Bryson Luff
The top five has been determined for the 2025 Christie and Hood Castlereagh League after an exciting final round where the results across three different games would have a bearing on the finishing order.
The Dunedoo Swans were in a three-way battle for fifth position and having the bye had to rely on other results going their way.
They were on track after the Cobar Roosters dropped out of the race when they were unable to sustain a great second half comeback against the Narromine Jets at Tom Knight Oval in Cobar.
The Jets had established a commanding 20-0 lead by half-time but their prospects of securing victory started looking shaky after the home side came roaring back into the game, scoring 14 unanswered points to reduce the deficit to 20-14.
The Jets went over for a converted try to extend their lead to 12 points and whilst the Roosters replied with another try the first half deficit had proven too much for them to reel in. They lost the game 26-18 to end their season.
Meanwhile, some 400 kilometres to the east the Coonamble Bears were locked in a do-or-die battle with the Gulgong Bull Terriers at Gulgong.
A win to the Bears was their only option if they wanted to stay alive in the 2025 premiership race and they upset the home side with a 32-16 victory.
Their superior points differential secured them the fifth and final spot on the ladder ahead of Dunedoo and they will the Bull Terriers in an Elimination Semi-final.
The top-of-the-table clash between the Coolah Kangaroos and the Coonabarabran Unicorns saw the ‘Roos retain their unbeaten status and the Boronia Cup when they outlasted a fast-finishing blue and gold outfit to come away with a 30-24 win.
The loss by the Unicorns, combined with Narromine’s win over Cobar saw the Jets leapfrog them on the table. Those two teams will meet at Narromine next Saturday in the Qualifying Semi-final.
Fifth position in both the League Tag and reserve grade competitions was also decided by points differential, with the Cobar Roosters finishing ahead of the Warren Bulldogs in League Tag and Coonabarabran doing likewise against Gulgong in reserve grade.
Click here for all results from the Castlereagh League.
