Bookmakers had a tough day at the Duck Creek Picnics (Sat July 5 ) with favourites dominating the programme of 6 races, and punters coming out on top. More than 6,000 people attended the big day.Local veteran Nyngan trainer Rodney Robb had race fans cheering when his 4 year old brown gelding broke through for his maiden win in the opening race.Punters backed Ben My Friend into $1.90 favourite and journeyman jockey Todd Bailey who is a regular rider on the picnic circuit steered his mount clear by over a length to beat No Pockets and Sharkhop over the 900m.Cobar trainer Allan Prisk had success in the Open Handicap (900m) with 7 year old gelding Mr Pointer ($3.20 fav) downing narrowly Dubbo’s Billy Bent Ear and Super Hot.Gilgandra’s Kieren Hazelton mentoring Mean Girls ($1.80) snared the Class B Handicap (1250m) with jockey Ricky Blewett powering the 5 year old mare to her second win in three starts over Cooma Hut and One Command.A popular win with a number of women involved in the ownership of the horse.Dubbo trainer Connie Grieg grabbed first and second in the feature race with consistent 7 year old bay mare Blackhall Kitty ($2.60 fav ) accounting for the Nyngan Picnic Cup field by 3 lengths over I’m Scarlett and locally trained All Words.

Juniors playing for Bourke, Coonamble, Narromne, Gulargambone and Walgett will rub shoulders in Mudgee after they were picked for the Western Plains Under 11s State Gala Squad. The 18-player team was announced following the Bourke Junior Rams Gala Day on Sunday 22 June, where over 40 talented young rugby players trialled for a spot. They will face regional and metropolitan teams from zones across the state on 19-20 July. "Obviously distance is an issue for playing any sort of sport in this part of the world, so the group with the under elevens will go to Mudgee on the Friday before and do some training," Western Plains zone president Tim Whiteley said. "They'll meet each other and have a bit of fun, grab a jersey and then roll into the tournament on the Saturday and Sunday." The two-day competition will involve 30 teams, with Western Plains playing six games.The action at the gala day. IMAGE: Bourke Rams Junior Union ClubThey'll hope for a warmer tournament than the under 13s side played at Orange in early June, where freezing temperatures forced some players off the field. The under 12s squad will play their state gala in Forster-Tuncurry at around mid-July after the initial date on the June long weekend was postponed due to flooding. Mr Whiteley says fresh rugby union players are coming into the younger grades, with hopes that the zone will be able to field sides from under 11s to 14s in 2026. "Western Plains kids in their families and their parents, their commitment to sport in general, to travel and be involved, to give their kids the opportunity to experience rugby and be involved, is the highlight," Mr Whiteley said. The 2025 Western Plains Under 13s squad is: Jack Welsh (Gulargambone)Digby Flinn (Macquarie Emus)Ted Robertson (Narromine)Oliver Goldsmith (Gulargambone)Jaggar Smith (Narromine)Albert Anderson (Narromine)Sonny Bowden (Bourke)Bede Redden (Narromine)Edward Heckendorf (Macquarie Emus)Alex Roberts (Narromine)George Denston (Macquarie Emus)Oliver Van Boheemen (Walgett)Jessica Timmins (Walgett)Franco Mostert (Bourke)Archie Andrews (Coonamble)Patrick Stanley (Narromine)William Birtles (Gulargambone)Porshca Peters (Gulargambone)

