By Jamie Parsons

A very sunny winter’s day eventually turned to rain as Round 4 of Proten Cup rugby league was played out in Goolgowi on Saturday. Another very good crowd was on hand early to see six games of local rivals battling it out.

Women’s Games

The Ivanhoe Hens got their best side on the park for the first time this season, with an excellent performance giving them a 38-6 win over the Hillston Bluebirds. Top tryscorers Falesiu Chauncy-Moli and Bobbi Goolagong were standouts, with Shailyn Williams a very welcome addition, not least in her goalkicking prowess. Amber Clarke-Baldock got a very well deserved try for Hillston, with her volunteer efforts as both a committee member and a trainer (including helping other clubs) a standout in the competition.

Barellan Rams continued their undefeated streak with a 28-0 win over second placed Narrandera. Despite missing half Monique Higgins, Sophia Kelsey stepped right in with two tries and four goals herself, while Madison Morris scored a hat trick.

Goolgowi and Rankins Springs traded tries with the goalkicking of Tash Tuckett the only difference in the end. Behind 6-4 at halftime, a long range try started by Jessie Burns put Goolgowi in the lead midway through the half but a Tilly Heath break which ended with Georgia West going over from dummy half and Tash Tuckett adding the extras put the Dragonettes ahead, 12-10.

Men’s Games

An unfortunate incident in the opening men’s game between Ivanhoe & Hillston led to the game being called after twenty minutes, with Ivanhoe up 12-0 at the time. An ambulance had to be called which led to play being held up for over an hour. We wish the player all the best in their recovery. Ivanhoe’s attack looked at their most cohesive so far this season in the short amount of time played.

In the top of the table clash between Barellan and Narrandera, the Rams showed their premiership credentials with a great first half display, including two tries to Stanley Herrmann to jump out to an 18-6 lead. A Lizards try and an injury to Herrmann took the wind out of their sails a bit, with Narrandera dominating the second half despite two sin bins and captain Brayden Ingram sent off. Two tries each to Jamain Morgan and Caleb Atkinson got the Lizards up 26-18 to retake first spot and make sure they are still the team to beat in 2024.

Goolgowi ran out with their best side of the year against Rankins Springs on their home ground, showing it early with a try to Benny Mahon from dummy half having them 6-0 up at halftime. The Dragons though showed why they have the best defensive record in the competition, blocking Goolgowi out for the second half and opening their scoring through Billy Vearing & Sam Richards, before prop Jason Cronin outleapt the Goolgowi defence to claim a bomb and wrap the game up, 18-6.

Full Scores

Women’s

Ivanhoe Hens 38 (Falesiu Chauncy-Moli 2, Bobbi Goolagong 2, Niumai Serukabaivata, Kelly Pauls, Tuainekore Mare tries; Shailyn Williams 4, Kelly Pauls goals) defeated Hillston Bluebirds 6 (Amber Clarke-Baldock try; Nicola Blight goal)

Barellan Rams 28 (Madison Morris 3, Sophia Kelsey 2 tries; Sophia Kelsey 4 goals) defeated Narrandera Lizards 0

Rankins Springs Dragonettes 12 (Tash Tuckett, Georgia West tries; Tash Tuckett 2 goals) defeated Goolgowi Rabbitohs 2 (Abby Horneman, Taylor Newman tries; Jessie Burns 1 goal)

Men’s

Ivanhoe Roosters 12 (Lochyer Brennan, Shaun Aylett tries; Reginald Shepherd 2 goals) defeated Hillston Bluebirds 0

Narrandera Lizards 26 (Jamain Morgan 2, Caleb Atkinson 2, Kaijen Johnson tries; Brayden Ingram 3 goals) defeated Barellan Rams 18 (Stanley Herrmann 2, Oswald Herrmann tries; Noah Forbutt 3 goals)

Rankins Springs Dragons 18 (Billy Vearing, Sam Richards, Jason Cronin tries; Damian Walker 3 goals) defeated Goolgowi Rabbitohs 6 (Ben Mahon try; Henry Taylor goal)

Men’s Ladder

	W	L	D	F	A	PD	Pts
Narr.	3	–	1	88	56	32	7
Springs	2	–	2	64	40	24	6
Bar’n	2	1	1	106	54	52	5
I’hoe	1	1	2	56	46	10	4
H’ston	1	3	–	24	96	-72	2
Gowi	–	4	–	32	78	-46	0

Top Tryscorers – Noah Forbutt 5, Stan Herrmann 5, Caleb Atkinson 5, Jyi Romeo 3

Top Pointscorers – Noah Forbutt 42, Brayden Ingram 22, Damian Walker 20, Stan Herrmann 20, Caleb Atkinson 20

