by Bryson LuffThe Cobar Roosters became the first team to defeat the Coolah Kangaroos in season 2024 when they won a high standard major semi final at Dunedoo’s Robertson Oval on Saturday in front of a bumper crowd in the Castlereagh Rugby League.In what was an eleventh-hour decision the Kangaroos were dealt a blow before the game even kicked off when the Coolah ground was deemed unsuitable for play and any home ground advantage that they would have had was forfeited with the semis having to be transferred to Dunedoo.The change of venue seemed not to bother the Coolah side, and they raced out to a 12 to nil leaders with Chanse Burgess going over twice for two converted tries mid-way through the first half and they seemed to be doing it easyHowever it was to be the Roosters who went to the half time break as 16 to 12 leaders after their winger Jack Brown was able to ground a well placed grubber from his hooker Thomas Plater in the 23rd minute, followed not long after by centre Fraser Talu leaping high to latch onto a pin point cross field kick to edge the Chooks to within two points of the ‘Roos with the scoreboard reading 12 to 10 at that point.Talu was in again on the cusp of half time after a nice pass from front rower Gerald Mackay put him in a gap and with the conversion successful the ‘Roos went to the sheds facing a four-point deficit.With the game flowing from end to end, both sides were called upon to defend their line stoutly on a number of occasions and it wasn’t until the 24th minute into the second stanza that the scoreboard attendant was called to duty when Coolah’s hard running centre, Josh Charles, was able to crash over for a converted try and the ‘Roos had regained the lead 18 to 16.The Roosters replied with eight minutes remaining when their lock Loma Atuau charged his way over for what was a converted try and Cobar was back in front 22 to 18.The final tense minutes of the match had the large and vocal crowd on their feet but there was to be no addition to either score and the Roosters had not only won the game but also the right to host the 2024 grand final on August 31.High quality games all aroundThe high quality of football shown in the first grade game was also mirrored in the lower grades with the Narromine Jets coming from 8 nil down to get over the top of the Dunedoo Swannettes 18 to 14 in the league tag, the Gilgandra Panthers just edging out the Binnaway Bombshells 16 to 12 in the reserve grade after both sides scored three tries and Cobar winning the Youth League 28 to 12 over Gulgong.The football action continued Sunday with the Gulgong Terriers featuring in all grades in the minor semi finals that were played at Narromine.Unfortunately, it was a case of three up and three down for the club, as they lost the reserve grade 46 to 16 to the Baradine Magpies, before going down 38 to 12 to the Coolah Flyers in the league tag and then much to the dismay of their supporters their first grade side could not hold on to an 18 to 6 lead that they held midway through the second half with the fast finishing Narromine Jets storming home to stay alive in the 2024 premiership race with a 24 to 18 victory.Roos to play at Bowen OvalThe Coolah Kangaroos will be hoping that the weather gods are on their side this week so that they can get to play the preliminary finals at Bowen Oval on Saturday.The Kangaroos will have both their league tag and first grade sides in action up against Dunedoo and Narromine respectively.The reserve grade game between Binnaway and Baradine will get proceedings underway at 10.15am followed by the youth league clash between Binnaway and Gulgong then the league tag and first grade with the winners advancing to the grand finals the following Saturday.Christie and Hood Castlereagh League semi-final scoreMajor semi finals results played at Dunedoo Saturday, August 17Reserve gradeGilgandra 16 (Lachlan Briggs, George Alchin, Jay Towney tries, Alex Sutherland 2 goals) defeated Binnaway 12 (Cody Whitty, Ben Harris, Logan Meyers tries).Youth LeagueCobar 28 (Reece Josephson 3, Oisin McMullen, Aiden Swan tries, Tadgh McMullen 4 goals) defeated Gulgong 12 (Kayden Whiley, Jackson Pascoe tries, Caiden Horton 2 goals).League TagNarromine 18 (Emily Fardell 2, Chloe McLean , Emily Edwards tries, Shian Chatfield goal) defeated Dunedoo 14 (Shelley Cox, Alexis Gallagher, Lauren Sullivan tries , Georgia Price goal).First GradeCobar 22 (Fraser Talu 2, Jack Brown, Loma Atuau tries, Thomas Plater 3 goals) defeated Coolah 18 (Chanse Burgess 2, Josh Charles tries, Dan Lane 3 goals).Minor semi finals results played at Narromine Sunday, August 18:Reserve GradeBaradine 46 (Liam Blackhall 2, Wade Sutherland 2, Connor Hughes, Travis Houghton, Will Nash, John Milgate tries, Liam Fernando 6 goals) defeated Gulgong 16 ( Tyron Reynolds 2, John Douglas tries, Jai Cai 2 goals).League TagCoolah 38 (Brooklyn Blackadder 5, Jacinta Dummett, Molly Burgess tries, Lisa Jones 5 goals) defeated Gulgong 12 (Imogen Hollow, Chloe Patrick tries, Claire Bodiam 2 goals).First GradeNarromine 24 (Janus Walford, Epeli Draunidalo, Brad Pickering, Ryan McCarney tries, Pickering 3 goals) defeated Gulgong 18 (Blake Gorrie, Will Hawkins, Willie Daucakacaca tries, Brad James 3 tries)Preliminary Finals to be played at Coolah Saturday, August 24First game to kick off at 10.15am with other games to follow:Reserve GradeBinnaway V BaradineYouth League Gulgong V BinnawayLeague TagDunedoo V CoolahFirst GradeCoolah V Narromine