The table topping Coolah Kangaroos and the second placed Coonabarabran Unicorns are set to thrash it out next Saturday 28 June in a game that should draw one of the biggest crowds in recent times to the Coonabarabran Sportsground.The ‘Roos are unbeaten thus far in 2025, but they can expect that they will have to work hard to maintain that status against the Unicorns who have only suffered the one defeat in the opening eight rounds of the competition, that being a two-point loss to the Cobar Roosters at Cobar back in round three.Both teams had strong wins last weekend with Coolah retaining the Boronia Cup when they saw off the challenge from the Gulgong Bull Terriers with an emphatic 52 to 12 victory at Coolah.The Unicorns were too good for the Coonamble Bears, converting a 14 points to nil lead at half time into a 36 to 10 win with five of their seven tries being scored by their players numbered one to five which gives an indication as to their willingness to spread the ball in attack.The Dunedoo Swans returned to the winners list when they downed the Warren Bulldogs 40 points to 30 in a high scoring game played out at Warren.Apart from what should be great clash at Coonabarabran some other interesting games are on offer throughout the Castlereagh area this coming Saturday.Not the least of these will be the game at Narromine’s Cale Oval when the third placed Jets host the equal fourth placed Cobar Roosters and with the race for a semi final berth hotting up the precious competition points on offer should ensure an entertaining game unfolds.Similarly, the desire to stay in the semi final hunt means that the game to be played at Coonamble, between the Bears and the Bull Terriers from Gulgong will be a willing affair, and whilst not life threatening to the loser, not getting the competition points will make it just that little harder for the loser.Whilst it will not be a top of the table clash at Baradine this Saturday, in fact it will be a battle of the two teams situated at the opposite end of the ladder.The game between the Magpies and the Warren Bulldogs is expected to be hard fought as both teams go all out to secure their first win for the season.Round nine sees the commencement of the hugely popular reserve grade competition with games to be played at all venues plus at the Binnaway’s home ground, The Crater, when the Bombshells host the rather historic return of the Mendooran Tigers to the playing field, with the Tigers not having played for 40 years! Christie and Hood Castlereagh League Round 8 scoresLeague TagCoolah 40 - (Brooklyn Blackadder 3, Molly Burgess 3, Mackenzie Blackadder tries, Lisa Jones 6 goals) defeated Gulgong 4 (Imogen Hollow try).Narromine 56 - (Jacana Powell 3, Rebecca Trethowan 2, Lily Spackman, Shian Chatfield, Chloe McLean, Talitha Chatfield, Taylor McLean, Emily Fardell tries, Shian Chatfield 3, Talitha Chatfield 2, Trethowan goals) defeated Gilgandra 0. Coonamble 26 - (Temia Robinson 3, Jenni-Leigh Gatt, Shakaye Walker tries, Sam Turnbull 3 goals) defeated Coonabarabran 8 (Anthea Karavas, Emily Mathews tries). Baradine 28 (Maria Nagy 2, Stephanie Dewson, Zali Fulton, Adda Craig tries, Nagy 4 goals) defeated Cobar 14 (Brianna Watson, Taylah Good, Sophie Clark tries, Watson goal). Dunedoo 38 (Matilda Harper 2, Georgia Price 2, Chloe Brougham, Chelsea Gallagher, Shelley Cox tries, Price 5 goals) defeated Warren 12 (Mab Fuller 2, Harmonie Morris tries).Unicorns chasing down a Coonamble Bear. IMAGE: FACEBOOKCompetition ladderCoolah 24, Narromine 22, Dunedoo 20, Baradine 18, Cobar 16, Warren 16, Gulgong 12, Coonabarabran 12, Coonamble 12, Gilgandra 8.First GradeCoolah 52 (Hugh Wesley 3, Jack Piper 2, Dylon Edwards, Brian Bradshaw, Brayden Burgess, Tyler Lennox, Austin Burgess tries, Dan Lane 6 goals) defeated Gulgong 12 (John Douglas 2, Riley Cunningham tries). Coonabarabran 36 (Eddie Kuras, Sonny Bill Walker, Nick Willoughby, Brad Fuller, Sam Pickette, Sam Wilson, Luke Michael tries, Fuller 3, Walker goals) defeated Coonamble 10 (Jack Kelly, Kaleb Fernando tries, Brenton Glover goal). Cobar 60 defeated Baradine 0.Dunedoo 40 (Rory Madden 3, Will Duce, Ty Sutherland, Mana Dermott, Mack Ellis tries, Sutherland 6 goals) defeated Warren 30 (Donald Kennedy 2, Jye Day, Patty Potter, Harry Thaux, Elias Kennedy tries, Tom Potter 3 goals).Warren Senior Rugby League. [IMAGE: facebook]Competition Ladder Coolah 24, Coonabarabran 22, Narromine 19, Gulgong 18, Cobar 18, Coonamble 16, Dunedoo 14, Warren 11, Baradine 9.Round 9 Saturday 28 JuneCoonabarabran V Coolah,Narromine V Cobar.Coonamble v Gulgong.Baradine V Warren.Gilgandra V Dunedoo (League Tag)Binnaway V Mendooran (Reserve grade. 1.00pm kick offCheck club socials and local media to confirm game times.

