. (Sponsored by Marsh Carney Dubbo)D Grade Open (sponsored by Northwest Vets) was a great match with plenty of skill on show and a bit of the of QLD versus NSW energy, Galloping Gully 2 defeated Dirranbandi 2, score14-3.Both A Grade Competitions were kindly sponsored by Furneys Stockfeeds Dubbo with the two winning teams taking home a bag of feed.The A Mixed Final was between Narrabri & Quirindi with a final score of 18-5 with nothing but skill from both the Women’s Section and the Mens throughout the weekend.The feature game of weekend was the A Grade Final between Quirindi 1 & Dirranbandi, a repeat match from 2023 which saw Quirindi take the win in the final minutes from the Queenslanders, this wasn’t to be repeated.This year Dirranbandi came with fire after four hard-fought 8-minute Chukkas (Quarters).With a few free throws at goal after some hot moments for both sides, Dirranbandi managed to slide into the lead and slowly pull away.At the final bell Dirranbandi came out as victors over Quirindi with a clear win of 13-8.Dirrandandi’s Seb Mcracken was declared man of the match whilst fellow team member, Nick Perkins (Dirranbandi) was awarded the Peter Cookson Memorial Trophy for Best Gentleman Horse & Rider Combination for the weekend.Nick also won this trophy in 2023 when he was last here.Mendooran player Julia Stewart controls her fresh young horse before heading off up field in the A Open Social.The special award for the weekend that is close to the club’s heart is the Jacinta Mallon Memorial Trophy for the Champion Lady Horse & Rider combination.This trophy was awarded to Kyla Street and presented by Martin Mallon."The club would like to say a huge thankyou to anybody who has chipped in to help in any way," said Secretary Katrina Walker."Such a small group put in a magnificent effort with nothing but compliments from those who travelled out to play over the weekend."And a very big thankyou to the Carnival Sponsors who supported the Club."2026 will see Quambone Polocrosse Club ring in 50 YEARS and we have something special in mind."