By COLIN HODGESLocal trainer Wayne Prisk has now won the two feature races for 2024 at Cobar with the same horse, Dancing In The Sky.Nyssa Burrells travelled from the southern highlands in June to win the Westrac Cobar Cup on Dancing In The Sky and on Saturday 17 August the Narromine based Ricky Blewitt was the winning jockey in the DJW and Wells Ventilation Cobar Picnic Cup.Making the Cup win even more special on Saturday, Wayne Prisk landed a winning treble with his other winners being Parnassus and Rylstone Rocket.This was a popular achievement as Wayne Prisk is a great supporter of western area racing, regularly travelling long distances to start big teams at meetings.Penique set the early pace in the 1700 metres Picnic Cup until Dancing In The Sky took over at the 1200 metres and proceeded to make the race a one act affair.Owned by Wayne Prisk and Butch Eves from Cobar, Dancing In The Sky (Ricky Blewitt, $3.50) won by nearly four lengths from Valadyium (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.20 favourite) and Eaglesaurus (Eloise Drews, $5.50).Rylstone Rocket ($10) is also raced by Wayne Prisk and Butch Eves and with Gilgandra based Zara Lewis in the saddle came from fourth to beat Mista Sock (Todd Bailey, $7) and Oojah Capow (Ricky Blewitt, $2.30 favourite) in the 1400 metres Sullivans Mining and Hardware Class B Handicap.IMAGE: Emma DatsonPart owned by the trainers son Geoff Prisk, Parnassus (Deborah Barton, $5) gave a taste of the good things to come for the stable when sweeping around the field to beat the leader La Magia (Izzy Neale, $2.20 favourite) and Kitty’s Pledge (Zara Lewis, $13) to win the opening event, the 1000 metres Cobar Cranes and Tyre Doctor Maiden Plate.For Deborah Barton this was her second career winner, the first being on Anymarg’illdo at Bligh Picnics.Wayne Prisk went close to 4 winners at Cobar as A Tender Lady (Zara Lewis, $7) led by a big margin in the 1000 metres The Stabilising and Geosecure Class B Handicap however was overhauled and beaten a half length by the Michael Plummer, Narromine trained Northern Excel (Izzy Neale, $5) with Wabrami (Todd Bailey, $2.80 favourite) a close third.Zara Lewis brought up a Cobar double when the Ashley Gibson, Gilgandra trained Alaskan Aura ($6) raced handy to the lead before kicking clear from Blackhill Kitty ( Todd Bailey, $8) and Bush Warrior (Izzy Neale, $7) in the 1400 metres Nutrien Russell-Picnic Championship Preview Trophy Handicap.Premiership winning trainer Connie Greig dominated the 1200 metres Cynend Building and Construction Trophy Handicap with the first 3 place getters in the 9 horse field.Ridden by John Wilson, Celtic Harp ($5.50) finished well to beat stablemates Benyatta (Eloise Drews, $7) and the heavily supported Allande (Leandro Ribeiro, $3.50 to $2.30 favourite ).IMAGE: Emma DatsonNext up in the western plains, Narromine (TAB) is set to race on Sunday 25 August with the $40,000 Narromine Cup to feature, while the Gulargambone Cup is scheduled for Saturday 31 August.

Nyngan has celebrated its national Athletes in the past couple of weeks with home grown athlete Courtney Watt adding a gold medal to the tally - albeit not at the Olympics.Courtney was part of the national women’s 27’s team that took out the top honour at the Australian Oztag Invitational Challenge held in Coffs Harbour last week. In a thrilling final the Australian team took out the win against Great Britain 7-4 and the team were ecstatic. “It was an amazing experience getting to debut playing for Australia with such a strong team of very experienced and knowledgeable women,” said Courtney. “I am truly grateful for the experience.” With teams from Great Britain, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Samoa, Philippines, Timor Leste, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, China, Ireland, Niue, Cook Islands, Palestine, Greece, Malta, Italy and Cambodia, it was no mean feat to claim the title. Courtney, who grew up in Nyngan playing all sports, really took to Oztag when she moved to Canberra for University, playing in several major representative sides during her career.Photos courtesy of Oztag Australia and Courtney Watt Oztag is the original non-tackling version of Rugby League and Rugby, which was founded in 1992. With over 140,000 people playing across Australia, the sport caters to every age group and gender. Courtney has been supported on her sporting journey by her husband Hayden, two boys Archie and Lucas, and parents Brad and Sonia Lane. A recent move home to Nyngan has her sharing her love of sport and her skills with the Nyngan community as part of the Bogan Bulls Tri Tag team and local Little Athletics club.

Sixty students from Baradine and Coonabarabran have advanced from white to yellow belt in Go-Kan-Ryu (GKR) Karate. Participants of all ages were congratulated at a training session and belt presentation ceremony held at the Baradine Memorial Hall on July 21.Karate students in action at the Baradine Memorial Hall. (Image: Liz Cutts).GKR founder and chief instructor, Kancho Robert Sullivan explained the belt journey process and took the students though some new moves.“This is their first grading; they have been learning some different techniques,” he said.“Their training focus so far has been on developing basic moves. Having achieved their yellow belt, they will now be introduced to two important elements of karate training, Kata and Kumite.“It will take three or four months to progress to the green belt, followed by blue and red belts. There are then three separate levels of brown belt, finishing with the black belt. The whole journey can take from four to seven years.Kancho Sullivan is an 8th Dan Black Belt and has been training in and teaching karate since 1964. He spent time learning and teaching in both Japan and the USA before establishing GKR in 1984. His original aim was to build a small karate club, but he soon realised that teaching karate was something that would become his lifelong vocation.“My fascination for karate led me to training in the Japanese style of Goju-Kai,” he explained. “Over the next decade I spent most of my time studying and learning two of the most prominent Japanese styles of karate, Goju and Keishinkan (Shotokan).“I initially taught in Broken Hill many years ago and it is great now that it is here in Baradine and Coonabarabran. It certainly seems to have caught on; the response has been wonderful. Baradine and Coonabarabran karate students received their yellow belts at the certification ceremony. (Image: Liz Cutts).“Training for karate keeps me active and physically fit. I will be 77 years old later this year, so I am an advocate for karate as a great activity for all ages. Once you see some skills happening you get stimulated from learning new techniques and coordinating your body. I modify the techniques as I get older. “As long as I can stand and walk, I will continue to do some movements in Karate. Once you get into it, it is very enjoyable.”   