Greyhound Racing NSW says Coonamble's annual October Carnival will not go ahead in 2025, less than two months after the industry body confirmed it would.Communication was received late on Friday 20 June from GRNSW that the annual Gold Cup Carnival would not be allowed to proceed.This was followed on Saturday 21 June by a media release from GRNSW confirming that "the famous October long weekend carnival at Coonamble, an institution in NSW Greyhound racing for half-a-century, has run its last race."The GRNSW statement said "support for the carnival had been withdrawn and as such the Carnival won't progress in 2025."The body's new CEO Steve Griffin said "poor communication" led him to incorrectly tell media in May that the 2025 October carnival would run. "The decision was made in February/March this year, and I admit that due to poor communication to me from my team during the handover of the CEO role in March, there was confusion on the matter, and the incorrect information was conveyed by our media team," Mr Griffin said in a letter to The Coonamble Times on Friday 20 June. Mr Griffin took over from Acting CEO Wayne Billett, who was in role after Ron Macaulay resigned in July 2024.Then Acting CEO for GRNSW Wayne Billett, at the Coonamble Gold Cup Carnival in October 2024."GRNSW is embarking on a Racing Optimisation Footprint as all stakeholders in the industry understand we have too many racetracks to be sustainable and viable in the future." Mr Griffin this week claimed there were safety concerns around the Coonamble track, citing a greyhound death at the 2024 carnival, and that an audit in January 2025 found it would cost $800,000 to bring up to standard. He said the cost "could not be justified" without local council funding. Coonamble Greyhound Racing President Graham Pickering said the audit was "nitpicking." "Everyone's disappointed about it here, and especially after they send us an email in writing telling us that that it was all going ahead," Mr Pickering. "Sponsors and everything had all been contacted. "We've already even got some who put them put their sponsorship money in the bank."Some of the crowd at the 2024 Coonamble Carnival. He also said that the club did not receive a copy of the audit until Saturday morning 21 June, after the announcement, and weren't provided an opportunity to find solutions. Barwon MP Roy Butler expects to raise the matter in the NSW Parliament next week. "I have had multiple assurances from Greyhound Racing NSW that the October Carnival was going ahead. And that after, GRNSW would come to Coonamble to discuss future possibilities," Mr Butler said on social media on Friday. "I have been given information late this afternoon that is inconsistent with what I was told by the CEO. I will be following this up as a priority." The backflip follows a summit held in Sydney on 27 and 28 May to discuss and plan for the future of the industry with Greyhound Racing NSW.

Cheered on by his big supporter base in Tottenham and Dubbo, Campbell Hall has achieved the incredible in one of the world’s most gruelling motor bike races.After being 8th in the Prologue, the lead up race, he finished second in the notorious Finke Desert Race steering a KTM 500.The 464 kilometre trip from Alice Springs to Finke and return ran from 6 to 9 June and had its obstacles.Motorbike racing needs a cool and calculated mind-set, animals of all types surround the long trek, but Hall knew he could get this. Riding motor bikes since he was just 3, Hall credits riding on dirt off-road tracks around Tottenham to his success on tough dirt terrain.  He is a mechanic by profession and now based in Dubbo.Hall had a crash during prologue coming round a corner and slamming against the tough mound of dirt but in a race not for the faint-hearted he says giving up wasn't an option."I just got back up and straight up and kept going.’’ Rain also taunted riders on the way.Campbell Hall (right) celebrates with winner Corey Hammond and 3rd place getter Brodie Waters. [IMAGE: Finke Desert Race Photography]Even though just 19 years old, Campbell had done this before.He was 11th last year but knew this year would be better. "I get fit with some gym work and plenty of practice. I did this last year so was confident all would be good.’’It was - and Hall is celebrating his run of 3:57.58 and the massive improvement on his 2024 race.Northern Territorian Corey Hammond beat Campbell Hall by 11 minutes in 3 hours 46 minutes 30 seconds making him ‘King of the Desert’.‘’It was nice gap and this is a dream come true,’’ Hammond said.Also on the marathon journey were cars and buggies.But the Finke Desert race wasn't without incident, 43 people were injured during the torrid race to the finish.Some were taken to hospital, proof nothing is easy in an event of this nature.‘’I am going back again that was fantastic," says Hall."I have to thank my family, Dubbo City Motorcycles and community in Dubbo and Tottenham."

Coming from far flung places has never made it easy for the Wiradjuri Goannas but they have won three Western Women’s Rugby League competitions in its nine year history.Susanne Egan, Secretary of the Goannas, says it's all about their competitive nature and their season beginning was impressive at Dubbo’s Apex Oval Sunday June 15.‘’Players come together from Walgett, Narromine and Forbes to play and they have great desire," she said."It was game one for us, Orange CYMS had played a match so they pushed us right to the wire."Multi-skilled Sienna Sullivan who has played at the state level in rugby union scored the Goannas' only try in a torrid 4-all draw with Orange CYMS.CYMS lost to Mudgee 12-8 in their opening encounter.‘’We were will match fit and train on match day but they are combination of Bathurst Playtipi and Orange Vipers players, so they were hard to beat,’’ Susanne said.The tackle competition is now on in winter and is played with grade matches in the Peter McDonald Premiership and games shortened in an aim to promote women’s tackle before bigger crowds.‘’Not all players are happy with the transition to Summer and it has big opposition from Women’s League Tag,’’ Ms Egan said. "But there are more eye balls on the women’s game now."League Tag in the region is booming with players from 7 to 16 playing, it’s a big plus for the sport.‘’Some mums and dads want their kids to play League Tag because it has little impact on their bodies and let's face it boys have stronger early strength to overcome tackle injuries.’’The Castlereagh Cougars debut against the Goannas on June 22.In the men’s Peter McDonald Premiership, Nyngan played out a thriller losing 20-18 to last placed Bathurst Panthers.

