Country RL: Bush Telegraph #8

Group XI set to introduce League Tag

Group XI Senior Rugby League is set to follow the fastest growing trend in Country Rugby League by establishing a women and girls League Tag competition this season. 

Group XI president Ross McDermott says momentum is building with numerous clubs planning League Tag trials in the coming weeks.

McDermott looks forward to seeing League Tag becoming a weekly feature on game day.

“As far as Group XI Management is concerned we are starting a League Tag competition this year, with the view of establishing the competition to run parallel to our First grade, reserve grade and Under 18s draw, with a full final series.”

After sustained success with League Tag in the Group 10 and Woodbridge competitions officials from Forbes and Wellington have voiced their support.

Forbes Magpies Seniors President Greg Grogan can only see the positives from introducing the competition.

“More people will go watch the game and we will pick up a few more committee members,” he said.

“I can only see good points and positives for introducing it”.

An avid League Tag supporter Melissa West, also from Forbes also sees strong interest in her community for the introduction of the competition.

“Forbes would easily get a team,” she said

“When they last had the competition we had 20 girls training twice a week.”

She also sees the sport is also another chance for females and the whole family to get involved.

“There is not as much sport for girls to play so many want to get involved,” she said.

“The sport is for the whole family and allows families to spend the weekend together at the footy.”

Wellington Cowboys President Trent McQuillan also echoed these sentiments about introducing it to Group 11.

“It’s a way to get more fans and funds for the club,” he said.

He also sees it as a way to grow the game and support for teams in the competition.

“It can only get bigger and better and it will keep people coming back after watching,” he said.

Back after a 13 year renaissance Dubbo Westside, wasted no time organising a League Tag side, the Bunnies girls have been training for almost a month.

Meanwhile Dubbo CYMS is planning a League Tag trial in Dubbo against Orange CYMS on March 29.

The Group XI senior League Tag competition will cater for players turning 15 years or older.

Civoniceva to make Masters Debut on the Gold Coast

World Cup representative and Maroons and Broncos great Petero Civoniceva will make his debut at the 2014 NRL Masters Carnival on the Gold Coast, playing for the Guyra Crusty Spuds.

The four-day carnival will run from 5-8 March at Runaway Bay Seagulls Rugby League Club, with a record number of 74 teams entered from NSW, QLD, VIC and ACT as the event continues to grow annually.

Kangaroos, Maroons and All Stars representative, Wendell Sailor will also run out again with the Butchers Old Boys squad from Thirroul and Wally Fullerton Smith, Martin Lang and Scott Sattler all returning for a second year.

“Playing Masters is a great way to stay engaged with Rugby League,” Civoniceva said.

“No matter what age you are, the passion for the game is still there and these options are perfect.

“I am told our oldest competitor is 82 years old this year, which technically makes me a rookie, it’s great being one of the young ones.

Celebrating their eighth year at the tournament are the Coodabeen Bunnies, Raymond Terrace Magpies, Dalby Diehards, Runaway Bay Old Boys, FNQ Cyclones Green, Sarina Old Guys, Ipswich Rock Wallabies, St Doms Old Boys, Melbourne Thunder Masters and the West Belconnen Ugly Warriors.

Masters Rugby League has been specifically designed with rules that cater for players who are over 35 years old and no longer wish to play competitively.

The rules of the game have been modified to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all participants.

For full team lists visits www.crlnsw.com.au

Dubbo to welcome a train load of visitors for Country v City clash

Dubbo City Council and a range of local partners have got on board the Dubbo Footy Train to lure visitors to the forthcoming Country versus City match with travel, ticket and accommodation packages which will help the City capitalise economically on a rare opportunity.

Mayor of Dubbo Councillor Mathew Dickerson said tickets for the Dubbo Footy Train are now on sale and being marketed in metropolitan and Western Sydney to bring visitors to the City.

“The Country City clash is a huge coup for Dubbo and we want to create plenty of excitement around the game and showcase the great attributes of the City to Sydney-siders,” Councillor Dickerson said.

“For the first week in May, Dubbo will be the centre of attention for the rugby league world and the partners that have come on board the Dubbo Footy Train initiative are helping to show people that Dubbo is a vibrant City with world-class attractions, quality accommodation, fine restaurants and plenty of great shopping.

“The game itself will be a must see featuring State of Origin hopefuls under the guidance of NSW greats Country Coach Trent Barrett and City Coach Brad Fittler. There will also be opportunities to meet the players throughout the week at various player appearances.

“These packages demonstrate that a holiday to Dubbo is affordable and packed with fun activities for families or a chance to get away with some mates to watch some top-class rugby league,” Councillor Dickerson said.

For $214 a ticket on the Dubbo Footy Train includes return train travel, two nights bed and breakfast, match day tickets, transfers and taxi voucher, free entry to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, half price entry to Old Dubbo Gaol and a half price game at Players Paintball.

“Round one of the NRL season kicks off this weekend. Over the next eight rounds the players and the City are building for the Country City match. The Dubbo Footy Train will help market Dubbo as a destination and bring more visitors to experience the thrill of watching top quality rugby league in a premier venue in Dubbo,” Councillor Dickerson said.

