Cover Photo: Inverell Hawks Facebook
Tallon Smith
The Inverell Hawks have affirmed their status as title favourites in Group 19, securing the Minor premiership by a whopping eight points with a 40-16 win over Moree Boomerangs at the Moree Services Club Oval on Saturday.
Led by a hat-trick to winger Trent Mehlert, the Hawks ran in seven tries to three in another impressive away victory to close out the regular season.
The Hawks have not dropped a game since their round one clash with Uralla on April 5, though they did record a 22-all draw with local rivals Tingha in round 10.
In other results from around Group 19, Warialda booked their place in the top four with a 28-18 win over Glen Innes, Uralla did the same with a 28-14 win in a crucial clash with Guyra, and the match between Narwan and Tingha was snowed out.
Inverell will be joined by the Tingha Tigers, Uralla Tigers and Warialda Wombats in the finals kicking off next weekend.
Canberra: Bushies win eighth in a row
The Tuggeranong Bushrangers have claimed their eighth successive victory after a narrow 34-32 win over the top of the table Queanbeyan Blues at Seiffert Oval.
Led by a double to fullback Lachie Davis, Tuggeranong ran in seven tries in another strong attacking display, extending a winning run that began back on May 31.
The impressive victory backs up the Bushies’ last start win over Queanbeyan Roos, who have now assumed leadership of the competition following their cross-town rivals’ loss.
The Roos made light work of Belconnen in their game, running in six tries to two for a comprehensive 34-8 win.
In other results, Woden Valley got the better of Gungahlin 40-14, and West Belconnen defeated Goulburn 14-8.
Peter McDonald Premiership: Magpies back on top
The Forbes Magpies have reclaimed leadership of the Peter McDonald Premiership after a 14-10 win over Lithgow Workies Wolves at Spooner Oval on Saturday.
Three tries, to Farren Lamb, Charlie Lennon and Mitchell Andrews were enough for Forbes to outscore the Wolves, who again proved they can match it with the top sides, only to fall agonisingly short, similar to their round 4 clash with Mudgee.
As a result, the Magpies sit narrowly ahead of Dubbo CYMS on for and against, after the Fishies finished their match with Orange CYMS locked at 14-all.
In other results, Wellington won a shootout fit for Mount Panorama over Bathurst Panthers 36-32, Dubbo Macquarie defeated Bathurst St Pats 34-18, Orange Hawks overcame Parkes 24-16, and Nyngan and Mudgee played out the second draw of the weekend, finishing 28-all.
ProTen Cup: Barellan do the double
The Barellan Rams have matched the feats of the Narrandera Lizards in 2022 after taking out both Proten Community Cup deciders against the Ivanhoe Roosters at Stan Peters Oval in Hillston yesterday.
The Rams men, who raced out to a 16-0 lead only to scrape home 22-20, broke a drought stretching back to their 2003 triumph over Rankins Springs.
On the flip side, the agonising Grand Final loss is Ivanhoe’s third in four years.
Meanwhile, Barellan’s women’s side made it three in a row with a comprehensive 26-2 victory over the Hens.
A full match report will be published tomorrow.
Statewide Scoreboard
Canberra
Queanbeyan Roos 34 defeated Belconnen 8
Woden 40 defeated Gungahlin 14
Tuggeranong 34 defeated Queanbeyan Blues 32
West Belconnen 14 defeated Goulburn 8
Central Coast
No scores reported
Illawarra
Corrimal 8 defeated Wests 0
Collegians 32 defeated De La Salle 6
Dapto 14 defeated Thirroul 12
Newcastle
Cessnock 18 defeated Northern Hawks 10
Wyong 30 defeated Souths 12
Centrals 22 defeated Maitland 18
The Entrance 30 defeated Macquarie 12
Kurri Kurri v Wests unknown
Northern Rivers
Murwillumbah 6 defeated Ballina 4
Tweed Heads 8 drew Cudgen 8
Other scores unavailable
Group 2
Coffs Harbour 20 defeated Nambucca Heads 16
Macksville 46 defeated South Grafton 20
Sawtell 32 defeated Woolgoolga 10
Group 3
Catch up game – Tuesday: Wauchope 24 defeated Port City 16
Weekend scores unavailable
Group 4
Moree Boars 20 defeated North Tamworth 4
Other matches unavailable
Group 7
Albion Park-Oak Flats 18 defeated Nowra-Bomaderry 12
Stingrays Shellharbour 42 defeated Jamberoo 16
Gerringong v Kiama postponed
Milton-Ulladulla v Shellharbour Sharks postponed
Group 9
General bye – Junee Carnival
Peter McDonald Premierhip (Group 10/11)
Orange CYMS 14 drew Dubbo CYMS 14
Forbes 14 defeated Lithgow 10
Wellington 36 defeated Bathurst Panthers 32
Nyngan 28 drew Mudgee 28
Orange Hawks 24 defeated Parkes 16
Dubbo Macquarie 34 defeated Bathurst St Pats 18
Group 16
Bega 26 defeated Moruya 6
Cooma 38 defeated Narooma 28
Eden 32 defeated Bombala 26
Batemans Bay v Tathra unknown
Group 17
GF: Barellan 22 defeated Ivanhoe 20
Group 19
Inverell 40 defeated Moree Boomerangs 16
Warialda 28 defeated Glen Innes 18
Uralla 28 defeated Guyra 14
Narwan v Tingha WASHED OUT
Group 20
General bye – Junee Carnival
Group 21
No scores available
George Tooke Shield
Binalong 48 defeated Snowy River 4
Boorowa 62 defeated UC Stars 8
Crookwell 20 defeated Bungendore 8
Castlereagh League
Coonamble 32 defeated Gulgong 16
Coolah 30 defeated Coonabarabran 24
Narromine 26 defeated Cobar 18
Warren 56 defeated Baradine 14
Woodbridge Cup
Trundle 50 defeated Grenfell 20
Oberon 38 defeated Peak Hill 4
Molong 44 defeated Eugowra 24
Orange United 36 defeated Condobolin 24
Manildra 46 defeated Cowra 12
Battlers For Bush Footy 