The Narromine Cricket Club were "bowled over" when they heard they had been named the NSW Club of the Year by state governing body, Cricket NSW. The committee were acknowledged for their efforts in rebuilding the club over the past five years. Vice-President Matt Barrett said the process to reinvigorate the floundering club had been definitely worthwhile. "Five years ago we were having to have locals play for Dubbo teams to get a game,' Mr Barrett said. "Now we have standalone teams who play for Narromine in the Dubbo competition which is great." He said receiving the unexpected Cricket NSW award was due to the support of locals for the Narromine club over the past few years. "The recognition is great for the volunteers and parents that have built the club back up from where it was. It was important for the district to get it up and going again." The revitalised club has seen number soar in both junior and senior divisions. Mr Barrett is in charge of the Blaster Cricket which encourages younger players to become involved. "We have a junior blaster competition for five to seven year olds on Friday nights and the Master Blasters, who are between eight and ten also play then. They are mixed teams of boys and girls. Junior teams play Saturday morning." Mr Barret said a number of young people coming through the junior divisions continue to play cricket at senior level for Narromine. Mr Barrett said the club was unaware they had been nominated by the NSW Western Plains representative, Matt Ellis and were still considering how to celebrate the honour. "We are into footy season now, so it's on the backburner. We might look at a celebration early next season."   

By Colin Hodges.Back in action after a break from racing, the talented Ronald Simpson rode a winning double, Cherry Blue and Gretzky, before a good crowd on Saturday 15 April at Warren.Formerly from Brewarrina, Simpson is now apprenticed to Clint Lundholm and for the Dubbo trainer he won the 1600 metres Welsh Family Class 1 & Maiden Plate on the four year old grey gelding Cherry Blue.Raced by the McMahon family from Tullamore, Cherry Blue ($1.90) from last in the big field sliced through the pack to beat Miandelle (Billy Cray, $8) and Hoorini (Andrew Banks, $14) with Phone Home battling on for fourth after leading by four lengths.Gretzky, the comeback winning ride for Ronald Simpson the previous Saturday at Lightning Ridge, was again well ridden at Warren in the 1200 metres Macquarie Valley Rock And Sand Class 3 Handicap.From back in the field, the Dar Lunn, Dubbo trained Gretzky ($3.80) gained an inside run to beat the leader Destiny’s Bounty (Will Stanley, $1.80 favourite) and One Man Band (Jake Barrett, $6).Sister and brother apprentices, Ashleigh Stanley and Will Stanley, fought out the finish of the 1400 metres Warren Services Benchmark 50 Handicap.Coming from near last in the 12 horse field, the Kylie Kennedy, Narromine trained Fiveash (Ashleigh Stanley, $15) won by a neck from Neidr Dawn (Will Stanley, $2.50 fav.) with Punkzy (Ken Dunbar, $12) in third place.Wayne Collison, the father of Kylie Kennedy, made it a family winning double as the trainer of Luckyimwithaimee in the following race, the 1000 metres Paraway Pastoral Company Benchmark 50 Handicap.Will Stanley was aboard Luckyimwithaimee ($13) which came from fifth on the home turn to score in a close finish from Speudosa (Jake Barrett, $4.40) and Pixies Choice (Shayleigh Ingelse, $6).A last start third at Lightning Ridge was followed by a win for the Brett Thompson, Gulgong trained Outside Edge at Warren in the 1400 metres Haddon Rig Maiden Plate.Outside Edge (Shayleigh Ingelse, $1.90 fav.) set the pace and fought off Kirameki (Wendy Peel, $2.70) by a neck wth four lengths to Here’s Harry (Chelsea Hillier, $11).Trained at Gilgandra by Kieren Hazelton, Cuevas more than recouped the recent purchase price when winning the 1200 metres Macquarie Valley Couriers Maiden Handicap.Under very strong riding by Andrew Banks, Cuevas ($5) held off Dumbarton Castle (Will Stanley, $10) by a long neck with the leader Kubaba (Wendy Peel, $2 fav.) a close third.                       ——————————-Racing next at Narromine on Thursday 20 April and on ANZAC Day at Nyngan.

By Colin HodgesSituated in far north west New South Wales within 70 kilometres of the Queensland border, the famous opal mining town Lightning Ridge attracted a very big crowd on Easter Saturday 2023 to their annual race meeting.Although the $74,000 prizemoney is tempting, a major enticement for owners and trainers to start their horses at the isolated venue are the trophies, opal pendants for the support races and a magnificent opal bracelet for the Cup winner, independently valued at $19,500 and created by Jo Lindsay from Lost Sea Opals.The much sought after opal bracelet now has a home with connections of the Kevin Dixon, Tamworth trained Indian Thunder, winner of the 1200 metres P W Concrete Lightning Ridge Cup.One of the best backed runners at the meeting, the 8 year old gelding Indian Thunder started at $7 and with apprentice Kelsey Lenton in the saddle led the 11 horse field to the home turn.Indian Thunder had over two lengths to spare at the finish from The Defiant One (Shayleigh Ingelse, $12) which ran on well along the inside rail while the 2022 Cup winner Fearless Mila (Ronald Simpson, $5) finished third.Making a welcome return to the winners list after a break from racing was the talented apprentice Ronald Simpson on the Dar Lunn, Dubbo trained Gretzky in the 1200 metres Lost Sea Opals Benchmark 45 Handicap.Reaching the lead over the closing stages, Gretzky ($2.80 favourite) won by a neck from the fast finishing Quick Spin (Will Stanley, $12) with Tycoon Jim (Chelsea Ings, $6) in third place.Scone based apprentice Braith Nock bit the dust when riding a bull the previous night at the Lightning Ridge rodeo then backed up to win the 900 metres Dubbo City & Gilgandra Toyota Class 1 Handicap on the Connie Greig, Dubbo trained Benyatta ( $1.80 fav.).Racing wide, Benyatta led most of the way to beat Grenado (Jacob Golden, $6) and Geesheehan (Will Stanley, $4).Another Dubbo trainer to land a winner was Michael Lunn with Royal Samer (Jake Barrett, $4) which held on to beat the strong finishing Better Than Pearls (Chelsea Ings, $7) and Outside Edge ( James Rogers, $2.30 fav.) in the 1200 metres Lightning Ridge Maiden Plate.Always near the lead the Peter Sinclair, Moree trained Katgully Red (Jacob Golden, $3.20) won the 1000 metres Gingie Gallop Benchmark 58 Handicap by over two lengths from Yes Kurt (Kelsey Lenton, $13) and Foxstorm (Andrew Banks,$5.50).Katgully Red began hanging out badly in the straight and unfortunately suffered a catastrophic injury when crashing through the outside fence after the finish.Apprentice Jacob Golden complained of back pain after the incident and was transported to hospital.Starting a clean sweep by apprentices at the meeting, Shayleigh Ingelse won the opening event, the 900 metres Spider & Tiny Brown Memorial Maiden Plate (900 metres) on the Brett Thompson, Gulgong trained Dysnomia.Hugging the inside rail, Dysnomia ($4.40) led for home and won by almost a length from Orreza (James Rogers, $4) and Castlehyde Jake Barrett, $8).Next races in the western plains is on Saturday 15 April at Warren.