After seven years, the Barwon Darling Rugby League mens title is back in Brewarrina hands after the Golden Googars defeated the Bourke Warriors in the Sunday grand final, 18-14.The showdown drew at least 150 spectators to a cool but rainless day in Walgett, where the Warriors' fate was sealed with a disallowed try in the last five minutes of the second half.Googer supporters exploded onto the field after the final whistle and club president Sharon Fox screamed so hard that she "had no voice" the next morning."All outback towns love their football, but Bre's passionate about their football," Sharon said."They love the crowd. They like doing it for the crowd and community."Every time they scored a try, the crowd was just wild."The last time Brewarrina took the trophy was in 2017. PHOTO: Facebook/ Peyton L Kelly The Googars built on a 10-2 lead from half time, although Bourke didn't let them take the cup without a fight..Warriors president George Orcher said his team, who had expected to face Walgett in the final, were "gutted.""We'll get over it," he said."We were slow to start, but we worked into it."Brewarrina played enormous. They dominated with every forward pack," Mr Orcher said."It was played in good spirit."It's the second time in as many years that Bourke has missed out in a grand final, losing last year to a joint Goodooga-Lightning Ridge side.The 15s girls' tag sides Brewarrina Golden Googars and Lightning Ridge Redbacks. PHOTO: Facebook/ Peyton L Kelly Brewarrina's girls under-15 tag side had less luck against the Lightning Ridge Redbacks, losing 60-0, although Sharon said they weren't too down in the dumps."They were just stoked because they got to the grand final," she said."I said to them 'it doesn't matter if you win, lose or draw. You got to the grand final.'"

The Bourke Warriors will face longtime rivals Brewarrina after the Golden Googars headed off Walgett to book a spot in the mens Barwon Darling Rugby League grand final. Brewarrina defeated the Walgett Dragons on their own turf on Saturday 27 July, leading 36-12 by the final whistle. Warriors president George Orcher said he had been expecting to face Walgett, although he's not counting out a tough fight tomorrow. "It's a fierce rivalry, but we're looking forward to the challenge," he said. "They've done well after they got their act together towards the end of the year. "Should be a good match."The Bourke mens side haven't won the tournament for six years.He promised a strong crowd of supporters in Walgett tomorrow. Both teams are hungry for the mens title after a more than five year drought. The Warriors last won it in 2018, losing in the grand final last year to a joint Goodooga-Lightning Ridge side, while Brewarrina haven't held the title since 2017. Googars president Sharon Fox said the Bre-Bourke rivalry has stretched at least to when she was in school in the 1980s. "We're expecting a few supporters too, so it should be a good day," she said. "We're just so excited." Brewarrina also have the under 15s girls playing in the finals against Lightning Ridge Redbacks. 

Twenty-three players at the Coonamble Junior Rugby Club had the time of their lives in Sydney on Saturday 7 July when they joined the Wallabies on the field before their win against Wales. Around 75 people, including 28 children and their parents, made the trip on Friday morning before hitting the field the next morning at Wakehurst Rugby Park for friendly matches against sides from Chatswood and Wakehurst. The children's next stop was Allianz Stadium in the afternoon to watch the 4:45pm game between the Wallaroos and Fiji, where the hosts dominated 64-5.Then, around three hours later, came the big moment when the Coonamble juniors walked out of the player tunnel hand in hand with the team in green and gold. They stood with the players for the national anthem in front a buzzing crowd of almost 36,000.  “It gives that conversation for the kids, to just see and feel and understand what rugby is all about and where you can go,” Coonamble Junior Rugby Club President Kieran McHugh said. “It might drive kids to achieve the highest level.“We only had 23 positions available to run out on the ground. “We had to do a selection process and some of that was taken up by kids who fit the age bracket, but we also took into consideration how much the kids were putting in at training and commitment to the club.”  PHOTO: Coonamble Junior Rugby Club players walked out and lined up with the Wallabies side during the welcome to country and anthems for their game against Wales on Saturday 7th July. PHOTO: SuppliedThe Wallabies defeated the tourists 25-16.The youngsters also saw an NRL (National Rugby League) game where the Roosters beat the Dragons 42-12 on Sunday and came up close to the winning players at the crowd barrier after the game.

The Western Plains Under-12s rugby union side had a tough gig in Camden at their first NSW Junior Rugby Union State Championship between 8 and 10 June, losing five of seven games. The 23-player squad, made mostly of children from Coonamble and Gulargambone, lost 33-0 to the ACT, 29-0 to Illawarra, 21-0 to Central North, 19-0 to Central West and 17-7 to Melbourne.The side beat Mid-North Coast 7-0 and South NSW/Monaro 10-7. Team trainer Mark Pitts said the players had an uphill battle in the 23-team competition.“We don’t have any formal competition," Mr Pitts said. "All the other zones play in one, which makes their preparation far better. “Not only that, they don’t have the geographical boundaries to training,” Mark said.“The under 12s only have gala days and unfortunately only one or two clubs can produce a 15-side team. “Gulargambone is by far the strongest club in the zone, but they don’t have any good competition.“So, they’re lacking experience to compete against highly drilled regions such as Warringah and Manly.”Mark Pitts is a trainer for Western Plains under-12s regional sideThe team drove back home on Monday after their final game against Melbourne.It may have been a rough first time, but Mark said the side saw some “solid performances” on the field.He singled out Armatree front-rower Akhiro Baker, who plays for the Gular junior rugby team and scored the try to beat Mid-North Coast on Sunday. “There’s were some solid performances by the others, but I’d say that if there was a standout in team at this particular tournament, it would be Akhiro,” Mark said. “He just carried very well, he made some explosive tackles, he’s really developing into a good rugby player.”

