By Tallon Smith

The Dubbo CYMS have avenged last year’s loss to Forbes with a 25-12 win over the Mudgee Dragons in the Peter McDonald Premiership Grand Final at Apex Oval on Sunday.

The CYMS, whose charge was spearheaded by fullback Jeremy Thurston, who finished with a try, four goals and a field goal, saw off a determined Mudgee side, who were without suspended captain-coach Clay Priest for the biggest game of the year.

Dubbo CYMS President Nick Sykes said that the encounter was a “tough game” between the respective Group 10 and 11 Premiers.

“I think 13 points is a fair reflection of the game,” he said.

“They threw a hell of a lot at us, and in the end our defence won us the Grand Final.

“The boys defended themselves to a premiership, that’s for sure.”

Sykes also spoke of the immense performances of some of his stars, with Jeremy Thurston proving “enormous” for the Dubbo side.

“Big Jez probably saved his best two games of the year for the Semi Final and Grand Final,” he said.

“Our forwards did their best and gave him a bit of space.

“Jarryn Powyer played 80 minutes in the front row and won man of the match, [while] Mitch Cleary played both hooker and five-eighth after Alex Bonham [CYMS hooker] Claude Gordon [five-eighth] went down.”

After winning the Peter McDonald Premiership title, the CYMS unfortunately followed the lead of the Thirroul Butchers (Illawarra Premiers) in pulling out of the end of season Presidents Cup competition, citing a range of factors as to why they were unable to field a side.

“I’m not against the idea, the concept [Presidents Cup] has its merits,” Sykes said.

“For us, we found out on the Tuesday that the game was on Saturday.”

“A lot of players had already committed to the Indigenous Knockout in Walgett.

“I don’t know what the answer is, whether [maybe] it’s a [move to the] preseason.”

The Presidents Cup Final will be played between Maitland and St Marys at Commbank Stadium on Sunday.

Group 2: Woolgoolga get first ever premiership win

The Woolgoolga Seahorses have made history by winning the club’s inaugural First Grade title with a 26-10 win over the South Grafton Rebels at the International Stadium in Coffs Harbour.

Led by two-try hero Shayde Perham, ‘Woopi’, as they are affectionately known to locals, ran in five tries to two in the match, to seal a comprehensive victory.

Sione Fangupo, Bailey Connor and Dane O’Hehir also crossed the line for Woolgoolga, with Tyler Murden adding three goals to the tally.

Despite making three Grand Finals since 1983, Woolgoolga had always fallen at the final hurdle, losing to Coffs Harbour in that year, Nambucca Heads in 1992, and Orara Valley in 2008.

However, this time around it was the Seahorses’ day, with the club lifting the title to the roar of hundreds of fans in the black, white and blue.

Group 3: Pirates see off Shark attack to take title

The Old Bar Pirates have won the 2023 Group 3 Premiership after they defeated the Port Macquarie Sharks in the decider played before a large crowd at the Port Macquarie Regional Stadium.

Led by doubles to both Emmanuel Solie and Simon Wise, the Pirates recovered after conceding the first try of the match to score five tries to two, with the scoreline looking a lot closer than it should have been due to a 1/5 kicking record for five-eighth Zac Butler.

The win is Old Bar’s first top grade premiership since 1999, breaking a 24 year drought which was the longest in the competition.

Group 7: Gerringong score late try to defeat Shellharbour in tense decider

The Gerringong Lions have won a tense Group 7 decider with a late try to defeat the Shellharbour Sharks 12-10.

After the Sharks halfback Isaac Morris crossed for a try off a kick deflection to give the Sharks a 10-6, the Lions looked to be facing the same fate as last year, when they lost the Grand Final to Warilla.

However, prop Alex Weir trailed through on a delicate grubber to dive on the ball underneath the posts and deliver the Lions the 2023 title 12-10 after an easy conversion.

George Tooke Shield: Boorowa break 40-year drought

The Boorowa Rovers have sensationally ended a 40-year drought by winning the George Tooke Shield with a 22-8 defeat of the Crookwell Green Devils at Memorial Oval.

Led by Cooper Cross, who finished with a personal haul of 12 points through three goals and a try, the Rovers sent their half of the capacity crowd into raptures with the victory, leading to an impromptu rendition of the club song with a bin on the middle of the ground.

Jayden Cutting was also immense for the Rovers, scoring two tries in the victory, with Adam Hinds the other tryscorer for Boorowa.

Steven Cummins scored Crookwell’s lone try, with Dion Aramoana adding the conversion and Cameron Picker a penalty goal for their eight points.

The win is the Rovers’ first title since they won the Group 9 Second Division (predecessor to the Woodbridge Cup) in 1983.

Newcastle & Hunter Rugby League: Dora Creek win third straight title

The Dora Creek Swampies continued their domination of the competition with a 20-14 win over the Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs at Raymond Terrace.

Led by a brilliant performance from hooker Christopher Marlborough, who bagged a try and four goals, the Swampies saw off a strong challenge from the Cheetahs to take home the trophy.

The win marks the club’s third straight title and their fourth in the past five seasons in the competition.

Cover image credit: Nick Sykes