By PUBLICITY OFFICERWith the 2023 Christie and Hood Castlereagh League season well and truly on the horizon and fast approaching, the competition has been dealt a major blow with the Trangie Rams indicating that they will not be fielding any teams this year.A few weeks ago, the Rams gave notice that they would not have a League Tag side this year, as did the Coonabarabran Unicorns, but whilst the Unicorns will be fielding a first-grade side this year after sitting out last year, Trangie have now announced that they will be not taking the field in any grade.Their withdrawal has sent Castlereagh officialdom into a frenzy as they scramble to arrive at a solution for what now becomes a very complex situation in regard to the 2023 competition draw.An earlier Trangie Rams training session. IMAGE: facebookCastlereagh Secretary Bryson Luff explained that it is not simply a matter of having a bye when a club was drawn to play the Rams.“As per the wishes of the clubs we had a 14-round draw in place for our ten clubs. The clubs were randomly drawn into two pools of five, with each club playing the other clubs in their same pool twice, and the clubs from the other pool once,” Luff explained.“Now, with the withdrawal of the Rams, we have a situation that the clubs drawn in the same pool as Trangie will get two byes throughout the year, whilst the clubs in the other pool will only get one bye each. This is hardly an ideal or equitable situation!” he continued.“The Castlereagh Board of Directors will be meeting Monday night (3rd April) to see what, if anything, can be done but at the moment it is all up in the air as far as our draw is concerned with time rapidly running out to come up with a solution with our annual knockout taking place on 15th April.”

It's been a few years since commentator Matt Russell first screamed out "RAMIEN! Jesse Ramien on Debut!" in a round 26 match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Newcastle Knights, but in the years that have followed, Coonamble boy Jesse Ramien has forged an NRL career that many can only dream of.Ramien debuted for Cronulla back in 2017 at the age of 20 and made it known early he was one to watch for the future, scoring a spectacular try early in the second half enroute to a debut win.Fast forward five years to Round 3 of 2023, and Jesse's performance in his 100th match looked eerily similar to his 1st, crossing over for yet another try early in the second half.And looking back 100 games later, Jesse still pinches himself that his boyhood dream came true."It feels unreal," said Jesse. "It was always a dream to play one NRL game, let alone notching up 100 under my belt.""And it's sort of a surreal experience, for myself and the family, and everyone who's been a part of the journey along the way."Jesse started his footballing career learning the game with the Coonamble Bears."I pretty much fell in love with the game from a young age, my old man (Kristern) was the captain and coach of the local team," said Jesse."Ever since I could remember I've been around footy and it's taken me to where I am today.""Everything that I've sort of gotten or done has probably been thanks to rugby league and the opportunities its given me."Jesse and dad Kristern run a quick coaching session with Under 8 year olds in Coonamble in 2019. PHOTO: Coonamble TimesHowever, the journey to the NRL is far from easy."It takes a lot, there's a lot of sacrifice and dedication to the sport that you need to have," said Jesse."In order to be where I am today I had to move away from home at a young age.""I sacrificed spending time with family and friends in order to better myself and make a career out of football professionally."Encouraging youngsters in Coonamble, April 2019. IMAGE: Coonamble TimesFollowing a successful 2018 campaign at the Sharks where he secured the right centre position as his own, Jesse moved up the coast to the Steel City to play for the Newcastle Knights.However, the stint at Newcastle wasn’t to last and in 2020 Jesse headed back to Cronulla where he been playing since, busting tackles and crashing over for tries.His career is also highlighted by three representative games for the Indigenous Australia All-Stars."Some advice is just to work hard, it's always going to beat talent," said Jesse."You see some people that are probably not the most talented people in the world, but they’ve got where they are through dedication and hard work.""I feel like if you're a hard worker and you dedicate yourself to a dream or to an opportunity, then you can pretty much do anything and chase any goal."

“Once that bell rings you’re on your own. It’s just you and the other guy.”Ex-Coonamble locals Ryan Towns and Hayden Stevens found this during their first boxing matches last Saturday 25 March.Now Gold Coast-based, the two took part in an eight week boxing challenge following the move up north at the start of the year.“You train and dedicate yourself for eight weeks and at the end of it you hop in the ring and fight,” said Ryan. “It was really great both mentally and physically, it’s all about building up those two things.”“It was good for me, I didn’t really have anything to do up here so it was good to get out and try it,” said Hayden.Both Ryan and Hayden came away as winners on the day, both by split decision – meaning out of the three judges, two voted in favour and one did not.“It was a bit nerve-wracking,” said Hayden.“I was pretty pumped all day for the fight then when the time came the nerves hit me and walking out there, I was pretty nervous.”“But once I was in the ring, I didn’t really take much notice of the crowd or anything I was focused.”The fight card is drawn at random, and a boxer is paired up with someone who also did the challenge with them.“He was a lot bigger than me I can tell you that,” Hayden joked. “I was like yeah I think I’m gone here. But I didn’t have much choice though did I?”ABOVE: “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done” - Ryan Towns won his first fight by split decision on Saturday and can’t wait to hop back in the ring again.As for Ryan, he was taken aback by how different boxing in a gym was compared to boxing in the ring.“I’d done a lot of sparring leading up and I thought that that was it was going to be just with harder punches,” he said.“But it’s totally different, everything you learn goes straight out the window I reckon, you’re fighting to survive each round when you hop in the ring.”“I thought I was losing the whole time I was in there which is just how it goes I suppose.”The fight ran for three rounds, with each round lasting one minute and thirty seconds although Ryan joked that “they felt like five-minute rounds!”The program is also so much more than just working towards the fight at the end the boys say.“You’re building your fitness up and learning a new skill,” said Hayden.“And not only will you be physically fitter and mentally stronger, but in your day-to-day tasks you’re performing better. At work you feel better dealing with things and you can handle situations better,” said Ryan.“Your mind is just so much clearer which is probably the best benefit from it.”During the challenge, the days were long for both Ryan and Hayden, who barely had a minute to sleep during the eight weeks.“We weren’t finishing work sometimes until 5, then we’d drive 45 minutes to the gym, then do an hour there, and when you get home you’ve only really got time for a shower and a quick feed,” said Ryan.“Then you’re back up at 5 and ready to do it all again.”“We would do six days a week, including Saturday mornings, so a part of me is glad it’s over and I can rest a bit.”Following the challenge, the impact on them both is clear – it was positive in every facet.“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Ryan. “And it’s so surreal when you get in the ring.”“Loved every minute of it,” concluded Hayden. 