A large crowd gathered at Warren’s Victoria Oval last Saturday for a packed program to celebrate Warren Rugby Club’s 70 year reunion.Many former players from across the decades were in attendance to watch Warren take on Walgett in women’s tri tag and first grade in Round 8 of the Western Plains season; sadly due to an impending rain event, many of the Walgett players were busy on tractors and so the club was unable to field a second grade side.That’s bush rugby though, sometimes livelihood, or at least the chance of a decent crop, has to come first.Instead Warren second grade side was able to provide some opposition when the old boys took to the field.Two players from the original 1954 team were also present; Bomber Moxham and Barry Beach, with Bomber pulling on the boots for a run in the old boys’ game and scoring a try - definitely the first time a 93 year old has done that in the club’s history.Many family members and friends of original players were also part of the day including Penny and Ali Wass, daughters of another original Puma, Andrew Wass, travelling from Sydney and Canberra for the occasion.It wasn’t really a day for score keeping but with Warren and Walgett holding top positions on the ladder it was worth noting that Walgett won the girls’ game 29-7 and Warren won the first grade 38-5.Former Warren Puma Ian McKay (seated) with Penny and Ali Wass and inaugural team member Bomber Moxham. IMAGE: Erin Louise ImagesWith the rugby out of the way, it was time to party, and more than 420 people descended on the sports centre for the 70th anniversary ball.A two course menu was provided by Eugowra's Eat your Greens and music was by five piece band, Squeaky Sound Box from Dubbo.Former Wallaby Warwick Waugh, originally from Gular entertained with stories from his career and former Warren Pumas coach and Western Plains Zone committee member Mal Smith announced a team of the decade.Team of the decade and associates: Back row L-R: John Azar, Jack Brennan, Charlie Howard, Mal Smith, Jimmy Archer, Richie Quigley, Stew Denston, James Austin, Sinclair Steele, Ritchie Steele, Tony Woolnough. Middle row L-R: Blair Hooper, Sam Pagan, Dave Jenkins, Keith Andrews, Andrew Cosgrove, Ben Egan, John Ashleigh, Jack Kelly, Hugh McLean. Front row L-R: James Simmons, Callum McLean, James McLean, Will Archer, Matt Kelly, Tom Noonan. ABSENT: Sam Noonan, Tom Azar, Matt Stephens, Will McAlpine. IMAGE: Erin Louise Images“It was an absolutely fantastic day and evening celebrating all that the club and bush rugby in general has to offer," current President of Warren Rugby Club Tom Noonan told the Western Plains Appp. "A big thanks to the 70th reunion committee for many months of hard work to bring it all together. "Now we get back to the business of winning the premiership.”Warren Rugby Club was formed in 1954 and in the ensuing 70 years the club has never forfeited a game; long may that tradition continue.

Riders from high schools across NSW duked it out over five days at Coonabarabran's annual North West Equestrian Expo. Between 31 May and 4 June, around 1500 people, including 480 riders from 90 schools, competed in dozens of events including show jumping, polocrosse and team penning.  Students from Cobar, Nyngan, Warren and Coona took part, as well as from Sydney, Armadale and Canberra. Expo Event Secretary Rebecca Moxham said rains in the first two days didn't get the better of the competition. "Considering the hand we were delt with the weather - we had 47 millimeters overnight on Friday until Saturday morning - it went really well," Ms Moxham said. "We were able to have every event, nothing was cancelled. We've just had to retimetable over the weekend, but by Monday we were back on to our normal timetable."It wasn't all on horseback. Students also run as part of a pentathlon. PHOTO: Facebook/North West Equestrian ExpoNyngan High School's Jameson Bush claimed the top spot in the Astro A2 showjumping, where riders had to clear a 1.15 metre jump, the highest of the expo, against the clock. In the sporting events, Cobar High School's Zachary Boland took first in the over-17s keyhole race. Coonabarabran High School's Jake Deshon won second in the polocrosse division 1 C-grade. Event winners went home with an embroidered woollen horse rug. Barring 2020, the expo has been running every year for 32 years since starting in May 1992. According to Ms Moxham, it's built a reputation as a well-run event. "The thing that really sticks out for all the committee and head stewards is what a good attitude everybody brings to the event," Ms Moxham said. "No complaining about things. You get on with the weather and all of those sorts of things, turn up when you're meant to, you're very polite to the people running it. "Riding's not a cheap sport anyway, and then to drive for five hours or eight hours to come to it, they must see that it is worth it."

By Colin HodgesWayne Prisk, the only trainer in the town, led in a winning double including the Cup winner Dancing In The Sky on Saturday at Cobar.Sharing ownership of Dancing In The Sky and Mr Pointer with Wayne Prisk is another local Butch Eves and their success was very popular with the record breaking crowd at the immaculately prepared Cobar racecourse.A great supporter of Cobar and other race clubs in the western region, Wayne Prisk started a big team on Saturday and also had placings with Chapel Lane ( 3rd in the Cup), Rylstone Rocket, Banjo Shark and. Sunmaster.In the 1700 metres Westrac Cobar Cup, the heavily supported Chapel Lane led the 9 horse field to the hometurn with Miss Italiana and Dancing In The Sky ready to challenge while Valadyium and Beg Me were closest of the rest.Miss Italiana (Shannen Llewellyn, $2.60 favourite) gained a rails run to take a narrow lead but was overhauled and beaten a short head by Dancing In The Sky (Nyssa Burrells, $8) with Chapel Lane (Dylan Stanley, $4.60) in third place.For the winning jockey Nyssa Burrells it was a triumph after making a comeback from yet another life threatening race fall injury.Wayne Prisk has always supported Nyssa Burrells and she has often made the long trip from the southern highlands to ride for the Cobar trainer.Burrells and Prisk had earlier combined with Mr Pointer ($4) the all the way winner of the 1000 metres Sullivans Mining & Hardware and Inland Petroleum-Lou Simon Memorial Benchmark 58 Handicap from stablemate Banjo Shark (Hannah Johnston, $15) and Queensland visitor Za Hidden Dragon (Jessica Brookes, $6).Dubbo trainer Connie Greig who has won several races including Cups at Cobar over recent years had a winning double on Saturday with Have Mercy and Chookster.Given a good run behind the 3 duelling leaders by Georgina McDonnell, Have Mercy ($3.80) shot away to win by almost 4 lengths from Seeburg (Jessica Brookes, $6.50) and the strong finishing Mean Girls (James Rogers, $4.80) in the 1200 metres Nutrien Russell & Silkman Austen Brown Lawyers Vinny Delaney Memorial Class 1 Handcap.Tracking the leader Torrid Affair to the hometurn, the strongly supported Chookster (Wendy Peel, $3 favourite) broke clear to win the 1370 metres DJW and Broughton Field Services-Dr Allan Brady Memorial BM 45 Handicap by over 4 lengths from Well Decorated (Angela Cooper, $17) and Sun Master (Nyssa Burrells, $12).The in form apprentice Shannen Llewellyn was aboard the Rodney Robb, Nyngan trained Illusive Star ($5) which led throughout to defeat Smokin Soldier (Chelsea Stanley, $15) and Bupkis (Shayleigh Ingelse, $2.20 fav.) in the 1200 metres SCG Mechanical & Tyre Doctor-Buckman Memorial BM 50 Handicap.Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm won the final race at Wellington on Thursday with Pyromania and the first at Cobar with Fields Of Fire.Headed in the straight by Cashmere Inn, Fields Of Fire ($2 fav.) was the first leg of a winning double for Georgina McDonnell when fighting back to beat Rylstone Rocket (Nyssa Burrells, $5) and Cashmere Inn (Andrew Banks, $3) in the 1000 metres Cobar Steel, Cyend Construction & MSD Mining Solutions -George Booth Memorial Maiden Plate.Racing in the central west at Dubbo (TAB) on Friday, Parkes (Saturday), Gulgong (Sunday) and Bathurst (TAB) on Tuesday June 11th.

