Tallon Smith

The final full weekend in May was a hit and miss weekend for rugby league across the New South Wales, with many groups cancelling games due to waterlogged fields.

Barring three games in Newcastle, all games down the coast from Coffs Harbour to Ulladulla were cancelled or postponed, as well as matches in the Group 21 and the Canberra Region competitions.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the flood disaster on the Mid North Coast and across other areas of the state.

Here is our Statewide Wrap for the weekend of May 24-25.

Group 9

The Junee Diesels have pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Group 9 history with a 30-28 win over the Young Cherrypickers at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday.

After losing their three previous matches against Temora, Wagga Kangaroos and Tumut by a combined margin of 116 points, the Diesels turned it all around to lead the Pickers 24-6 at half time in their clash.

Young mounted a late challenge and looked to steal the lead in the dying stages, but a Quaider Kea try sealed the deal for the Junee side, just their second of a tough campaign.

Diesels President David Holt said it was exactly what the club needed after a difficult past few games due to issues with injury and payer availability.

“It was the medicine we needed,” he said.

“We did it tough the past few weeks with injuries and Damian Willis having a heart attack, but we’ve bounced back, and had good preparation throughout the week.

“It was an unexpected win, but very sweet, that’s for sure.”

Temora have again defended the Group 9 Challenge Cup with a 32-22 win away at Twickenham in Tumut on Sunday.

Two tries to second rower Tyler Madden led the Dragons’ victory, with the Temora side moving into equal third and ending Tumut’s unbeaten start to the year.

Elsewhere, South City scored two late tries to defeat Albury 32-20 at Harris Park, Wagga Kangaroos maintained their unbeaten start to the year with a 66-0 derby win over Wagga Brothers, and Gundagai secured a hard-fought 20-12 win over Cootamundra.

Peter McDonald Premiership

Bathurst St Pats took bragging rights to a whole new level with a 30-16 local derby win over the Bathurst Panthers in a curtain-raiser to Saturday’s Panthers v Knights NRL match at Carrington Park.

Two tries in the final twenty minutes to Jack Branda and Ponepate Tongia secured the win for Pats, before a late consolation try to Jake Betts reduced the margin.

The win sees St Pats sitting atop the PMP table after five rounds, ahead on points differential in a four-way tie for equal first with Dubbo CYMS, Wellington and Forbes.

Elsewhere, the Forbes Magpies won a thriller over Dubbo CYMS 19-18 courtesy of a field goal, while Mudgee took the points over Orange CYMS 34-24, Wellington beat Parkes 58-18, Dubbo Macquarie defeated Nyngan 38-28, and Orange Hawks dominated against Lithgow to win 42-6.

Barwon Darling Rugby League

The Walgett Dragons took out the Barwon Darling Rugby League Pre-Season Knockout with a win over the Goodooga Magpies in the final at Ricky Walford Oval on Sunday.

In a victory post on the club’s Facebook page, the Dragons club acknowledged the efforts of many to get the season up and running, particularly after the loss of Bourke Warriors from the competition.

“I’d like to thank all teams, players and volunteers who gave their time to make this day happen,” the post read.

“This competition wouldn’t have gone ahead without all of you.

“Thank you again from the Walgett Dragons RLFC, and well done to [our] Dragons brothers on 2 from 2 we can only get stronger from here.”

A four-team premiership season begins next weekend, with Brewarrina, Collarenebri joining the two finalists from Sunday.

Group 20

The Griffith Waratah Tigers improved to 5-0 on the 2025 season with a 28-12 win over the DPC Roosters at the Exies Oval.

The Waratah Tigers ran in five tries to two in yet another strong performance to hand the defending premier Roosters their third loss in six rounds to open the season.

In other games, Yanco-Wamoon and Yenda finished level at 18-all in their match at the Yanco Sportsground, Leeton thrashed a gallant TLU side 60-10 in Lake Cargelligo, and Hay defeated West Wyalong by forfeit.

Scoreboard

Greater Northern

Northern Rivers (Group 1/18)

Tweed Heads 30 defeated Kyogle 26

Evans Head 24 defeated Ballina 20

Bilambil 20 defeated Lower Clarence 12

Other scores unavailable

Group 2

Round washed out

Group 3

Round washed out

Group 4

Werris Creek 25 defeated North Tamworth 24

Dungowan 38 defeated Kootingal 32

Gunnedah 66 defeated Wee Waa 6

Moree Boars 46 defeated Boggabri 12

Group 19

Guyra 46 defeated Uralla 30

Glen Innes 34 defeated Narwan 14

Tingha 40 defeated Moree Boomerangs 24

Inverell v Warialda unknown

Group 21

Round washed out

Greater Western & Bidgee

Canberra (Group 8)

Round washed out

George Tooke Shield

Round washed out

Group 9

South City 32 defeated Albury 20

Junee 30 defeated Young 28

Gundagai 20 defeated Cootamundra 12

Wagga Kangaroos 66 defeated Wagga Brothers 0

Temora 32 defeated Tumut 22

Group 10/11 (PMP)

Bathurst St Pats 30 defeated Bathurst Panthers 16

Wellington 58 defeated Parkes 18

Forbes 19 defeated Dubbo CYMS 18

Mudgee 34 defeated Orange CYMS 24

Dubbo Macquarie 38 defeated Nyngan 28

Orange Hawks 42 defeated Lithgow 6

Group 14 (Castlereagh League)

Coonabarabran 56 defeated Baradine 28

Gulgong 26 defeated Cobar 24

Coonamble 32 drew Narromine 32

Coolah 46 defeated Dunedoo 4

Group 16

Mermbula-Pambula 34 defeated Bombala 16

Eden 24 defeated Moruya 10

Other games washed out

Group 17

Hillston 62 defeated Deniliquin 0

Barellan 28 defeated Narrandera 10

Ivanhoe 16 defeated Goolgowi 0

Group 20

Griffith Waratahs 28 defeated DPC Roosters 12

Leeton 60 defeated TLU Sharks 10

Yanco-Wamoon 18 drew Yenda 18

Hay defeated West Wyalong by FORFEIT

Goulburn Murray

Tumbarumba 30 defeated Shepparton 20

Wangaratta 32 defeated Border Bears 30

Wodonga 22 defeated Wolfpack 8

Woodbridge Cup

Peak Hill 30 drew Molong 30

Cargo 34 defeated Trundle 32

Eugowra 32 defeated Orange United 24

Condobolin 42 defeated Grenfell 22

Oberon 22 defeated Manildra 16

Southern Corridor

Group 7

Round washed out

Illawarra Division

Round washed out

Northern Corridor

Central Coast Division

Round washed out

Newcastle Division

Cessnock 18 defeated Northern Hawks 10

Wyong 30 defeated Souths 12

Centrals 22 defeated Maitland 18

Other games washed out