By Tallon Smith

In a unique occasion for rugby league in the Riverina, the Yenda Blueheelers and Narrandera Lizards will each celebrate a century of rugby league on consecutive weekends.

The Yenda club, founded in 1924 and originally known as the “Blues”, have competed in Group 20 since the competition’s inaugural season of 1954, winning seven titles in that time, in 1982, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2009.

The club will tonight hold a celebratory dinner for nearly 300 guests at the Yoogali Club, following the Centenary Celebration game at Wade Park against local rivals Griffith Black and Whites.

All five grades will play in front of what is expected to be the biggest crowd in the small but passionate rugby league town for many years.

Meanwhile, former Group 20 turned Group 17 club the Narrandera Lizards will join the Blueheelers in celebrating their centenary next weekend at the Proten Community Cup Grand Final day at Narrandera Sportsground.

The Lizards, who were formed in 1921, were unable to celebrate their centenary that year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the discovery of evidence in the National Archives of one of their first matches via research from Battlers For Bush Footy prompted the club to hold the event.

The Lizards will play in next week’s Grand Final on their home ground, aiming for a Proten Community Cup three-peat in front of their home fans on the big day to add to their previous titles in 1986, 1991 and 1999 in Group 20.

The club competed in Group 20 from 1954-1999 and 2003-04, with a stint in Group 17 from 2001-02.

The club then merged with Yanco-Wamoon to form the Bidgee Hurricanes in Group 20 from 2012-14, before de-merging for Yanco to stand alone, which paved the way for Narrandera to re-join Group 17 when it resumed play as the Proten Community Cup in 2018.

Battlers For Bush Footy offers its congratulations to both clubs on the amazing milestone and good luck for the remainder of the season.