AS the opportunities within women’s rugby continue to develop, one of Coonamble’s own is forging a path for herself within the growing game.Making her refereeing debut in the Waratahs and Western Force game on Friday 24 March was Ella Goldsmith, 25 year old daughter of Jamie & Leonie Goldsmith.“I was the AR, or assistant referee for the Friday night game at Allianz but this weekend I’m off to Fiji and I’ll be the one in the middle for the Drua and Rebels game,” said Ella.“Then I’ve got two more after that.”Ella began her refereeing journey back in 2021 following a short stint playing AFL.“AFL just wasn’t really my thing, so I started to get my refereeing levels up in rugby,” said Ella.“I had played rugby but stopped in 2020 to try something new.”“Even with that little break in between when I was playing AFL I was still really involved in rugby, you know coming from Coonamble we all love a bit of rugby.”ABOVE: Ella GoldsmithA path was made available to Ella with the Waratahs development team, and work her way up from gala days to Saturday matches.“The pathways for women’s match officials are huge right now, there’s so many opportunities available, you get to travel the world and meet all these new people.”“For me that’s really welcoming, and I can see a path forward for myself within the game.”“I also find that it’s constantly challenging, you’ll never be able to ref that perfect game so there’s always something to improve on and something to strive for.”What started out as trying something new has lit a fire in Ella to push to be the best referee she can be.“I started off doing it for fun and to challenge myself, however, I think I’m really excited that I’ve been given some great opportunities to further develop my skills and challenge myself further like being able to referee in the Super W,” said Ella.“You don’t have to want to ref at the next World Cup you can just be content with refereeing your local fixture every Saturday.”“But for me, I’m constantly striving to challenge myself and take those opportunities.”As for her refereeing style, she says “It’s a tricky question.”“Coming from a playing perspective I have a good understanding of the game.”“I don’t know if I have a hard set-in-stone style, but I watch so many other referees and I try to take some things that they do well and put it to practice.”“Everyone referees very differently, I like to think I’m a good listener but can also be a strong communicator, you have to have both qualities to take charge of a game.”And despite such a rapid rise to the premier grade of women’s rugby in Australia, Ella says the transition is going well.“I’m still getting used to things like broadcast and wearing the communication vests - you get broadcasters listening to you and coaches listening to you as well so that’s always in the back of your head.”“But for me when I’m actually in the game, I’m in it, relaxed and ready to go.”“I like to referee your everyday Saturday game just like I’d referee in the super W.”Like many in her position, Ella has taken inspiration from the trailblazing Amy Perrett.“She’s my coach and she was my main inspiration,” said Ella.“I’m sure if you ask any other female match officials, they’ll probably say the same.”“She’s the only female that’s refereed a Super Rugby game in the middle, and she’s been instrumental in the growth of the game and bring more females into the game.”You can watch Ella take centre stage this weekend on Saturday 1 April, when she referees the Super W match between the Fijian Drua and Melbourne Rebels at 12:05 pm.

By COLIN HODGESYoung gun trainers Clint Lundholm and Brett Robb are off to Royal Randwick in April for a shot at the $500,000 prizemoney on offer for the Newhaven Park Country Championship after Listen To The Band and Sizzle Minizzle qualified for the Final, before a big crowd on Sunday at Coonamble.Both trainers are based at Dubbo, with Lundholm being reared at Coonamble and Robb formerly from Nyngan.The Lundholm trained Listen To The Band is building a remarkable record winning, 5 of the 6 starts since an injury enforced 2 year absence from the racetrack.Despite now being an 8 year old, Listen To The Band has only raced 9 times and is improving with every run while the Robb trained Sizzle Minizzle is also lightly raced and appears an outstanding prospect.In the $150,000 Newhaven Park Western Racing Association Country Championships Qualifier over 1400 metres, Listen To The Band began quickly from a wide barrier and took the early lead from Boom Boom Basil, Amulet Street and Ferus.Challenged in the straight, Listen To The Band (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $6.50) fought on gamely to win by a neck from Sizzle Minizzle (Brooke Stower, $10) with the third, fourth and fifth placegetters, Smooth Esprit (Ben Looker, $21) , Hit The Rim (Serg Lisnyy) and Watch Me Rumble (Ashley Morgan) all being trained by Clint Lundholm.Jake Pracey-Holmes is riding in sensational form and he earlier combined with Clint Lundholm for an all the way with Avalicious ($2.20 favourite) from River Rocket (Braith Nock, $6) and Boho Chick (Grant Buckley, $7) in the 1400 metres Inland Petroleum Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap.Now a successful trainer at Wyong, Damien Lane began his career at Coonamble and he was back home for the day to win the 1100 metres Wellington Boot Prelude-2yo Handicap with Sparkingly.Given a nice run behind the leader, Sparkingly (Grant Buckley, $3.80) raced clear to win by almost two lengths from Chandon Star (Clayton Gallagher, $17) and Devine Chops, $1.55 favourite).Sparkingly is now exempt from the ballot for the $200,000 Wellington Boot on March 26, a race the popular Damien Lane won in 2021 with Sonnet Star.Wrapping up a great days racing at Coonamble, the Brett Robb trained D’Arpano (Jake Barrett, $5.50) tracked the leaders then finished best to beat Hiraishin (Chelsea Hillier, $3.20 favourite) and In The Road (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $11) in the 1100 metres QUBE Agri Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap.