Women’s Ladder

	W	L	D	F	A	PD	Pts
Bar’n	4	–	–	150	10	140	8
I’hoe	3	1	–	78	50	28	6
Narr.	2	2	–	50	46	4	4
Rankin’s Springs	2	2	–	46	60	-14	4
Gowi	1	3	–	41	90	-49	2
H’ston	–	4	–	28	135	-107	0

Top Tryscorers – Sophia Kelsey 7, Madison Morris 5, Falesiu Chauncy-Moli 4, Bobbi Goolagong 4, Amie Fazekas 4

Top Pointscorers – Monique Higgins 38, Sophia Kelsey 36, Tash Tuckett 20, Madison Morris 20

Round 5 Preview

Our six clubs travel to Hillston this week as the teams start to look ahead towards the finals.

Women’s Games

Barellan v Rankins Springs – 10.00am

Despite the Dragonettes improvement on 2023, they will be up against it this week with a Barellan side that has scored 150 points and conceded only 10. Barellan will lock up the minor premiership with a win, while if Rankins Springs can spring an upset they will almost certainly lock up a finals spot.

Head-to-Head: Barellan 1, Rankins Springs 0

Record at Hillston

Barellan – Won 1, Lost 0

Rankins Springs – Won 1, Lost 1

Ivanhoe v Goolgowi – 10.40am

The Rabbitohs girls will be eager to get a deserved first win, going down despite a great effort at home by the smallest of margins last week. If they can’t get a win here, they are odds on to miss the finals for the first time. The Hens girls looked outstanding last week, and all depends if they manage to get their full side back on the park here. A win will lock up second spot and guarantee a major semi clash with Barellan. The Hens won big last time they met, 32-8 in Round 4 last year.

Head-to-Head: Goolgowi 2, Ivanhoe 1

Record at Hillston

Ivanhoe – Won 2, Lost 2

Goolgowi – Won 0, Lost 1

Hillston v Narrandera – 11.20am

Where else is best for a last throw of the dice than at your home ground? The Bluebirds women have looked good at times, definitely undeserving of their 0-4 record. Narrandera have also been up and down, and will hope they have all their players travel for the chance to lock up a finals spot. Hillston upset the Lizards last time they met, 20-4 in Round 2 last season.

Head-to-Head: Hillston 3, Narrandera 0

Record at Hillston

Hillston – Won 1, Lost 2

Narrandera – Won 2, Lost 1

Men’s Games

Barellan v Rankins Springs – 12.00pm

Barellan will need to put the disappointment of their first loss behind them or risk sliding further down the ladder, with only one point separating them and Ivanhoe. Their clash with the Dragons at the knockout was very close, and with both teams record so far this game shapes to be another tough grind. The Dragons will lock in a home final if they get the win this week, with first placed Narrandera unable to host the semis or prelims due to hosting the big one. Rankins Springs got their only win of 2023 last time they met, 21-20 in a classic in Round 5.

Head-to-Head: Rankins Springs 6, Barellan 1

Record at Hillston

Barellan – Won 1, Lost 5

Rankins Springs – Won 5, Lost 2

Ivanhoe v Goolgowi – 1.30pm

Last chance for Goolgowi to make the finals this week, needing to win both their last two games and hope Ivanhoe lose next week at Barellan. The Rabbitohs have had three straight close losses, showing they can mix it with the top teams in Barellan and Rankins Springs. Ivanhoe looked great before the game was called off last week, and with a win and a Hillston loss will guarantee a finals spot. The teams traded wins last year, with a 36-4 Goolgowi win at this ground followed by a 22-14 Roosters win in the minor semi final.

Head-to-Head: Goolgowi 4, Ivanhoe 3

Record at Hillston

Ivanhoe – Won 2, Lost 5

Goolgowi – Won 5, Lost 2

Hillston v Narrandera, 3:00pm

If Ivanhoe win Hillston will need to as well to keep in touch with the top 4, and they have the biggest ask to do it with first-placed Narrandera. These teams have met here once before, in Round 5 of 2018 which ended in a 42-22 win to the home side. Hillston didn’t get to show much last week but had improved in the prior weeks, getting the win v Goolgowi in Ivanhoe. Narrandera have kept finding ways not to lose, getting out of jail with a big-hearted effort in the second half against Barellan. Last time they met it was a 30-12 win in the major semi at Narrandera last season.

Head-to-Head: Narrandera 5, Hillston 2

Record at Hillston

Hillston – Won 4, Lost 3

Narrandera – Won 3, Lost 3