Narromine born Charlie Murray has followed in the current footsteps of Warren’s Fletcher Hunt and made his debut in the NRL on the weekend but he has travelled a very different road to get there.The replacement lock played his first match in poor weather on Sunday 8 June making some impact for Wests Tigers versus Penrith.Murray's statistics showed 5 hit-ups, 12.6 post contact metres, running a total of 34 metres and making 20 tackles.Murray is the ultimate rugby league journeyman, working his way up while also working a full-time job as a stockbroker.The 23-year-old has played in the NSW, Queensland and Victorian systems."I learned a lot from Craig Bellamy, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster at the Melbourne Storm."He moved to the Gold Coast from Melbourne and now to Sydney.This season Murray is playing on a 'train and trial' basis.On Sunday his partner and parents were in the grandstand sporting Charlie Murray T-shirts to celebrate his NRL debut.‘’They were excited to see my first game, my father has been supportive, a great mentor," he said.‘’He has been patient like me, waiting for this opportunity. They have ridden the high and lows with me.’’His stockbroking career will go on the back-burner for now with Murray saying he is "Happy to do that to achieve our dreams."The Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall elevated him into the side announcing his name on Tuesday last week. "I was sitting with the other players when he announced my name, I was surprised and a bit excited."His side lost 18-14 to Penrith and Coach Marshall said he was disappointed with the result and said some on field decisions cost the Tigers the match.Murray should know this afternoon if he is in the side for the Tigers' next match-up against the second place Canberra Raiders.

Thousands of lawn bowlers take to the greens all over NSW every day and being selected from the bush is no easy task but State Selectors have picked Condoblin’s rising star Danielle Thompson to compete against Australia’s best in Cabramatta in June.It came off a runner up performance with a proud mum in the state Champions of Champions Pairs at Cabramatta and Merrylands.“I was proud to play with mum it was a great feeling, and I helped her on the way, so to be second in the state was exciting."Mum Cathy said it was an honour to be play with her daughter, while Dad Laurie congratulated both, saying ‘’They were fabulous full credit to them.’’‘’Dad likes to take credit for mentoring me and suppose I did learn a few things.’’ Danielle said.She plays at Condoblin Sports Club and gets plenty of support ‘’ I have only been playing the sport for 4 years and learned lots playing social bowls and it went from there.’’‘’The club is fantastic and will be cheering for me.’’Danielle during a recent bowling trip. [IMAGE SUPPLIED]Danielle is also talented at Netball playing at the state level and was picked for NSW Bowls in 2024 ‘’I went a bit MIA last year but going to go harder this time and will give it a real crack.’’To see Danielle in action when the NSW teams play on June 21 and 22 at Cabramatta, matches will be live steamed here.

Queensland raider Al Ash Lad ridden a daring race by Dubbo jockey Georgina McDonnell, won the Westpac Cobar Cup before a very big crowd on Saturday 31 May at Cobar.Trained at Cunnamulla by Monique Gavin, Al Ash Lad was taken straight to the lead in the 1700 metres Cup by Georgina McDonnell and had established a five lengths break well before the home turn.   Appearing vulnerable in the straight, Al Ash Lad ($6) was kept balanced by McDonnell and fought on grimly to win by over 2 lengths from Il Tevere (Billy Cray, $5) and Pahang (Wendy Peel, $2.60 favourite).Scone trainer Nikki Pollock has been bringing strong teams to western area meetings this season and she landed a winning treble at Cobar with Cooma Hut, Joanesski and Hit Song.Cooma Hut (Billy Cray, $1.80 favourite) had good TAB form and after tracking the leaders was a five lengths winner of the 1000 metres Broughton Field Services & Cynend Building Maiden Plate from the Wayne Prisk, Cobar trained Uncle Alf (Nyssa Burrells, $12) and Tiny Missile (Zoe Hunt, $7).The in form Dubbo apprentice Zoe Hunt followed a double at Brewarrina and another winner at Bathurst with 2 winners, Joanesski and Hit Song for Nikki Pollock at Cobar.Leading all the way Joanesski ($2.30 favourite) lasted to beat Mihrimah (Andrew Banks, $10) by a short half head with Lost Media (Ken Dunbar, $17) third in the DJW Contracting & Sullivans Mining & Industrial Benchmark 58 Handicap.In the 1200 metres Cobar Cranes & Nutrien Russell Ag Solutions Benchmark 50 Handicap, Zoe Hunt and Nikki Pollock completed a good day when Hit Song ($3.20 favourite.) finished best to beat the leader Loud (Ken Dunbar, $4.40) and Rylstone Rocket (Nyssa Burrells, $15).Another Dubbo jockey riding with plenty of recent success is Wendy Peel who brought the Connie Greig trained Blackhill Kitty ($4.40) with a well timed run from midfield to account for Maralago (Zoe Hunt, $6) and Benyatta (Nyssa Burrells, $4.60) in the 1370 metres BK Civil Group & Pryce Mining Services Benchmaark 45 Handicap.The winner of 3 races when taken to King Island over summer by Forbes trainer Bill Hayes, Gypsy King won the 1200 metres Tyre Doctor and Civil Industries Class 1 Handicap at Cobar.Promising apprentice Caine Stuart who has transferred to the Brett Robb stable at Dubbo, was in the saddle on Gypsy King ($10) which burst through the pack from last to score by over a length from One Command (Billy Cray, $4.40) and Party Prophet (Ken Dunbar, $4 favourite).The 9 bookmakers operating at Cobar reported well above average turnover figures at Cobar which is now highly rated amongst country clubs with outstanding facilities and meticulous racecourse presentation.