By GREG PRICHARDBoom Boom Basil has had his problems and can take a lot of work to get right for races, but Dubbo trainer Brett Robb knows it’s worth the effort with the horse heading towards the $150,000 Newhaven Park WRA Country Championships Qualifier at Coonamble on Sunday 12 March.“He’s our top seed for the race,” Robb said. “There are plenty of good pointers with him.“He’s won a TAB Highway in town and he’s finished second in a Highway. This will be his first try over 1400 metres, but the way he finished off at his last start (over 1312m) I think he’ll definitely get the distance. He’s a good, tough horse.”That most recent run - at Dubbo on February 15 – was in a Country Championships Preview Class 4 Handicap and Boom Boom Basil battled out the finish with the Clint Lundholm-trained pair Listen To The Band (first) and Amulet Street (third).Listen To The Band and Amulet Street will also be among the leading contenders at Coonamble, so the form was strong.“Boom Boom Basil is a hard horse to keep sound,” Robb said. “I race him and bring him home and patch him up and give him a good space between runs and he’s the type of horse that races better that way.“We’ve taken it real slow with him this time in, with the Country Championships in mind. He’s had just the two runs ahead of the qualifier.”Robb is also aiming Sizzle Minizzle and Billiethefillie at the qualifier. The trainer won last year’s WRA qualifier with Great Buy, which went on to finish 11th in the final at Randwick.“When we won with Great Buy I didn’t know how to take it at first,” he said.“We hadn’t been down at Dubbo all that long after moving from Nyngan and when we won the Picnic Championship a few months earlier that was a big enough thrill for me. But winning the qualifier was a different ball-game. Definitely a big thrill - they’re hard races to win.”Robb said the move from further out west at Nyngan to Dubbo had proved great for his career.“I made the move to Dubbo for more opportunities,” he said. “Covid stopped all the picnics and non-TAB meetings, which we used to follow around a lot when we were at Nyngan.“I’d been thinking about giving it away actually. It was getting a little bit hard and I was doing too many miles and if I wasn’t going to Dubbo every weekend or during the week I was going through it.“David Ringland is a very successful businessman and since I’ve started training he’s always had one or two horses with me and he’s helped me out a lot in Dubbo. He owns the house and stable complex that I train out of.“We’ve got 25 boxes here at the stables and 14 boxes out at the farm and they’re all full, so if we got offered a horse at the moment I’d nearly have to tie him up to a tree.“I think back now to when I was going to throw the towel in, when I was still out at Nyngan, and I’m really glad I didn’t. We’ve had a lot of fun and a lot of success, with hopefully plenty more to come, so I’m glad we kept going.“I’ve been around racehorses all my life. I think when you get the racing bug you can’t get rid of it.”

By COLIN HODGESDominant on the Picnic Racing circuit over recent seasons, Leandro Ribeiro was being compared to some of the top jockeys of the past after winning 5 of the 6 races yesterday, Saturday 4 March, at Tottenham.His quest to ride every winner on the program was thwarted when his mount was beaten only by a long neck in another race.Dubbo trainer Connie Greig who has successfully combined many times with Ribeiro, supplied three of his winners including Inzaghi in the 1400 metres Robinson Grain Tottenham Picnic Cup.Sons Of Bourke (Emily Waters, $2 favourite) led by three lengths approaching the home turn but was overhauled and beaten a half length by Inzaghi ($3.20) with Get Up Alby (Breanna Bourke, $4) finishing third.Leandro Ribeiro and Connie Greig gave notice of things to come when Yorker ($2.60 to $2 favourite) led throughout to beat Mr Pointer (Kate Petersen, $2.20) and Princess Factor (Emily Waters, $3) in the opening event, the 800 metres Michael Logan Memorial Class 3 Trophy Handicap.Connie Greig picked up a $500 bonus from sponsor Goodwin, Stevenson Insurance for a trainer with 3 winners on the day, when Pahang (Leandro Ribeiro, $5.50) after tracking the leaders won the 1200 metres Fiveways Legal Class 2 Trophy Handicap from the strong finishing Hammoon Sweetheart (Breanna Bourke, $2.20 fav.) and Manadria (Ricky Blewitt, $8).The group of owners from Condobolin and Trundle were celebrating when the Rodney Robb, Nyngan trained Sindagar (Leandro Ribeiro, $2 to $1.70 fav.) wore down stablemate Saint Olga (Breanna Bourke, $8) to score by a half length with Ready To Skate (Ricky Blewitt, $3) running on well for third in the 1000 metres.Sindagar's local connections collected the Tottenham Hotel Maiden Plate. IMAGE: Tottenham Picnic Race Club facebook.Coop’s ($1.70 fav.) from the Clint Lundholm stable at Dubbo, became the fifth winner for the Sydney based, Brazilian born Leandro Ribeiro when finishing best to win the 1400 metres Local Businesses Class B Handicap from Electric Daisy (Ashley Boyd, $3) and Chloebella Rose (Tamsin Gough, $10).Emily Waters prevented a clean sweep by Leandro Ribeiro when she led all the way on the Wayne Brown owned and Cassandra Stummer, Muswellbrook trained, Addictions which humped $72 kg to win the 1000 metres Carter, Lindsay,Weber-Hutcheon & Pearce Open Trophy Handicap.Billy Bent Ear (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.20) had a good run and challenged strongly in the straight but was beaten by a long neck, with Everyone (Breanna Bourke, $6) in third place.Tottenham racecourse was, as usual, presented in outstanding order and the meeting attracted a big crowd.Crowds flocked to the 2023 Tottenham Picnic Races. PHOTO: A BarrettNext upFeaturing at the Coonamble meeting on Sunday 12 March is the $150,000 Newhaven Park-Western Racing Association Country Championship Qualifier for the $500,000 Final at Royal Randwick in April.

Brewarrina could have been mistaken for Bondi Beach last Saturday with the sun, sand, and plenty of fun. The Brewarrina RSL hosted its very first Bush Volleyball competition. Twelve teams entered with the majority coming from Brewarrina, but teams also travelled from Bourke and Goodooga. The fast-paced action started at 10am with two games going at the same time to get ahead of the heat. It was a knockout style competition with the the ‘Golden Strikers’ and 'The Little Sooks’ spiking, blocking and ace-ing their way into the finals. It was a close game with the ‘Golden Strikers’ taking the win. They were presented with a medal and a not-too-shabby $2000 in prize money.  “We put the Volleyball competition on due to lack of events in the town, to have something different going on," said Stephen Harding the General Manager of the RSL Club. "Our staff thought of the idea.” Looking set to distract the opposition at the Brewarrina Bush Volleyball.“A lot went into the planning and preparation since this was a “first time” event. We reached out to the shire for the supply of the sand and gazebos. Everything else like the setup of the courts, decorations, advertising, rules, prizes, equipment, promo items, etc. we did ourselves.”   “This was our first attempt at anything like this at Bre RSL and just like everything you do for the first time there is always room for improvement so we have taken it all on board and will aim for a bigger and better Bush Volleyball comp next year," Mr Harding said. “We think the day went really well and we hope to repeat this event in the future. We were also happy to see that three teams from Bourke made the effort to come over to Bre to join this competition. "It was our first time doing it and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the town and our little helpers on the day. We would like to thank everyone for that.”  

