By Tallon Smith

The Leeton Greenies have moved up to fourth place on the Group 20 ladder after a 30-18 win over the Griffith Black and Whites at Leeton No.1 Oval on Sunday.

The four point swing from the win sees the Greenies leapfrog the Black and Whites in their battle to host the Elimination Final in three weekends’ time.

Centre Billy Dickinson opened the scoring for the Greenies before Mosese Naliva and Paula Naidike crossed to put the Black and Whites ahead 10-4 going into the break.

Dickinson crossed for his second to open the second half, followed by fullback Kaijen Johnson to regain the lead for Leeton 12-10.

Greenies five-eighth Shan Bradbrook was next to get in on the tryscoring action, followed by winger Jesse Watson who extended Leeton’s lead to 24-10.

The Black and Whites hit back though, with prop Brodie Mirtschin crossing for a four pointer, followed by another to Mason Payne which narrowed the gap to 6 points at 24-18.

It was to be Leeton’s day however with Dickinson crossing to complete his hat-trick and continue his stellar form in 2024 as the Greenies recorded their eighth win of the season.

Meanwhile, the Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters kept pace with Yenda in equal first with a 60-22 victory over Tullibigeal-Lakes United at the Darlington Point Sportsground.

Second-rower Robbie Simpson Jr. crossed for a remarkable four tries in the Roosters’ win, while centre Jack Lyons nabbed a brace along with fullback Josh Veivers, who also kicked eight goals for a personal haul of 24 points.

The Yenda Blueheelers joined the Roosters and Greenies in the winners’ circle with a 52-6 triumph against West Wyalong at Ron Crowe Oval.

Isaiah Buerckner-Little starred again for the Blues with two tries and six goals for a total of 20 personal points, while Charlie Tiaina and Tom Sellars also scored doubles for the Yenda side.

In the final fixture of the weekend, it was the Waratahs who emerged victorious against Yanco-Wamoon in their Reserves clash at the Yanco Sportsground by 34 points to 18.

Next weekend sees a general bye across the competition, before football resumes the following weekend when Hay tackle DPC, Black and Whites host Waratahs, Yenda play Leeton, and TLU host Yanco-Wamoon in Reserves and League Tag, with West Wyalong having the bye.