The remarkable career of Warren’s rugby league rookie took a sudden turn in an amazing second half comeback by the lowly placed Newcastle Knights on Thursday night 5 June.Trailing by a 16 point deficit things looked grim against a dominant Manly Sea Eagles . His side produced a stunning second half turn around sparked by some Fletcher Hunt magic, winning 26 to 22 in golden point extra time.On 54 minutes Jack Cogger launched a bomb from 40 metres out and Fletcher Hunt flew through the air to take the catch then raced away for the Knights' second try. Hunt left Clayton Faulalo clutching at thin air and brought the home fans to their feet as the home team continued its revival. Dane Gagai converts. The Warren winger grabbed the ball from mid-air to scorch over and the atmosphere was palpable in the stands at James McDonald Stadium.It rattled Manly and eventually the match went into golden point sudden death at 22 all. Then on 83 minutes the Knights went left on the last tackle and Kalyn Ponga launched a bomb.Fletcher Hunt jumps Afl style to set up Newcastle's second try. [IMAGE: NRL]Fletcher Hunt flew above the pack and tapped the ball back to Ponga who raced away for the match-winner. The Knights have completed a stunning comeback from 16-0 down to win 26-22 - their biggest comeback since 2007.It arrested a slide down the ladder for Newcastle who now are in striking distance of the eight.Fletcher Hunt told Channel 9 ‘’It was unreal."The bush rookie told TV viewers how he loved playing with his team mates and wanted to stay at Newcastle."I would love to stay with the Knights into the future, learn more and I am enjoying the game."In just his 4th NRL game the Warren Bulldog endeared himself to fans recalling his days in his hometown “It was all about fishing and footy, hope everybody in Warren was watching and had a beer cheering for me.’’

Jockeys and horses have avoided disaster in a sensational opening to Warren’s big 9 race program today, Monday 2 June with a Kangaroo jumping in front of the closely packed field at the 400m mark.The danger was apparent to winning jockey Jake Pracey Holmes in the 2400m Stayers Handicap.‘’I saw the roo out of the corner of my eyes and yelled to the others ‘here we go, here we go’," he said."I just had to handle it and push the old bloke to the line.’’Pracey Holmes won the first two races at Warren.Will To Excel, a 9 year old gelding trained by Hawkesbury trainer James Ponsonby, scored his 8th win at $26 narrowly over Joshua for Dubbo trainer Connie Greig.  "I did the see skippy bounding through the field and I was concerned," said Ponsonby, who formerly trained in the west."I just said to myself hang on, hang on.’’A snip from the race video shows the kangaroo facing down oncoming horses. SOURCE: RacingNSWIts not uncommon to see kangaroos on race tracks in the Western Plains and central west.A trotting meeting was held up at Bathurst when a roo jumped the fence.Stewards at Warren today quickly did an inspection of the track after the near calamity, ensuring no harm could come to horses and riders in later races.A second kangaroo appeared before Race 4 delaying the race start but was diverted from joining the race.Watch the whole race on Racing NSW website here.

Just before the undefeated Narromine first grade unit came out to play on Saturday 31 May, the CSU Mitchell second grade side were monstered by the Gorillas 107-15 and you could have not blamed them for thinking about another big loss.First grade began and on the back of rolling early penalties Narromine were gathering momentum and soon centre Angus McKenzie surged through a gap on the left edge opening the Bathurst based side with ease.It set the scene for the remainder of the game.Gorillas defended strongly and on 14 minutes they had a second 5 pointer, McKenzie again dominant in the midfield moving to the right edge 17- nil.Justin Bennett was on the board next accepting a bullet-like pass and storming for the line.Evan Truscott extended the lead and fly half John Corderoy made it 42 nil and it appeared to look ugly for the College based opposition at half time.Dan Lethbridge held up a perfectly timed pass for another try and Captain Dan Battersly was over next into the second forty and Narromine were having a day of it. Alexander Heap was strong kicking conversions.The second grade side scored 108 points.But just when the floodgates opened the enthusiastic Mitchell side got a second wind and spreading the ball wide they hustled over the line for an intercept try.Full-back Evan Truscott snuffed any comeback in the end racing over and despite mid game stammers Narromine had continued its unbeaten run."We were sound and solid but there is improving to do,’’ said Skipper Battersly."We didn’t play our best footy in the second half but we will improve."The side is in good form and they were trying hard to ruffle us."The second grade’s imposing win set up a 165 point scoring romp thatt has Narromine second on the ladder. 

