Jamie Parsons

The Barellan Rams have qualified for the grand final in both women’s and men’s Proten Cup competitions.

The Rams girls reach their third in a row, but for the boys it’s their first Proten Cup Grand Final and first grand final since 2004, when they were defeated by Goolgowi.

They won their last premiership the year before, defeating Rankins Springs.

Barellan started the better in their first major semi-final with Luke Farmer going over, but Patty Miller levelled things up for Ivanhoe soon after.

A penalty goal had the Rams 8-6 up at halftime.

The Roosters dominated the early part of the second half with an intercept try to Shaun Aylett and another soon after to Ethan Harris.

A try to Rodney Gibbs soon after had the Rams back in, and captain Noah Forbutt put them ahead with three minutes to play with a 30 metre run from dummy half to score.

A last minute penalty saw the Roosters decline a kick at goal with one last throw of the dice, but Barellan kept them out to qualify for their first Proten Cup decider.

Meanwhile, in the Minor Semi, Rankins Springs were hoping to reverse last week’s result against Narrandera, with the Lizards staying in the finals despite losing the two points due to an unqualified player in Round 7.

The Dragons were firey in the opening ten minutes but two dummy half tries to Kane Simpson had Narrandera in the lead, and they continued the roll-on with two more tries before halftime, with the Dragons only points a penalty goal in the 22-2 first half scoreline.

The Lizards scored again soon after the break, before the game broke down a bit and two Lizards and one Dragon were sent to the bin after a scuffle.

Caleb Atkinson scored off a kick at the scrum before Jack Glyde got a consolation for the Dragons at the death.

Women’s Games

In the minor semi-final the Hillston Bluebirds had taken the place of Goolgowi, who pulled out due to low numbers.

They started the better, with a try to Leah Rudman seeing them leading at halftime 4-0.

Once Rankins Springs could hold on to the ball they dominated possession and Georgia West scored in the corner.

Desperate play by both teams saw an exciting last five minutes and the game looked destined for golden point.

However a Hillston error saw Talesha Garbuio score the winning try for the Dragonettes with thirty seconds left in the game.

The major semi-final saw Ivanhoe and Barellan trade tries early in the bid to be first in the big one.

Barellan lost the corresponding game last year but were up to the task at home this time.

Three tries to Madison Morris put the game beyond doubt, with a 24-6 win sending them to a third straight Grand Final.

Final Scores

Women’s Minor Semi-Final

Rankins Springs 10 (Georgia West, Talesha Garbuio tries; Terri-Ann Martin goal) Hillston 4 (Leah Rudman try)

Women’s Major Semi-Final

Barellan 24 (Madison Morris 3, Sophie Taylor tries; Monique Higgins 4 goals) Ivanhoe 6 (Amber Evans try; Shailyn Williams goal)

Men’s Minor Semi-Final

Narrandera 34 (Kane Simpson 2, Malek Afuamua, Shayne Naden, Caleb Atkinson, Thomas Lyons tries; Jakeem Morgan 5 goals) Rankins Springs 6 (Jack Glyde try; Damian Walker goal)

Men’s Major Semi-Final

Barellan 18 (Luke Farmer, Rodney Gibbs, Noah Forbutt tries; Noah Forbutt 3 goals) Ivanhoe 16 (Ethan Harris, Patty Miller, Shaun Aylett tries; Patty Miller 2 goals)