A large crowd is expected at Warren Rugby Club on Saturday 29 June as the club gears up to celebrate its 70th season. A huge day of festivities is planned for the ‘home fixture at Victoria Oval where the Pumas will take on Walgett in three grades starting at 10.15 when the Warren Pumarettes take on the Walgett Ewes. This will be followed by an old Boys game at 11.30, second grade at 12.40 before the First-grade game between Warren Pumas and Walgett Rams at 2pm. Original Warren Rugby Club team members Barry Beach and Bomber Moxham will be in attendance, where they will be joined by family members of other players including two daughters of Andrew Wass who are travelling from Sydney and Canberra to celebrate the historic occasion. Organiser Jack Kelly, a current Puma, is hoping that as many people with affiliations to the club over the years can make it for the day. “The hunt is on for former players to attend on the day and we hope that the word can be spread far and wide so that everyone who has ever played for Warren Rugby Club knows the event is on,” said Jack.  “Expressions of interest are sought from ex-players over the age of 35 to play in the old boys game. Those men are asked to nominate by emailing [email protected].”Bomber Moxham and Barry Beach at the Moxham Beach Cup with Warren player Blair Hooper and Bogan Bull Player Brendan Nelson. - Barry and Bomber are two original Pumas players who will be attending the 70th celebrations - Photo courtesy Warren Pumas The day doesn’t end with the footy, a 70th Anniversary Ball will take place the same night kicking off at 5.30pm at the Warren Sporting and Cultural Centre. This will include a sit-down meal from Eat Your Greens, dessert by A Sweet Revenge by Blin and entertainment from Squeaky Sound Box. “Former Wallaby Warwick Waugh (who originally hails from Gulargambone) will be the guest speaker, and there will also be a jersey auction. Warwick played eight tests for the Wallabies over a five-year period, from 1993 to 1997. He will speak of his rugby experience and will no doubt be very relatable to former and current players,” said Secretary Audrey Weston. “We are so excited for the celebrations, Warren Rugby Club has had a lot of players over the years and we hope that as many as possible will come back and enjoy the festivities,’ Mrs. Weston added. “Tickets for the ball are $120 pp and available now (scan the bar code on the flyer), book as individuals or tables of 10. Ticket sales close 5th June 2024.” For more information on the event contact Jack Kelly on 0499058 456 or Audrey Weston on 0408690954. Organiser Jack Kelly said the club is raring to go for the day and everyone is looking forward to the event. “We’re pretty excited for the 70th reunion. It’s going to be a great day of rugby for all ages, especially the old boys, and then the ball at night will be a cracker.” 