Two players from the Sydney Swans will touch down in Lake Cargelligo today, 1 June as part of a visit by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). AFLW young gun Zipporah 'Zippy' Fish and AFL Rising Star nominee Errol Gulden will land in a C-130 Hercules at the local aerodrome on Sunday and pass the ball with budding footy legends. Eighteen-year-old Ms Fish said she was "excited" to see the area for the first time. "I've been probably just as far as Blacktown," the West Australian said when asked how far west she's been in NSW. "We'll just be kicking around with the community. "We'll bring some merch up and then just hang out and sign some things."Mr Gulden inked a four-year extension to his contract with the Swans in 2024. IMAGE: Sydney Swans Eighteen-year-old Ms Fish was drafted to the Swans top team in 2024.Her counterpart Mr Gulden debuted with the club in the opening round of the 2021 season, the same year he was nominated for Rising Star. He also won the AFL Players Association award for the best first-year player. The 22-year-old midfielder picked up the AFL minor premiership with Sydney in 2024. Event goers will also have the chance to tour the Hercules, wear a bomb suit, pilot a bomb disposal robot and chat to Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. "We're just out to be doing community engagement events, so get our people out to share the different job roles that we do have," said Sergeant Ron Schultz, an Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Indigenous Liaison Officer. Organisers say they aim for the C-130J to make a low-level pass over the airfield at around 10am before opening for public display until 12:30pm. 

Cobar trainer Allan Prisk goes into his hometown Cup full of confidence this coming Saturday.The knock-about local says it is great to be on local sands giving him the advantage."It’s just a walk down the hill to the track for a change, last week had to travel to Wagga six hours so I could trial one so being home is going to be good," he said.Prisk has three horses in the Cobar Cup, the feature race over 1200m."Chapel Lane did not get a clear run at Quambone but if we get a good draw he can go well."Sellente trialled at Wagga. He can be fractious but on best Victorian form is a big chance."The Cobar legend chases a hat trick of Cobar Cup wins and ‘"would love to do it again."Allan’s 7-year-old gelding Mr Pointer loves the Cobar track, already winning twice."He was good at Bourke over 800m and a step up in distance on his home track is right in the Benchmark 58 over 1000m.’’The Cobar track is in top order for this weekend's meeting. IMAGE SUPPLIED.Prisk has 11 horses in his stable and all but one will go round on Saturday."A Tender Lady is a nice mare in the Class 1 over 1200m and she was good at Quambone last time winning," he said,Cobar race day secretary Jarrod Marden says it will be a big day Saturday."It’s a popular meeting and nominations are fantastic,’’ he said."The Fashions on the Field has $5,000 in prizes and the marquee is booked out, jumping castle for the kids and face painting too."

Injuries have hit the Nyngan Tigers hard so far this season but their campaign is far from over with close-run efforts against top sides.Local expert Trevor Woodhouse says this Sunday the Tigs at home can bounce back."We’re far from done and dusted," said Woodhouse."A strong performance against Dubbo Macquarie Raiders proved we are very competitive, losing 38-28 in a high scoring match."Loma Atua scored 4 times for Nyngan. "Big effort from Loma he is a tough second rower and is in form."Loma sits third on the competition try-scoring list."Rory Quarmby is having a great year at prop, and captain James Tuithu is also firing.’’Nyngan has the home advantage Sunday but faces a 'pumped-up‘ Orange Hawks team that dominated Lithgow Workies 42-6.Hawks cut Workies up the middle with big runs and Nyngan on their home deck will need to be at their best to lift their position from tenth on the ladder.In other matches Nyngan lost League Tag 28-6, Chloe McCarthy crossing for the Tigerettes. Under 18’s were out classed 60-6 and Reserve Grade 26-8 to Dubbo Macquarie, Simon Bartley and Jamal Smith scoring points for the Tigers.In the first grade competition defending premiers Mudgee beat a gallant Orange CYMS 34-24, Forbes beat Dubbo CYMS 19-18 , Wellington romped home against Parkes and in-form Bathurst St Pats downed Bathurst Panthers 30-16.

