Tallon Smith

The Griffith Black and Whites bounced back from their shock last start loss to the TLU Sharks to secure a 28-20 win over the Hay Magpies at Solar Mad Stadium in round five of Group 20 action on Sunday.

Led by a new halves pairing of Gospel Toru and Jasvir Singh-Clark, the Black and Whites piled on six tries in their most complete performance of the season so far after a few up and down weeks. 

Centre Paula Naidike led the way for the Griffith side, crossing for two tries, while Toru, Tali Talioesila, Epeli Serukabaivata and Ata Junior Misi joined him on the scoresheet in the victory.

Black and Whites Coach Kodie Charles said that the win was an important one for his side, as they look to put a patchy start to the season behind them and find some consistency through the middle stretch of the season.

“It was a solid game from both teams,” he said. 

“My boys dug deep and played for each other, which I was happy with.

“It was a must win that we needed to boost our morale.” 

Charles said that roster changes have contributed to his side’s inconsistent performances, but they are trying to make the most of the situation, as seen in the performance of the makeshift Toru/Singh-Clark halves pairing.

“The start to the season has been a bit up and down with trying to put the same team on the paddock each week,” he said.

“Things change [though].”

Will Barnes again impressed for the Hay side in a losing effort, scoring three of his side’s four tries as the Magpies mounted an unsuccessful comeback after trailing 14-0 early on.

The Black and Whites have the bye next weekend, while Hay will face West Wyalong at home.

BLUEHEELERS FIRE AT HOME

Meanwhile, the Yenda Blueheelers joined the winners list with a 44-22 home victory over the Tullibigeal-Lakes United Sharks at Wade Park.

Isaiah Potts and Charlie Tiaina each nabbed doubles among seven different try scorers as the Blueheelers recorded their biggest victory of the season so far in front of their home supporters.

After a coaching change over the off-season saw the Yenda side written off as a serious title threat by many in season 2025, the Blueheelers have defied expectations to secure three wins from their opening five games of the season, and move into the top five.

The addition of veteran forward Chris Latu, previously of Griffith Waratahs, has certainly played a part in bulking up a forward pack that already included Riverina representative Tikiko Noke and coach Trey Woodland.

ROOSTERS TAKE POINTS AT LEETON

The Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters snapped an on-field two-game losing streak with a 31-12 away victory at Leeton No.1 Oval.

After a narrow first up win over Hay, and a pair of losses to the Griffith Black and Whites and Yenda prior to being the beneficiaries of last week’s forfeit by West Wyalong, the Roosters ran in six tries in their best performance of the season so far.

The result is just the second loss for the Leeton side, who went down narrowly to the Waratahs last weekend, and still look like they will be around the five come late August.

HAWKS TOO STRONG FOR MALLEE MEN

Finally, Yanco-Wamoon cruised to a 56-6 victory over West Wyalong at Ron Crowe Oval.

Although expected to win against an undermanned Mallee Men outfit, the margin was still an emphatic one for the Hawks, who ran in eleven tries to one for their second win of the season.

Tips for Round 6

Waratahs v DPC – Tahs by 6

Hay v West Wyalong – Hay by 30

TLU v Leeton – Leeton by 12

Yanco v Yenda – Yenda by 4