2014 WEST WYALONG RUGBY LEAGUE KNOCKOUT FULL MATCH RESULTS

ROUND ONE QUALIFYING MATCHES
TEMORA DRAGONS V YENDA BLUEHEELERS
TEMORA 18 (Michael Henderson 2, Jacob Kite tries, Todd Lynch 3 goals) def YENDA 6 (Blake Petrie try, Josh Curphey goal) Temora in control with coach Michael Henderson imposing)

TL UNITED SHARKS V COWRA MAGPIES
TL UNITED 12 (Jaden Kelly, Matt Pike tries Jaden Kelly 2 goals) def COWRA 10 (Dean Wilson, Warren Williams tries, Ricky Whitton 1 goal) Cowra lead 10/6 at break and looking the better, TLU only scorer in 2nd half)

WEST WYALONG MALLEE MEN V BLAYNEY BEARS
WEST WYALONG 12 (Matt Nicholson 2 tries, Jared Carruthers 2 goals) def BLAYNEY 10 (Jesse Nixon, Terewhiti Cooper tries, Josh Rainbow 1 goal) Blayney lead 4-0 early, WW fought hard and sealed victory with a Matt Nicholson intercept on ½ way to sprint 50 metres. Blayney will surprise many in G10)

ALBURY THUNDER V LEETON GREENS
ALBURY 20 (Lachlan Hampton 2, Adam Coote, Daniel Jacobs tries, Ben Jeffrey 2 goals) def LEETON 4 (Brayden Scare try) Thunder in control leading 10/4 at break. Best so far.

HAY MAGPIES V COOTAMUNDRA BULLDOGS
COOTAMUNDRA 8 (Chris Maher try, Matt Forsyth 2 goals) def HAY 0 Sometimes scrappy game with Hay holding Coota to just the one try early and defended well in second half but could not breach Coota line.

SOUTH CITY BULLS V WEST BELCONNEN WARRIORS
WEST BELCONNEN 6 (Tim Slomon try, Zac Smith goal) drew SOUTH CITY 6 (Jack Lyons try, Pani Manawatu goal) Warriors the surprise packet leading 6-0 at break. Held on well to win on “first try scored”

BYE – ORANGE CYMS BEST LOSER - SOUTH CITY - THROUGH TO Q/F

FINALS (SATURDAY) QUARTER FINALS
ALBURY THUNDER V T L UNITED SHARKS
ALBURY 10 (Mitch davis, Lachlan Hampton tries, Ben Jeffrey goal) def T.L.UNITED 0.Thunder lead 10-0 at half time – scoreless second half. Lakes promising for G20 season. 2013 G9 Premiers v G20 Premiers

ORANGE CYMS V TEMORA DRAGONS
ORANGE 6 (Chris Jones try, Ben McAlpine 1 goal) def TEMORA 0. 0/0 at half time. Jones try with just 2 minutes to go. A 0/0 result would have gone to Temora.

WEST WYALONG MALLEE MEN V COOTAMUNDRA BULLDOGS
COOTAMUNDRA 18 (Fine Faingaa 2 tries, Soone Tongia 1, Matt Forsyth 3 goals) def WEST WYALONG 6 (Sam Basham try, Jared Carruthers goal).G9 teams should not take Cootamundra lightly this year. Strong and fast backs with honest forward pack.

SOUTH CITY BULLS V WEST BELCONNEN WARRIORS
SOUTH CITY 10 (Jack Lyons, Carl Little tries, Nathan Rose goal) def WEST BELCONNEN 0. Warriors held South City to 4-0 lead at half time, but could not breach their line in second.

SEMI FINALS
ALBURY THUNDER V ORANGE CYMS
ALBURY 12 (Lachlan Hampton, Ben Jeffrey tries, Ben Jeffrey 2 goals) def ORANGE CYMS 4 (Kieran Bubb try) Another 0/0 at half time with Albury finishing the better.

SOUTH CITY BULLS V COOTAMUNDRA BULLDOGS
SOUTH CITY 10 (Nathan Rose, Tim Hurst tries, Pani Manawatu 1 goal) def COOTAMUNDRA 0. Cootamundra’s tired legs could not keep pace with the slick South City.

FINAL
SOUTH CITY BULLS V ALBURY THUNDER
ALBURY 16 (Chris Seaton, Josh Remington, Andrew Cowan tries, Ben Jeffrey 2 goals) def SOUTH CITY 12 (Peter Little Nathan Rose tries, Pani Manawatu 2 goals)

South City were first to score through Peter Little after 6 minutes. Albury’s Chris Seaton ensured a 6-6 scoreline at the break with his try at the 12 minute mark. South City went in again through Nathan Rose after 5 minutes of the second before the scores were levelled again at 12-12 by a try to Josh Remington after 10 minutes.

With the competition rules stating 5 minutes each way extra time it looked the possibility before Albury scored the try of the tournament. It started deep in Albury’s own half and followed a short over the top chip kick on the last tackle on half way that saw Jeffrey take the ball, offload, back to him again before off again to Andrew Cowan to score wide out and seal the trophy and $8500 in first prize-money. South City, who were aiming for 3 titles in a row, took home the runners up cheque of $2500. Former Penrith, Souths and Parramatta star forward Matt Goodwin of McClintock Machinery in partnership with Kubota tractors were sponsors of the event and handed over the cheques plus one for $500 to Matt’s son Lou Goodwin who played a great tournament for Albury from lock (yes, it was an independent judging panel).

The 43rd series was played on Ron Crowe Oval in very trying conditions. Whilst local farmers appreciated the wonderful rain that fell over Friday and Saturday (45mm) it meant for some slippery football that was amazing under the circumstances. Players played the wet weather like seasoned professionals and mistakes were relatively low.

Whilst the weather kept many spectators at home the carnival was a great success and the West Wyalong club thanks all of the many volunteers who help make the event the success it is. The club is looking forward to staging the 44th in the series on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of February 2015, edging closer to the magic series number 50.