Tallon Smith – reporting from Perth

The Gundagai Tigers have moved into second place on the 2025 Great Northern Group 9 First Grade ladder with a 20-18 home win over the Junee Diesels at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday.

A double to Will Herring led the Tigers to the narrow victory, which sees them sitting in second place behind the unbeaten Kangaroos after nine rounds of action. 

Speaking of the Kangaroos, they kept their unbeaten streak alive with a 32-12 win over the Albury Thunder at Greenfield Park.

Without star centre Ned Cooper, the Roos stood tall on the Border with skipper Nathan Rose crossing for two tries and winger Charlie Barton also scoring two and kicking four goals for a 16-point haul.

Sunday action saw the Cherrypickers lose their fourth match in a row, falling 22-18 to a spirited Tumut Blues side at home.

Meanwhile, the final two matches of the weekend saw big victories to the Temora Dragons, who defeated Cootamundra 42-4, and South City, who beat Brothers 52-4.

Group 20

The Hay Magpies have fallen agonisingly short of an upset win over local rivals Darlington Point-Coleambally Roosters for the second time this season after going down 42-32 at Darlington Point Sportsground on Sunday.

Led by a four-try performance from Ben Arandt, the Magpies were in the contest, but ultimately fell short of the defending premiers on their home turf.

The undefeated Griffith Waratahs continued their winning ways with a 36-10 win over cross-town rivals Griffith Black and Whites.

Led by flying winger Ulu Akolo, who finished with a try and three goals to continue his strong run of form, the Tigers posted seven tries to two to secure a comfortable victory over their cross-town rivals and remain two games clear at the top of the table.

The Yanco-Wamoon Hawks moved back into fourth place on the ladder with a 26-18 win over the Tullibigeal-Lakes United Sharks at Yanco Sports Ground.

Doubles to back rower Bodean Tereva and skipper Jim Dabea saw the Hawks outlast the Sharks, though poor goal kicking from the Sharks meant the scoreline flattered the Hawks in the five tries to four showdown.

Meanwhile, in the final game of the weekend, Leeton and Yenda scored three tries each, but a perfect goal kicking performance from centre James Tafiti saw the Greenies get home 18-16.

Canberra/George Tooke Shield

The Yass Magpies picked up their second win of the 2025 Canberra Raiders Cup season with a 27-26 win over the Goulburn City Bulldogs at Walker Park on Saturday.

In other games, Woden Valley held off West Belconnen 24-18, Tuggeranong defeated Gungahlin 36-34 in a high-scoring affair, and Queanbeyan Blues won the local derby over their cross-town rivals Queanbeyan Roos 40-28.

Meanwhile in the George Tooke Shield, Binalong won a close one over North Canberra 20-18, Snowy River Bears beat Googong 20-18, Crookwell snuck home 22-20 over Boorowa, and Bungendore showed their credentials against UC Stars in a 78-6 victory.

Parra’s Piece: Kangaroos too good for Thunder

Peter (Parra) Montgomery

Wagga Kangaroos made it seven wins from seven starts in the Group 9 First Grade premiership with a comfortable 34-12 victory over Albury Thunder at Greenfield Park last Saturday.

The Kangaroos controlled the ball and made the most of its opportunities, scoring three first half tries to the Thunder’s one to take an 18-6 lead into the half time break.

The Kangaroos were able to complete their sets and dominated possession, with the big forwards capitalising on the work around the ruck by their experienced halves combination of James Smart and Nathan Rose.

The Wagga side made the Thunder work hard in defence.

Thunder actually was first to score, and it was a long range try, started by Nathan Darby, who carried the ball forward off loaded to Paul Kariatiana, who delivered a miracle pass to back rower Hugh Duncan, who sent winger Lachlan Hampton into the clear, and he drew the fullback, and sent Sebastian Nelson on a clear run to the line.

Jade Duroux added the extras and Thunder led 6-0.

It wasn’t long, however, before the Kangaroos were over, with Rose working play from a scrum win to score in the corner, Rose scored again not long after for a 12-6 lead, before Barton crossed under the sticks for the third try of the half.

Barton’s second conversion brought up the winger’s century of points for the season – not a bad effort in just seven games.

Although trailing by 12 points at the half way mark, the Thunder side was still in the contest.

Prop Nathan Darby, hooker Blake Grounds and back rowers Hugh Duncan and Clayton Couley were heavily involved in play.

Fullback Lachie Munro was courageous under the high ball, and stood tall when tested by the Kangaroos kickers.

Dakota Ruta, on the right edge for the Kangaroos was a handful for the Thunder backs with his size and powerful running.

He is a very good player.

Ruta scored a length of the field try, picking up a loose ball and showing the defence a clear pair of heels.

Munro scored for the Thunder – again showing his incredible strength to get over the line.

WAGGA KANGAROOS 34 (Nathan Rose 2, Charlie Barton 2, Connor McCauley, Dakota Ruta, tries Barton 5 goals) defeated ALBURY THUNDER 12 (Sebastian Nelson, Lachie Munro tries Jade Dureaux 2 goals)

ProTen Cup: Rams and Dragons firm for top four

Jamie Parsons

Barellan and Rankins Springs have put one foot in the top 4 with wins over Goolgowi and Hillston respectively, while Narrandera got on the winner’s list for the first time in 2025.

After a heavily disappointing result from last week’s incident for the Rabbitohs and Bluebirds, both losing two competition points as well as two players each to suspension for the rest of the year, both teams furthered their disappointment with losses on Saturday, now likely needing to win all their remaining games to make the Top 4.

The Bluebirds started the better against the Dragons, with a scrum play sending winger Tale Delai racing away to score the first before prop Jason Cronin got one back for the Dragons.

A try either side of halftime had Hillston up 16-6 but 3 tries in ten minutes to the Dragons got them back in front, with a late penalty goal sealing the result.

Barellan blasted Goolgowi off the park early to lead 18-0 after only 10 minutes, with Goolgowi short on players with 3 Dragons and 1 Bluebird backing up for them.

Captain Henry Taylor got over the line for Goolgowi and they held the Rams out for the rest of the half.

The second half was all the Rams again with Mesulame Navakayala scoring two along with fullback Fred Herrmann. Barellan managing their biggest win over Goolgowi, 38-10.

The final game began with a minute’s silence for several Narrandera community members lost over the past year including Shaurntae Lyons, mother of several current Lizards players including captain-coach Malek Afuamua, back on the park today after suspension.

Deniliquin shocked Narrandera early after a dropped kick-off led to Jamin Jones scoring after three tackles for the Blueheelers.

They wouldn’t trouble the scorers again though with the Lizards dominating the rest of the game with returning fullback Caleb Atkinson scoring three tries and assisting in three more.

The women’s teams had a general bye this round.