At the end of their Christie and Hood Castlereagh League match played at Coonamble between the hometown Bears and the visiting Narromine Jets the two teams were inseparable, well at least on the scoreboard that was the case.The Jets had largely enjoyed having the lead throughout most of the game, the score being 24 to 10 in their favour at half time and 32 to 16 at one stage during the second stanza.However, the never say die attitude of the Grizzlies again came to the fore and they scored the final 16 points in the game to see the two teams shaking hands with the scoreboard reading 32 all.Gulgong v CobarAfter last week’s unbelievable finish at Gulgong, when the Bull Terriers came from behind to register an incredible win over the Dunedoo Swans, the home side supporters once again had to endure a very tight finish to the game, this time being against the Cobar Roosters.Two tries to the Terrier’s front rower Blake Gorrie in the opening 16 minutes of the game followed soon after with another to their centre Toby O’Leary saw the home side looking good at 14 points to nil.But two Rooster tries, one scored by their lock Tadgh McMullen just before the half time break, and another by his lock and brother Oisin just after the resumption of play had the Roosters well and truly back in the game, trailing by just two points, 14 to 12.The Terriers responded and were able to stretch the scoreboard out to what looked to be a comfortable 26 to 12 advantage with the clock ticking down.However, two converted tries to the Roosters in the final five minutes gave the Terrier players and their supporters some cause for concern, and the sounding of the fulltime hooter bought them much relief after yet another tense finish at Billy Dunn Oval.Baradine v CoonabarabranThere were no less than 16 tries scored at Baradine in their local derby clash against the Coonabarabran Unicorns.Unfortunately for the Magpies they could only claim five of them in what was a free-flowing affair, the final score being 56 to 28 with the Unicorns centre Brad Fuller crossing the stripe four times as well as landing 4 goals for a personal tally of 24 points.Gulgong Terriers' Blake Gorrie scoring against Cobar last Saturday. IMAGE: Col Boyd Photography.Dunedoo v CoolahAt Dunedoo the Swans became another statistic for Coolah Kangaroos being well beaten 46 to 4 and they will have their work cut out for them this Saturday when they travel out to take on the Roosters at Cobar.The Swans were going quite nicely in the competition until mid-way through the second half of their game against Gulgong in round 4 and since then they have conceded some 80 points and scored just four.Next RoundThe Roosters are always hard at home and unless the Swans address their defensive deficiencies in a hurry it could well be a long trip home for the green and whites.The Boronia Cup is on the line at Coolah when the Kangaroos will be defending the silverware for the seventh time, on this occasion against the Baradine MagpiesThe Jessica Skinner Challenge Cup will also be played for this Saturday when the Narromine Jets host Gulgong with the first-grade game shaping as the match of the round.The Coonamble Bears will be hoping that their good recent form continues when they travel down to Warren to take on the Bulldogs, with the home side hoping to make a statement in front of their supporters after what has been a tough comeback to the Castlereagh League competition so far this year.Coonabarabran and Gilgandra will play in league tag at Coonabarabran on Friday night.Christie and Hood Castlereagh League – Round 5 scoresLeague TagWarren 44 (Mab Fuller 4, Katina Darcy 2, Jayarnah Hammond, Brodie Boyd, Taylah Reid tries, Maddie Marks 4 goals) defeated Gilgandra 4 (Skye Doherty try.)              Coolah 36 (Molly Burgess 2, Brooklyn Blackadder, Jasmine Thompson, Mackenzie Blackadder, Monika Mitreveska tries, Tori Mogg 6 goals) defeated Dunedoo 28 (Matilda Harper 2, Meg Christensen, Chelsea Gallagher, Geogia Price tries, Price 4 goals.)               Baradine 40 (Savannah Carey 2, Zali Fulton 2, Jorja Carey, Suzannah Carey, Jalika Leslie, Paula Evans tries, Adda Craig 2 goals) defeated Coonabarabran 0.Narromine 62 (Emily Fardell 3, Shian Chatfield 2, Briana Davis 2, Hannah Towns 2, Kiana Cross, Abbie Mitchell, Lily Spackman, Reaghan Chatfield tries, Shian Chatfield 7 goals) defeated Coonamble 10 (Jenni-Leigh Gatt, Shakaye Walker tries, Walker goal).Gulgong 18 (Kirsty Simpson, Gabby Wiltshire, Lolly Tumpey tries, Claire Bodiam 2, Tumpey goals) defeated Cobar 14 (Bridgette Negfeldt, Teresita Turner, Neve Carter tries, Brianna Watson goal).Competition ladderCoolah 15, Baradine 13, Narromine 13, Dunedoo 11, Cobar 11, Warren 9, Gulgong 9, Coonabarabran 7, Coonamble 7, Gilgandra 5.First GradeCoolah 46 (Dylon Edwards 2, Jack Piper, Dan Lane, Casey Burgess, Chanse Burgess, Austin Burgess, Hugh Wesley tries, Lane 7 goals) defeated Dunedoo 4 (Jack Guan try).               Coonabarabran 56 (Brad Fuller 4, Jordan Baker 2, Eddie Kuras, Sonny Bill Walker, Cody Howe, Orlando Kershaw, Tyrone Walker tries, Fuller 4, Walker 2 goals) defeated Baradine 28 (Lane Hawkins 2, Allan Riley, Liam Fernando, Cameron Worrell tries, Fernando 4 goals).               Coonamble 32 (Dwayne McEwen 2, Mitch Nalder 2, Nathan Thurston, Earl Anderson tries, Brenton Glover 4 goals) drew with Narromine 32 (Corey Cox 3, Todd Edmunds, Daine Cox, Logan Conn tries, Corey Cox 4 goals).               Gulgong 26 (Blake Gorrie 2, Brad James, Toby O’Leary, Thomas Reddish tries, James 3 goals) defeated Cobar 24 (Oisin McMullen, Tadgh McMullen, Koby Knight, James McMullen tries, Thomas Plater 4 goals).               Warren bye.Competition Ladder Coolah 15, Coonabarabran 13, Gulgong 13, Cobar 11, Coonamble 10, Narromine 10, Dunedoo 9, Baradine 7, Warren 7.Round 6 Friday 30 May @ 8.00pm - Coonabarabran V Gilgandra (League Tag).Saturday 31 MayCobar V Dunedoo.Coolah V Baradine (Boronia Cup Challenge).Warren V Coonamble.Narromine V Gulgong (Jessica Skinner Cup Challenge).Check club socials and local media to confirm game times.