Coonabarabran's young lawn bowl superstar Sam Bowman (16), has been selected in the 2023 Bowls New South Wales Junior Representative and Development squad. This is not Sam's first rodeo in his bowls career, having competed since the age of nine."Lawn bowls plays a huge part in my family. My older brother, father and grandfather have all played bowls," he said."I first got into the sport after two volunteers at the Coonabarabran Bowling Club started running junior bowls drill sessions and I fell in love with the sport from there. My pop was a big bowler at the time as well, so I always watched him play.". Sam is currently a member of one the largest competitive zones in NSW, the Zone 4 Bowling Association. Zone 4 includes towns ranging from Coonabarabran, as far East as Lithgow, to as far south as Cowra and as west as Bourke and Cobar."I love taking part in competitions. You get to travel to so many places. Our zone is just one of seven other zones across NSW, so you get to meet so many new people and travel to a bunch of new places. Winning or losing, it is all a great experience". Sam says he was scouted for the 2023 Bowls NSW Junior squad at one of the main bowls competitions held closer to home."Selectors travel to most competitions , and the one held in Dubbo is one of the main competitions, where all zones go against each other. My team, Zone 4, won gold for the second year in a row."We went against over 120 competitors and came out on top. It was a huge achievement for myself because I hadn't made the zone team for a few years, and the first year I have been selected we won," he said.ABOVE: Sam Bowman in action at the Club Bowls playing in Zone Championships. PHOTO: Supplied. Being selected in the NSW Junior team is another accolade added to Sam's already huge list, says Sam's mother Katrina Bowman."Sam's long list of achievements are a credit to his own hard work and dedication to the sport," Mrs Bowman said."He is well- known as an amazing skip, which means he is the last player to bowl, he directs his team as to what the game plan is and how to play shots with the best chance of producing a score for the team. It is a very important job."Sam's Zone 4 team won a gold medal at the 2022 Zone Championships held in Dubbo."He has also been recognised as the most successful skip at the 2022 NSW Combined High Schools Bowls State Championships against 32 other skips and was awarded 'Most Valuable Player' for the North West Schools Sports Association, which enabled him to gain selection into the Combined High Schools squad to play in Melbourne at the National School's Championships where his team won another gold medal. ABOVE: Sam Bowman with his MVP and 'Most Successful Skip' medals at the Combined High Schools Lawn Bowls Championships in Penrith. PHOTO: Supplied. Mrs Bowman believes Sam's achievements all come down to his dedication to bowls."We are very proud of Sam. He puts in a lot of hard work and competes wonderfully. He has a great nature for the sport, he is very calm and takes it all in his strive."He has made so many life-long friends from the sport. It is a very competitive and skilful sport, with less injuries," she said. From this squad, the Junior Committee will select players to represent the NSW Junior Blues later in the year. Sam will take part in several competitions including the travelling to Queensland to compete in a super series against a Queensland team.Between now and August, Sam is going to continue doing what he does best."I currently train about twice a week at the Coonabarabran Bowling Club to prepare for more competitions throughout the year. I also have to complete a monthly report as well as travel to Sydney to take part in more training and drills with the NSW Junior Bowls Squad. I am super excited to see what 2023 brings". The Western Plains App wishes Sam the best of luck!

Representatives from all clubs in Western Plains Rugby Union - Brewarrina/Bourke, Cobar, Gular, Warren, Walgett, Coonamble and Nyngan - gathered at the Nevertire Hotel last Saturday for the zone’s Annual General Meeting. There were so many squeezed around the table at the pre-season meeting that former president Greg Whiteley commented, “this is the most people we’ve had at an AGM for many years.” Dubbo-based NSW Rugby development officers Angus McDonald and Luke Mack were also in attendance as well as veteran referee Neil Newton (Walgett). Newly elected office bearers: President Tom Cullen (Coonamble), Vice Presidents Troy Yeomans (Walgett) and Matthew Slack-Smith (Brewarrina), co-Secretaries Ange Hanigan (Coonamble) and Vivian Slacksmith (Brewarrina), Treasurer Brent Barwick (Warren), Judiciary Sophie Holmes (Nyngan), Ben Jenkins (Gular) and Milton Quigley (Warren). Angus McDonald delivered a presentation describing the future of rugby in the zone, acknowledging that strength and numbers would only come from continuing junior development. “If you take a snapshot of all zones, from player numbers to volunteer support, the current trends are not good for NSW Rugby; it needs to put more money into development – and it has,” Mr McDonald said. Western Plains is all too familiar with the challenge of maintaining numbers, with the Brewarrina and Bourke clubs forced to merge in 2021 due to a lack of players. As Mr McDonald explained, money from the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation and Paul Ramsay Foundation has contributed to programs in primary and high schools across the western area. The Positive Rugby Foundation was formed in 2017 as the official charity and social impact program of NSW Rugby while the Paul Ramsay Foundation is one of the biggest philanthropic foundations in Australia. “In 2022 Western Plains was the most resourced zone in NSW with 4.5 full time staff in Dubbo. We had 200 in-school participants and 387 kids playing rugby regularly, with 35 gala days across the zone.” Sydney has three development officers and this year NSW Western Development has 10 working across the zone, with Mr McDonald saying “The future will be a west to east progression for players”.Former Western Plains Zone President Greg Whiteley (centre) with NSW Rugby Development Officers Luke Mack and Gus McDonald. In 2022/2023 NSWRU partnered with Department of Regional Youth to deliver support to run 90 holiday camps, investing over $800,000 throughout Central West, Central North and Western Plains. “Our aim is to have 1500 registered juniors in Western Plains this year and 500 school players. All this requires financial commitment from clubs in the zone, with $50,000 asked for as seed funding. “If we don’t need that money, we won’t use it but we have to have a buffer. Every dollar raised in Western Plains will stay in Western Plains.” Neil Newton spoke about the refereeing situation across the zone, emphasising there aren’t enough match officials or referees. “Coaches should be accredited to referee but that is not required currently for the ladies’ games,” said Mr Newton. “We do need consistency in the refereeing rules for the girls’ games though.” Mr McDonald acknowledged this area would also be worked on in the development space.“We are working with Regional NSW and creating chances regarding an employment program for high school student doing a Cert 3 in Sports Coaching,” he said. “From here the students will be able to provide coaching support for juniors, match official support and game administration support while being employed by NSWRU.”"This should help with transition into clubs while also helping to support those clubs. NSWRU and its partners will also be investing a large amount into the schools in western NSW through the Tackle Life Program.”To tackle or not to tackle - that was the question for Western Plains women's rugby. Another issue up for discussion was the development of the women's game across the zone. This year will be the third year of the Touch Sevens competition, with a number of girls now looking to progress into tackle rugby. Club representatives agreed not all women wanted to play tackle but the committee resolved to have a number of pre-season gala days with the view to progression into a tackle competition in 2024 for those interested. Western Plains will field a team for the NSW Country Championships in Tamworth on the June long weekend with coaching from Charlie Friend (Walgett), Rory Finlayson (Brewarrina) and Blair Hooper (Warren), and John Azar (Warren) as strapper. The first round of the Western Plains Rugby Union 2023 season commences Saturday 29 April, with the draw to be finalised in coming days.