After just three rounds only the Cobar Roosters and the Coolah ‘Roos remain unbeaten in the Christie and Hood Castlereagh League first grade competition and, as fate would have it, those two sides will be clashing this Saturday in what will be a gigantic Boronia Cup game at Cobar’s Tom Knight Oval.The Roosters saw off the Baradine Magpies 34 to 12 at Cobar last Saturday with their dynamic co-coach Loma Atuau crossing for two of his teams seven tries in what was another impressive performance by the red, white and blues.Meanwhile at Coolah the resurgent ‘Roos continued their notable return to the Castlereagh scene with a strong 48 to 10 defeat of the Coonabarabran Unicorns.Their league tag team, the Flyers also retained their unbeaten status when they recorded an emphatic 64 to nil win over the Unicorns.In the other first grade games the Narromine Jets were too strong for Coonamble, recording a large 56 to 16 win over the Bears at Coonamble. The Jet’s five-eight, and last years’ Castlereagh League Player of the Year, Doug Potter, scored 24 of his side’s points, crossing for three tries and slotting six goals in a fine individual performance.The remaining game saw the Gilgandra Panthers get up for their first win of the season, just getting the job done against the visiting Gulgong Terriers.In what was an absorbing and exciting finish to a close game, the Panthers were called on to grimly defend a slender 22 to 20 lead for the final 15 minutes. This they did despite the Terriers throwing plenty at them in those final stages of a game that could have easily gone either way.Quite obviously the match of the round this Saturday will be the Boronia Cup game at Cobar between the Roosters and the ‘Roos, and what a match it promises to be with both outfits big in size and mobility across the park and chockful of confidence.Indeed, it will be a real test for the Coolah club, in terms of how they travel and how they perform against a side that is warming as the early season favourite to collect the 2024 premiership.Should make for interesting viewing a huge crowd is expected to take in the action!Apart from the game at Cobar there will be some other enthralling match ups around the Castlereagh area with the Baradine Magpies playing the Gilgandra Panthers for the Campbell-Noonan Cup at Baradine.Molly Broughton from Cobar PHOTO: B PrintA highlight of the day will be a commemoration of the life of Ken Campbell who recently passed away.Ken was a legendary Baradine player who was a member of the famous 1974 Western Division side that won the AMCO Cup and was well respected both on and off the field as a tough competitor and great bloke.The Campbell-Noonan Cup has been played for between the Baradine and Gilgandra clubs for a number of years now and is partly named after Ken, the other half of the name honouring Gilgandra great, “Buzz” Noonan who incidentally is Ken’s brother-in-law, the two had many monumental battles on the field in years gone by!At Gulgong, the Terriers will be hoping to return to the winning list against the visiting Narromine Jets and, as will the Coonabarabran Unicorns when they travel to Coonamble to try and down the Bears at Bearstone Park!Christie and Hood Castlereagh League Round 3 scores Youth League Narromine 28 (Darby Gordon 2, Rorey Miller-Coen, Tate McNeil, Ashton Coleman, Will Kerr tries, Zac Everett 2 goals) defeated Binnaway 12 (Toby Kelly, Nash Walker, Beau Hinton tries).Competition Table; Gulgong 6, Binnaway 4, Cobar 4, Narromine 4. League TagNarromine 44 (Emily Edwards 2, Emily Fardell 2, Lily Spackman, Jacana Powell, Shian Chatfield, Hayley Crawley tries, Chatfield 4, Spackman 2 goals) defeated Binnaway 0.Coolah 64 (Mackenzie Blackadder 3, Molly Burgess 3, Jacinta Dummett 2, Jenna Packham, Emma Ratatagia, Fiona Westbourne-Martin, Kadesha Ayoub tries, Jasmine Thompson 6, Channy Burgess 2 goals) defeated Coonabarabran 0.Dunedoo 32 (Shelley Cox 5, Eva Hogden tries, Chloe Brougham 4 goals) defeated Coonamble 4 (Kiara Cross try).Cobar 22 (Molly Broughton 2, Brennah Aumua, Kayla Hasson, Taylah Good tries, Brianna Watson goal) defeated Baradine 16 (Jalika Leslie 2, Claudia Eastburn, Stephanie Dewson tries).Gulgong 10 (Chloe Patrick, Matilda Harper tries, Laurissa Hay goal) defeated Gilgandra 8 (Zillah Rogers, Laura Jordan tries). Competition Table:Narromine 9, Dunedoo 9, Coolah 9, Baradine 7, Gulgong 7, Coonamble 5, Cobar 5, Gilgandra 3, Binnaway 3, Coonabarabran 3.First GradeCoolah 48 (Jack Piper 3, Sam Wesley 2, Jayden Brown 2, Tyler Lennox, Austin Burgess, Chanse Burgess tries, Hugh Wesley 3, Dan Lane goals) defeated Coonabarabran 10 (Brad Fuller, Jarvis Watton tries, Fuller goal).Narromine 56 ( Doug Potter 3, Brent Paige 2, Janus Walford 2, Luke Thompson 2, Ryan Richardson, Darby Gordon tries, Potter 6 goals) defeated Coonamble 16 (Preston Smith, Jack Kelly, Jye Dixon tries, Mitch Nalder 2 goals).Cobar 34 (Loma Atuau 2, Jack Brown, Ben Griffiths, Tim Hillam, Zane Taylor, Veni Taumololo, Kai Taylor tries, Thomas Plater 2, Griffiths goal) defeated Baradine 12 (Jamie Knox-Greenaway, Logan Dewson, Dylan Hohnberg tries).Gilgandra 22 (Jarrod Fuller 2, Wade Peachey, Jay Towney tries, Ty Sutherland 3 goals) defeated Gulgong 20 (Zac Warwicker 2, Brodie McGann, Jai Cain tries, Brad James 2 goals). Competition Ladder:Cobar 9, Coolah 9, Coonabarabran 7, Narromine 7, Gulgong 5, Gilgandra 5, Baradine 3, Coonamble 3. Round 4Friday 17th May7.30pm Coonabarabran V Dunedoo (League Tag)Saturday 18th MayBaradine V GilgandraGulgong V NarromineCobar V Coolah (Boronia Challenge Cup game)Coonamble V Binnaway (League Tag)Coonamble V Coonabarabran (First Grade)Sunday 19th MayCobar V Orange United Warriors (Youth League) at Peak Hill. 

Orana locals squared off against shooters across Australia over the weekend in the Brewarrina Clay Target Club Barwon and District Championships.  Almost 60 shooters from towns including Bourke, Cobar, Dubbo, Bendigo in Victoria and Geraldton in Western Australia tackled overcast conditions during the two-day comp from 4 May.  In clay target shooting, shooters hit disks flung from the ‘trap,’ which sits at least 15 metres away from the shooting line.Brewarrina AA Dallas Codrington and son, B-grader Alex, shot a clean 30 out of 30 targets in the point score alongside Coonamble A-grader Jason Peters. The three went into a runoff shoot. Cobar AA Robert Thompson shot first in his grade for the high gun with 286 out of 300 points on Sunday. He also shot a perfect score to win the 50-target double barrel the day before. Bourke’s Aaron Marsh won the 15-pair double rise with 29 out of 30 points. Brewarrina’s Noel Cooper (C-grade), Alex Codrington (juniors) and Helen Overton (ladies) also won the high gun for their categories.Jason Peters from Coonamble took home the A Grade prize. Coonamble’s Jason Peters said it was “pretty hard shooting.” “I wear special glasses for shooting with different colours to pick up more light,” Jason explained.  “The sun would come out for a little bit, then you’d go change your glasses to another colour and then it’d be overcast.”Longtime Brewarrina Clay Target Club members Max (left) and Colin Betts (right) with President Dallas Codrington. Image: Supplied Dallas, who is also the President of the Brewarrina Clay Target Club, said conditions improved on Sunday.  “Saturday was tough enough with clouds and a bit of wind to contend with. Sunday was lovely conditions, bright and sunny day,” Dallas said.  His club also celebrated longtime members, brother Colin and Max Betts. Colin has been with the club for 50 years, Max 60.  “That’s a pretty amazing feat these days. You don’t sort of see that very often,” Dallas said.  “They’ve both held the position of President. Col’ was President for nearly 20 years, so they’ve been around a long time, them boys.”

