John Fitzgerald

Manildra, Oberon and Cowra have maintained their winning ways for many weeks and all sit together on 18 competition points in first place on the Woodbridge Cup ladder.

The three clubs have pulled away from the rest of the field, the next four sitting on 12 points.

Winning again in last week’s round 10, Oberon Tigers’ 62-8 defeat of Cargo was the highest score among the three sides, Manildra defeating Condobolin 42-10, and Cowra 34-14 victors over Molong.

Manildra still holds the top position of the three on differential points scored but the Tigers’ 54-point win has closed the gap.

The top sides have not played against each other since Oberon upset Manildra at Oberon in round 6, but this weekend there will be an interesting change at the top when Oberon hosts Cowra in round 11 at Oberon.

With a six-point win at Cowra in round 1 the Magpies are the only side to beat the Tigers this season and will provide the strongest opposition to Oberon for many weeks.

If Oberon reverses the round 1 result, they have the easiest run to the finals, and are ready to pounce to take the minor premiership if the other sides trip up over the next four weeks.

The result of this game will create an interesting scenario which may not be solved until the final round.

While Oberon should win their last four games, Manildra are drawn against last year’s grand finalist Canowindra and the dangerous Orange United and then must confront Cowra in their last game.

Cowra also meet Canowindra before the possible ladder-changing game against Manildra, and the minor premiers may not be known until the final whistle of the ordinary season.