CHAMPIONS! Gilgandra Cricket Association has come away with the Country Plate Championship after a dominant bowling display against Griffith, winning by 7 wickets at Homebush on Sunday 19 February. And for the first Country Plate Final since 2017 this year's final certainly didn’t disappoint. This year's Gilgandra representative squad consisted of players from five of the eight sides of the Gilgandra cricket competition, including Town Services, Breelong, USC/Marthaguy, Baradine, and Coonabarabran. As the sun rose on the Cricket Central Oval in Homebush, anyone within eyeshot knew it was a perfect day for cricket - clear skies, a 32-degree peak and perfectly mown grass. Gilgandra won the toss and elected to bowl, backing their strong bowling attack on a green wicket that looked to suit them if some reverse swing presented itself later on in the innings. Gilgandra got off to a blistering start with three straight maidens from the opening pair of Harry Willoughby and Jack Irving, building early pressure early on the opening batsmen. They wouldn’t have to wait long for the pressure to get to Griffith either, with Tim Rand stumped in the fourth over by wicketkeeper Matt Everett.ABOVE: Griffith found themselves down 7-37 after a blistering start from Gilgandra's opening bowlers, Harry Willoughby and Jack Irving. Gilgandra didn’t let up after their first wicket, keeping the ball at a good line and length and never letting the batsmen get settled at the crease. By the end of the fifteenth over Griffith was sitting at 7 wickets down for just 32 runs - well and truly in dire straits. Not one of the top-order batsmen had made any more than 12 runs, with the top six combining for just 22 all up. Gilgandra did much of the same with the tail end, ripping through with ease. Griffith's innings ended after just 25.3 overs, all out for 68. Championship innings With just 68 runs to chase you could argue Gilgandra could've been quietly confident when they stepped out to the middle to bat. But like all season, they played every ball on its merits and understood how quickly the tides can turn in a game of cricket. The opening pair, Matt Everett and Ash Hazelton provided some early stability and stuck out the new ball. Griffith showed some fight early, dismissing the dangerman Matt Everett who was caught behind playing an errant block on a ball that was short of a length and drifting outside the off stump. The very next ball Liam Zell was dismissed for a golden duck after he mistimed a shot off the pads to the leg side and was caught plumb LBW. Any fire that Giffith had was quickly extinguished when James Glasson walked out to the middle to steady Gilgandra. Glasson and Hazelton kept the scoreboard ticking away for a few more overs with some quality running and a few boundaries mixed in when the bad ball presented itself. Ash was dismissed later on in the thirteenth over, but by that point the game was all but sealed, leaving Glasson and new batsmen Nick Willoughby to chase down the remaining thirteen runs. By the seventeenth over the score was tied at 68 runs a piece, leaving Glasson to finish off the Griffith four balls later with a classy backfoot cut between cover and point to secure the winning runs. ABOVE: The match was held at the new 'Cricket Central' oval in Homebush, Sydney. Photo Credit: Cricket NSW First time Champions Man of the match went to Matt Everett for his strong performance with the gloves, picking up three leg-side stumpings on the day. Other notable performances included Harry Willoughby's bowling figures of 3-8 after eight overs, an astounding effort on an unfamiliar wicket, and Jack Irving who backed up Harry at the other end with figures of 3-22 as well. Gilgandra cricket club secretary Matt Zell couldn't speak any higher of the performance on Sunday. "It was a really fitting end to the season for us, we bowled really well early on putting enormous pressure on them," said Mr Zell. "We've had the same side for the past four games, they're a great mix of both young and experienced guys, and all of them showed that they were really committed to the side." Gilgandra have been dominant all season going undefeated, but for Matt, the stand-out performance had to be the semi-final against a strong Cessnock side. "Our biggest challenge was that game against Cessnock, but even then they played so well," said Mr Zell. "Matt Everett got a century in that game and we totalled a score of 231 and lasted the whole fifty overs." "And then we backed that up, bowling them out for 188 with a string of ducks to end their innings." This was the first time Gilgandra has won the Country Shield, and only the second time a team from north-west NSW has won as well - previous winners include Gerringong, The Rail, Upper Hunter, Holbrook, Cobar, Highlands, Temora, Murray Valley, Goulburn, Robertson-Burrawang, Cootamundra, and Bowral. The Chair of Country Cricket, Paul Marjoribanks is excited about the return of the Country Shield after such a long hiatus. "It's great to have the Country Plate back again," Mr Marjoribanks said. “It is a great opportunity for local cricketers to proudly represent their hometowns, particularly with the final being the first Country Cricket competition match to be played at the superb new facilities of Cricket NSW – Cricket Central Oval.” Gilgandra now has two pieces of silverware this season, with the Country Plate along with the Western Zone Plate after they defeated Mudgee earlier this year. They now go on to play Cobar in the Brewery Shield Grand Final, where they hope to expand the silverware collection to three this season. The line-up for this year's Country Plate final: Ash Hazelton (captain): Town ServicesMatt Everett (vice-captain): BreelongJames Glasson: USC/MarthaguyBrandon Hammond: Town ServicesBen Hjort: BaradineJack Irving: USC/MarthaguyKenny Johnson: BreelongJaylem Peters: Town ServicesPeter Peters: Town ServicesCameron Whitall: CoonabarabranHarry Willoughby: CoonabarabranNick Willoughby: CoonabarabranLiam Zell: Breelong

Before Sam Barton moved to town, there had been no basketball league in Cobar for at least 10 years, there is now a thriving competition. Sam, a self-confessed basketball maniac from Wollongong, started his teaching career at Cobar High School at the beginning of 2021, teaching science, alongside his wife Rebecca Gray. As well as kicking off his career, Sam has been key to reviving basketball in the town. When asked how he and his wife came to teach at Cobar, Sam told the Western Plains App "It was a combination of things, my wife and I we met and started dating/working in difference science fields in the city and we wanted a different pace and lifestyle. We both wanted to pursue a career that allowed us to do that, teaching was on both of our radars". "A year into doing that, I was looking at the job ads for teachers, we were thinking it would be quite difficult to get a job in the same faculty in the same school and then I found an ad for multiple Science Teachers for Cobar High School," he said."So I rang the principal, told him what we were thinking and wanting to do."We were fortunate that Cobar had lost its Science teachers so we were both able to get a job and came out here, started teaching, even before we graduated", Mr Barton said. "When I arrived in Cobar in 2021, there was no basketball competition, so I decided to start running a really simple basketball comp out of the school hall and it kind of just grew from there, to the 60-70 kids and adults that we have today.".  Cobar Bush Basketball League in action at The Youthie. Image: S. Barton Sam says the League "initially started with whoever showed up, and it grew from there and the high school kids grew from there and were nutty about it.""The main difficulty at the start, because Cobar is a mining town, is one week there was lots of volunteers and then the next week they would be on night shift."As time went on we got a few more volunteers, so in the last 12 months since the Youth Centre has been reopened we have a Under 8's and 8-12 years, girls and boys," he said. Local mum Louise McKervey, told the Western Plains App that she started helping with Cobar Bush Basketball League to show her love for the sport. "I missed playing and wanted my kids to have the chance to play. We have never had a comp in town during the nine years I’ve lived here," she said.The Cobar Youthie has seen interest in basketball soar. IMAGE: Cobar Youth & Community Centre facebook Mrs McKervey and her children helped attract some of the younger children to the league."A few came to start with, then word of mouth spread and we had four full teams with more kids turning up hoping for a place within a month."We also have a good group of volunteers for the juniors, so each team has their own coach and the teens have started stepping up to referee. It is such a great thing for Cobar", Louise said. "The Ladies competition is a bit more informal, there are about 12 or 15 ladies and teenage girls, who play on the court next to the kids on Wednesdays. "The men and teenage boys competition has been moved to Fridays, when there are more 18 to 25 year-olds available and looking for something to do. So we're keen to set up a fun night, with a BBQ", Mr Barton said. Creating the Cobar Bush Basketball League has allowed Sam Barton and his wife get to know their new home. "Basketball helps us to integrate into the community, get to know the families and it's been fantastic. We are really enjoying the lifestyle in Cobar", Sam said.