Fletcher Hunt has proved he can play against rugby league’s best, his Newcastle Knights dominating Penrith 25-6.The Warren rookie winger combining nicely with his teams as the visitors bounced back to form against the defending premiers.Bathurst hosted the match with a record crowd attending of more than 12,000.The Knights produced block-busting runs from the get go.When Hunt look-alike Fletcher Sharpe, playing out of position at Fullback, busted Penrith wide open on 4 minutes it set off an avalanche of tries.For Sharpe a man of the match performance.‘’I enjoyed it back there and the side clicked. I was able to use my speed to get through.’’Hunt chased hard jumping for high kicks but was mostly starved for possession. But second rower Dylan Lucas had plenty of the football in the midfield and after 9 minutes he scored a blistering solo try, the first of a hat trick."I was able to find gaps in their defence on the back of our strong attack," he said."We played through them and completed our offence."Lucas almost made it 4 for the first grade but dropped it over the line.24 - nil to Newcastle at half time.Penrith desperate to work back into the game did score in the second 40 but Newcastle and Fletcher Hunt held on grimly. A late field goal sealing the result.25 - 6 had Newcastle climbing back to 14th on the NRL Ladder.

Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien, under pressure himself, hopes his side can arrest the slide down the bottom of the ladder when they face Penrith at Carrington Park on Saturday night 24 May before a sell-out crowd in Bathurst."They are a structured side so we have to stay connected and present one line against them in defence because at anytime they can’t turn it on," he said.O’Brien says despite missing key players through injury and State of Origin commitments the Knights can bounce back."It's difficult when we have so many players missing at the same time but Penrith also has personnel missing so hopefully things will level out."Penrith Panthers bill this match as a home game so will have major support in the stand but with Warren’s country rookie Fletcher Hunt retaining his spot on the wing communities from his hometown and Nyngan his old side will boost Novacastrian fan base.Coach O’Brien says Hunt ‘will be better for the run’."I was very proud of him last week, he had some good moments," he said."Playing kids before they should be has been tough but Fletcher is a strong trier."Fletcher, all of 20, has again received a mountain of support in Warren and Nyngan where the local newspaper devoting almost two pages to its newest star and social media going crazy.

Nyngan Tigers were hoping to channel some inspiration from former team mate Fletcher Hunt who made his NRL debut on Friday when they met the powerhouse Dubbo CYMS on Sunday 18 May.But the Tigers were kept scoreless in earlier grades and were up against it.On their home ground The Tigers aiming to ruffle CYMS scored first.Lock Cale Dunn bustled over first on 6 minutes but dynamic Dubbo CYMS centre Jye Chapman soon levelled, dazzling for the equaliser and on 25 minutes scored again.A narrow lead earmarked by gallant Tigers defence had the first grade close during the first half but in the second forty minutes CYMS raced over twice.Nyngan winger Matty McDougall did reach over the line on 62 minutes but CYMS were tough winning 20-8.In the Peter McDonald Cup, last years premiers Mudgee won 10-4 over Lithgow Workies, Wellington beat Forbes 46-24, Orange CYMS beat Bathurst Panthers 24-16, Dubbo Macquarie downed Parkes 34-28, Bathurst St Pats 26 beat Orange Hawks 14.In other Tigers matches v CYMS, Dubbo won League Tag 34-0, Under 18s 0-56, while Reserve Grade when 34-0 to the visitors.Meanwhile former Western NSW rugby league star Isaah Yeo has been made captain of the NSW State of Origin team named the morning, Monday 19 May.NSW play QLD in the first match of the series on May 28 at Suncorp.The surprise selection is Matt King who is the grandson of former Wellington born Johnny King a former star in the Western Plains and NRL Hall of Fame inductee.