Campdrafters at Come by Chance last weekend managed to dodge the bigger falls of rain to pull off another successful event.Despite up to 20 millimetres in the surrounding district, the Gleneda Racetrack and Campdraft Grounds tolerated 10millimetres of rain on Thursday 18 and a further sprinkling of 2millimetres throughout the event.Campdraft Club President Charlie Colless said that, even with a few scratchings among those wary of the wet weather, they still drew about 200 individual competitors who took about 850 runs over the three days from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 April.“We ran nine main events including junior and juvenile campdraft and kids sporting events like bending, flag and barrel racing,” he said. “We have about a dozen people on our actual committee and that many again in local community volunteers who cook barbeques, drive trucks and run the kids events.“Between the committee and the local community they do a great job.”“We also couldn’t do it without our sponsors and cattle donors,” he said.The rain did have an impact on the organisation of the competition.“We had two mobs of cattle unable to be trucked in, so we walked some in from drier areas,” said Charlie. “We do try to hold it once a year but with droughts and floods we probably average about three events every five years.”Meg Rose Photography spent the weekend capturing all the action at the Come by Chance Campdraft.Riders came from as far afield as Nundle, Dirranbandi and the Hunter Valley.“It was pretty successful I think,” Charlie said. “The committee were happy and we got a lot of feedback from competitors, especially those who hadn’t been before, commenting on the relaxing environment.“The standard of competition is always improving,” he said. “Chelsea Peacock from Dubbo won the Ladies Draft with a score of 93, you don’t get much better than that.”Other winners included Coonamble’s Paul Colwell, who took out the Open Draft and Troy Palmer (Coolah) won the Novice.

The rugby refereeing career of Coonamble's Ella Goldsmith passed another milestone recently as she was presented with her cap from Rugby Australia, making her the eighth woman in Australia to receive a cap.The cap is significant in recognising her first international XV game which she refereed last year - Fiji versus Papua New Guinea at the Oceania Women's XVs tournament on the Gold Coast."It's like how cricketers get their baggy green when they play for Australia," Ella explained. "I wasn't expecting the cap or the presentation last weekend - it was a surprise that I had so many of my friends and wider support crew there."My family were with me as well as my coaches and support from both Rugby Australia and NSW Rugby Referees Association as well as the team I refereed with that night."Ella had come straight from refereeing the Super Rugby Women's game between the Waratahs and the Rebels at Allianz Stadium on Friday evening 5 April to the Rugby Australia boardroom.Joining Ella at Rugby Australia headquarters were her parents Jamie and Leonie Goldsmith, siblings Bridget and Lawson, her boyfriend Cameron Horne and his parents Margaret and Peter, along with friends Sophie Gee, Luca Dalla Camina, and Harry Montgomery.Ella Goldsmith is pleased to be Australia's 8th capped female rugby union referee. IMAGE SUPPLIED."We are often asked for our ‘why’ as match officials which we fall back on when times get tough on or off the field," says Ella."I referee for the ongoing challenge, to constantly want to work hard and be the best referee I can be. "I thought once I stopped playing that I wouldn’t find that team environment that being apart of a rugby club gives you, however being apart of NSWRRA and RA you have support everywhere you look and these people are what keep pushing you to constantly better yourself."I want to look back on my career and be proud that I gave something 110% - I appreciate all the opportunities that reffing has given me."Ella plans to work hard through the current season, which has just got underway, and hopes to officiate at the WXV Tournament to be held in October this year."I would love to be there officiating for the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup so that is my ultimate long term goal, as well at being at the next Olympics in four years' time for the Rugby Sevens."

By Colin Hodges.Nyngan trainer Rodney Robb, one of the all time greats of western area racing, with his 4 year old gelding Nannu, on Thursday, was a popular winner of the 1400 metres Nyngan RSL ANZAC Nyngan Cup.Racing before a big crowd at Nyngan, the Cobar galloper Chapel Lane led by four lengths from Toulon Factor in the $16,000 Cup with Nannu travelling off the pace.In an exciting finish, Nannu (Ken Dunbar, $3.40) won by a head from Bush Warrior (James Rogers, $9) with Chapel Lane ( Nyssa Burrells, $26) battling on for third.Another Nyngan trainer scoring a popular win was Greg O’Neill with Are You Certain in the 1200 metres Inland Petroleum & Aries Resources Tritton Benchmark 45 Handicap.Midfield to the home turn, Are You Certain ($6.50) was desperately ridden by Andrew Banks over the closing stages to win in a three way photo finish from Planet Ex (Shannen Llewellyn, $3.50 favourite) and Bonhomie (Georgina McDonnell, $5).Andrew Banks had earlier brought the Connie Greig, Dubbo trained Pahang ($2.50 to $2 favourite) from behind the leaders to win the 1100 metres Nyngan Bowling Club & Aeris Resources Tritton Class 1 Handicap by four lengths from Oh No Devon (Georgina McDonnell, $5) and A Tender Lady (Nyssa Burrells, $5).Apprenticed to Dubbo trainer Brett Robb, the winners are starting to flow for Shannen Llewellyn and she achieved a double at Nyngan with Dozen Kilpatrick and Party Stop.From the Bendemeer stables of Jane Clement, Dozen Kilpatrick ($7) finished well, out wide, to defeat the Connie Greig trained stablemates Have Mercy (Andrew Banks, $1.90 fav.) and Billy Bent Ear (Georgina McDonnell, $5.50) by over two lengths in the 900 metres Luke Smith Plumbing & Josh Lister Building Benchmark 58 Handicap.Owned by picnic jockey Tony Williams, Party Stop ($2.60 fav.) was the first leg of a double for trainer Rodney Robb when overhauling the leader Lemoni (Hannah Johnston, 2.70) to win by almost a length, with Typhoon Ginger (Ken Dunbar, $4.80) third in the 900 metres Nyngan Pharmacy & Neill Earthmoving-Max Smith Memorial Maiden Plate.