CASTLEREAGH Cougars held their annual presentation at the Coonamble Bowling Club on Saturday 11 February to cap off the 2022 Women’s Rugby League season which began in September and finished in late November. Since their formation in 2018, the Cougars have welcomed over 100 female footballers to the club across five grades from 12s, 14s, 16s, 18s and Opens (18+).Cougars players are from all over the central and far west, with players travelling for training and games from Coonabarabran, Gilgandra, Coonamble, Cobar, Baradine, Dunedoo, Gulgong, Coolah, Brewarrina, Bourke, Cobar, Warren, Trangie, Narromine, Walgett and Lightning Ridge. “Roughly around sixty people attended the presentation day," said Castlereagh Cougars committee member Samantha Turnbull. "It went really well, with many players being well recognised from their efforts throughout the 2022 season. It was a quick and easy presentation day to finalise the end of what was a great women’s rugby league season.”  According to Ms Turnbull there were many highlights with the Cougars competing strongly against more highly populated areas and pathways beginning to open up for players from around the west to take their rugby league further than has previously been possible. “We have had a very successful season this year, considering we played two competitions within one year. We had three teams make the semi finals, including the Under 12s, Under 18s and the Opens,” Miss Turnbull said. “We have also developed some very talented girls that have been scouted in various teams including Adda Craig (Coonamble) in the Under 16s who has been selected for the Rooster Development Squad and made the WWRL Lisa Fiaola Cup Representative team. "Ashanti Pennell (Baradine) in the Under 18s was successful in gaining selection to the West Tigers Tarsha Gale team. "Missy Karaitana (Gilgandra) in the Under 16s was successful in gaining selection to the Canberra Raiders Tarsha Gale Team. "Tori Canham (Coonamble), Madison Masman (Baradine), Hayley Andrews (Baradine) and Kayla Hasson (Nyngan) were all selected from the Opens team to play in the Western Rams Women’s Representative team,” she said. ABOVE: Under 18s Castlereagh Cougars players. L-R- Olivia Milsom, Shakaye Walker and Alirah Ann. PHOTO: Supplied. Award recipients from the Castlereagh Cougars Presentation Day included:Under 12sThe Under 12s team was coached by Poi Britles. Best & Fairest - Destiny Wright (Coonamble); Players Player - Elara Jenner (Coonabarabran); Best Back- Sophie Johnson (Cobar); Best Forward- Sienna Milsom (Coonabarabran); Coaches Award- Claire Blattman (Coonamble).Under 14sThe Under 14s team was coached by Steve Burgess. Best & Fairest- Hannah Sando (Mendooran); Players Player- Savannah Stewart (Coonabarabran); Best Forward- Zoe Wark (Coonabarabran); Best Back- Britney Andrews (Coonabarabran); Coaches Award- Marlea Moss (Narromine) & Remy Gleeson (Trangie).Under 16sThe Under 16s team was coached by Josh Forgione. Players Player, Best & Fairest & Best Forward- Adda Craig (Coonamble); Best Back- Charlotte Thompson (Coonabarabran); Coaches Award- Anthea Karaves (Coonabarabran); Most Improved- Abby Thompson (Baradine) & Keisha Rusten (Coolah).Under 18sThe Under 18s team was coached by Punchy Milsom.Best & Fairest- Hallie Hogden (Dunedoo); Players Player- Shakaye Walker (Coonamble); Best Back/ Best Forward- Amarlee Vallette (Coonabarabran); Coaches Award- Rani Diggs (Gilgandra).OpensThe Opens team was coached by Channy Burgess.Best & Fairest- Madison Masman (Baradine); Players Player- Georgie Lane (Dunedoo) and Maria Nagy (Baradine); Best Forward- Hayley Andrews (Baradine); Best Back- Tori Canham (Coonamble); Coaches Award- Mikaela Cullen (Coonamble)

The Condobolin Picnic Races, which were scheduled to take place this Saturday 18 February, have been transferred and will now be conducted at Bathurst racecourse.  The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has forecast the temperature to reach 40 degrees in Condobolin on Saturday, prompting the decision to transfer the race meeting to Bathurst where the forecast is for lower temperatures. For the hardworking committee of the Condobolin Picnic Races, this has been a heartbreaking decision to make.  “We are so disappointed,” said Secretary Joy Gibson.  Fortunately, for the trainers and jockeys, a race event at the Bathurst racecourse will ensure they do not miss out.  “Anyone who wants to go down to Bathurst to support the jockeys is more than welcome to,” said Mrs Gibson.  Entry is $10 at the gate in Bathurst on Saturday. While a race meet in Condobolin will be postponed until next year, the equally-as-anticipated Calcutta event is still set to go ahead tonight, Friday February 17.  “We’ve picked a race in Sydney -  the Parramatta Cup - to do the Calcutta on and we’ve still got Tammy Buswell entertaining and there will be food and drinks available to purchase,” said Mrs Gibson.  While the decision has been a disappointing one to make, Mrs Gibson says the committee are looking down the track.  “Hopefully it won’t be as hot next year and we might have a few hot weather plans in place!” She said. Condobolin’s annual Calcutta event will be held from 6:30pm tonight at the race track where free entry, food, live music and lucky door prizes will set the mood for a great night out.  For any race-goers who have pre-purchased tickets to Saturday’s event, Mrs Gibson confirmed that they will be refunded in full next week.    

Holly Campbell spent much of her youth running around her parents 13,000 acre property at Warren. Last week she convincingly took out the NSW Open Women’s 5000metre championships in 16 minutes 53 seconds from an outstanding field of runners. In October 2022, Holly also snared the 3000m NSW title giving her the NSW 3000/5000m double in less than six months. Over the last seven years Holly has shown glimpses of brilliance, but injury has plagued her at times, giving her, and her coach Jeremy Roff, a lot to work around. Her tenacity has won through and Holly continues to notch up success after success, including sometimes stepping outside her lane. Despite 1500m being her speciality, Holly surprised athletic watchers when she mixed it with accomplished 10-kilometre specialists and qualified for selection in the Australian team for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships held in Bathurst this month.Photo courtesy Athletics NSW Living 60 kilometres from Warren the Campbell kids (Holly, Paige, Georgia and Lexie) attended ‘school of the air’ via Dubbo School of Distance education with the help of mum Alison and dad Richard. Learning was by radio and then satellite which meant little face to face time with other kids. Every so often the schools would get together and it was here that Holly found her feet. “I started running in primary school at the Western region small-schools athletics carnival”, said Holly. “It was one of the highlights of the year.” It wasn’t until Holly headed to Sydney for boarding school that her running journey really began. “When I moved from the family farm to Sydney for High School, I had the opportunity to try a lot of different sports but seemed to gravitate towards running,” said Holly. High School provided Holly with many opportunities to hit the track which saw her stack up medals, attend National championships and selection for the State Cross Country Team in her last year of school. “After I finished high school, I started to do much more structured training and improved quickly. I was lucky enough to place second in the Zatopek under-20 3000metre race and not long after I ran a PB of 4.15 for 1500 metres,” she said. “The next few years were very difficult with injuries, but I started to race more consistently again in 2020.”Holly tackles the 2018 Novice XC Championships. Photo courtesy of Sydney University Athletics Club Holly then set her sights on the World Cross Country, after hearing it was to be hosted by Australia and with her coach set to work in earnest. Despite being uncertain about the event, including the high calibre of the other runners and the leap from 1500 metres to 10 kilometres, Holly made the conscious decision to give it a go, in true country kid style, and ran in 5th, securing selection for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, to the delight of both her and her coach. This latest NSW 5000m title for Holly was validation for the hard work put in. “The 5000m was great, it was meant to be a bit of a tune up for the Cross- Country Championships so the plan was to take it easy for the first few kilometres and then try and pick it up a bit in the second half.” “It ended up being very warm and humid, so it wasn’t pleasant being out there, but I was happy with the effort. Plus, it’s always nice to get a win and a state title,” she said. Keeping it in the family, Paige Campbell, Holly's twin sister, is also an accomplished runner having represented Australia at world-championships in cross country and the 3000 metre steeplechase. Holly, who is 26 and holds a Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food Science), is now planning what is next in her running future. “I’m a little bit unsure at this point what will be next, but I am hoping to go after some fast times overseas if I can get my body right," she said."I would like to try and get enough points to put me in the mix to potentially qualify for the world championships or Olympics in the next few years.” “Really though my main goal is to just keep on enjoying my running and enjoy the places it takes me.” Holly is passionate about running, health and fitness and encourages all country kids to keep working towards their running goals and not to be discouraged by distance. “Growing up on a farm is a great foundation for any kind of runner or athlete. I think being able to get outdoors and be active as a young kid is so important,” Holly told Western Plains App. “I think one of the biggest challenges of being from the country is having to afford to live away from home for training etc. I think you could train in the country, but it’s made much more difficult for access to health services and trainers, but where there is a will there’s a way. Never give up.”

By Colin Hodges.Locally trained and owned Turgenev was a popular winner of the feature event, the 1550 metres Mountain View Hotel Tooraweenah Cup on Saturday 4 February at Gilgandra.Raced by a big syndicate including Gilgandra Jockey Club president Jason Tate and trained at the track by Kieren Hazelton, Turgenev had been part of a winning treble for Hazelton and Sydney based jockey Andrew Banks at the New Years Eve meeting.Another great ride by Andrew Banks in the Tooraweenah Cup saw Turgenev ($3.60 to $2.70) away quickly from an outside barrier to take the trail behind the leader Blue Channel.In the straight, Turgenev shot away to win by over four lengths from Northern Borders (Zara Lewis, $91) and Blue Channel (Shayleigh Ingelse, $5.50).During a good day for Gilgandra trainers, Bryan Dixon won the 1000 metres Rohr’s Home Timber & Hardware Benchmark 50 Handicap with rank outsider Stryke ‘Em Onesie ridden by the stable apprentice Zara Lewis.Official starting price for Stryke ‘Em Onesie was $61 however the TAB dividend was $83 and the TAB Fixed odds was $101.Leading for home by a slender margin, Stryke ‘Em Onesie held on gamely to win by a neck from Byzantium (Shayleigh Ingelse, $7)and the fast finishing Starlink (Tony Cavallo, $3.70).Newcastle trainer Andrew MacDonald won a race at Gilgandra last year with Midas Star and obviously enjoyed the visit as he returned on Saturday to land a winning double with Emerald Reach and Jumping Power Two, both being ridden by Clayton Gallagher.Settling fifth in the 1000 metres Aquawest Maiden Handicap, Emerald Reach ($6.50 to $5.50) hit the lead in the straight to win by a length from Charge Away (Serg Lisnyy, $4.60) and London Tycoon (Tony Cavallo, $1.90 favourite).Three year old gelding Jumping Power Two produced a good performance when carrying the 60.5kg top weight and coming from an outside barrier to win the 800 metres Geronimo Farm Equipment Class 1 Handicap.Jumping Power Two ($1.60 to $1.40 favourite) raced outside the leader and responding to powerful riding from Clayton Gallagher, won by a short head from So Extra (Serg Lisnyy, $5) with over two lengths to Mr Bobcat (Will Stanley, $14).Sons of Bourke shines onWith a dislike for rain affected tracks, the nine year old gelding Sons Of Bourke on a good racing surface at Gilgandra returned to form when winning the 1280 metres Freck’s Electrical And Solar Benchmark 50 Handicap.Well ridden by Wellington based apprentice Dylan Stanley, Sons Of Bourke ($13) came from midfield to beat Valadyium (Ken Dunbar, $17) and Punkzy (Andrew Banks, $21).Owned by Mark Spencer, Kurt Dickson, Frank Hollman and Glen Knight (all from Bourke) and now trained at Nyngan by Rodney Robb, Sons Of Bourke has recorded 8 wins and 18 placings from 69 starts and accumulated $185,000 prizemoney.Dubbo trainer Michael Mulholland and Wyong jockey Serg Lisnyy who are proving a successful combination, won the 1280 metres Bendigo Bank Maiden Plate with Rubiland.Finishing fast from near the tail of the 12 horse field, Rubiland ($5) arrived in time to beat Cherry Blue (Tony Cavallo, $5.50) and Outside Edge (James Rogers, $16).Next upCondobolin Picnics and Coonabarabran are scheduled for Saturday 18 February with Mudgee on Sunday 19 featuring the $150,000 Central Districts Qualifier for the Newhaven Park Country Championship Final at Royal Randwick.