By Colin HodgesApprentice jockey Siena Grima, who won her first race on the Ridge Wilson trained Jakat at Deepwater in January, produced an outstanding ride on outsider Flying Banjo to win the 1000 metres MVC Couriers Benchmark 50 Handicap for Tamworth trainer Stephen Dixon on Saturday 21 April at Warren.D’Arpano looked likely to win when taking the lead from the other $2.80 equal favourite So Extra halfway down the home straight however Flying Banjo was finishing well from midfield.Siena Grima drove Flying Banjo ($21) along the inside rail to win by a half neck from D’Arpano (Shannen Llewellyn) with So Extra over two lengths back in third place.Apprenticed to Mel O’Gorman at Tamworth, Siena Grima has now ridden 4 winners during her relatively short career.Another young rider achieving success is Shannen Llewellyn who is apprenticed to Brett Robb at Dubbo and she has now ridden 8 winners after a double on the Robb trained Miss Italiana and Beaconsfield Joy at Warren.Leading throughout, Miss Italiana ($2 favourite) crossed the line three lengths clear of Yachtie (Andrew Banks, $5) and Oojay Capow (Mitch Stapleford, $6) in the 1400 metres Gallagher Insurance Maiden Plate.In the following race, the 1200 metres Warren IGA Maiden Plate, Beaconsfield Joy ($1.75 fav.) was headed at the top of the straight but fought back to beat Kiss The Outcast (Shayleigh Ingelse, $3.40) with The Hoff (Zoe Hunt, $10) finishing third.On a day where apprentices shone, Zoe Hunt rode a good race to win the 1200 metres Macquarie Valley Rock And Sand Benchmark 50 Handicap on the Clint Lundholm, Dubbo trained My Oddette.Quickly away, My Oddette ($3.50) then took a nice position close to the lead and finished best to account for stablemate Bupkis (Wendy Peel, $15) and the leader Bijara (Shannen Llewellyn, $3.30 fav.).Zoe Hunt after her win on Clint Lundholm-trained My Oddette. IMAGE: CLRCompleting the apprentices bonanza at Warren, Emma Ly rode her 25th winner when taking out the 1400 metres Warren Services Club Benchmark 50 Handicap on the Maree Hopkins, Cowra trained Mystic Flame.Coming from 5th on the home turn in the big field, Mystic Flame ($4.60 equal favourite) in a three way photo finish beat the Clint Lundholm trained stablemates Sin City Belle (Zoe Hunt, $8) and Hallowed Star (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $8).Preventing a clean sweep by the apprentices, Jake Pracey-Holmes had won the opening race, the 1600 metres Gordon Welsh P/L Class 1 & Maiden Plate on the Peter Sinclair , Moree trained A Bit Bazarre ($9) which led all the way to score by over two lengths from Paziah (Andrew Banks, $5.50) and Another Gift (Kelsey Lenton, $5.50).More western racing on ANZAC Day at Nyngan followed followed by Tomingley Picnics (Saturday) and Narromine (Sunday).

Shooters from across the Western Plains converged on Coonamble Clay Target Club for a weekend on the range at the 2024 Golden Grain Shoot. About 45 shooters came from clubs including Brewarrina, Lightning Ridge, Narrabri, Cobar and Warren for the competition on 13 and 14 April, which debuted in 1994. Shooters classed lowest to highest from C, B, A to AA shot clay disks flung from the 'traps,’ which sat a minimum 15 metres from the firing positions.Warren’s Charlie Banks took 1st among the AAs for the 45-target 18-metre Medley, scoring 73 out of 75 points. Coonamble's Greg Smith took 1st place for the As in the same category, scoring 72 out of 75 points. Brewarrina A-shooter Colin Betts shot a perfect score of 25 in the 25-target 15-metre Single Barrel, where shooters had a single shot to hit disks launched one at a time. Brewarrina AA Max Betts won among his grade with 26 out of 30 points in the 15-metre Double Rise, where shooters fired at 30 disks launched two at a time.Narrabri B-grader scored highest out of the ladies throughout the competition with 262 out of 280 points. Five women took part in the shoot, including two from Coonamble. Cobar’s Aiden Barraclough scored highest in the juniors with 242 points, while Max Betts took out the veterans category with 245 points. Clubs enjoyed calm shooting conditions on Saturday. PHOTO: River McCrossenCoonamble Clay Target Club Secretary, Kim Peters, said there was a wide range of winners "across the state." "There was one called the Random Winner. In each grade, people that haven't got a prize go into the draw, and there were only 17 shooters that didn't win a single prize for the weekend," Kim said."It's nice to see that stuff's spread across shooters and clubs. "We had a number of shooters being in Coonamble for the first time, which is lovely. We love seeing new people. We're a very social club." The comp's only missed one year due to COVID in 2020, according to Coonamble Clay Target Club life member Rick Murray, although he said this year was a “bit light on numbers.” “I think it’s just a sign of the times. A lot of shoots are way down on numbers. We’re lucky at Coonamble Clay Target Club, their numbers are still pretty well up compared to other clubs,” Rick said. “Things have tightened up a little bit.  “Financially, the shells got a little bit expensive. And then the travelling, accommodation, a lot of chaps bring their caravans and things like that. It’s just one of those things.” Coonamble and Orange shooters also faced off that weekend in an inter-town competition to take home the Fire and Ice Shield.  “‘Fire and Ice' they call it, because it’s very hot here,” Rick said. “And of course it’s so cold down there." “Whoever shoots the best scores, they take the trophy back home.” This time it was Orange who won the bragging rights. Orange Clay Target Club brought nine shooters, including two AAs and three Cs, to Coonamble’s six. The local club had three AAs, although none of them reached a 1st or 2nd place.