Gulargambone Galahs proved to be too strong for Walgett Dragons in the Castlereagh Community Cup Grand Final played at Gulargambone on Sunday (3 May).
With a strong breeze behind them in the first half the Galahs wasted no time putting it to good use with a long kick downfield giving them great field position. In the third minute their hooker Marshall Ryan went over for what was to be the first of their nine tries.
Not long after winger Sonny-Bill Walker finished off a raid down the left flank with a 60-metre burst to score underneath the posts and the Galahs were beating the clock having scored 12 points in just eight minutes.
The Dragon were next to score following a Gular error, with the defence eventually cracking after a bomb was spilt resulting in a try to Robert Boney.
With the scoreboard reading 12-6 it was a case of game on until the Gular backs clicked into gear, scoring three tries in just ten minutes to have the Dragons trailing 28-6.
Some quick hands from a scrum win with just seconds to go in the first half saw Walgett’s Trent Mason flash over in the corner and the scoreboard situation looked a bit more appetising for the Dragon supporters at 28-10, especially considering the red and whites would have the use of the breeze in the second half.
However, Walgett’s last-gasp try in the first half was soon cancelled out when Walker was given a clear run to the line for his second try to extend the lead to 32-10.
Walgett were next to score after front rower Tristan Wise reached out to place the ball over the line, despite the attention of several Gulargambone defenders, to give the Dragons some hope trailing by 16 points with 15 minutes remaining.
However, it was Gulargambone who finished the strongest with their backs again dominating the play, scoring three more tries to make the final score 46-16 and crown the Galahs as the inaugural winners of the Castlereagh Community Cup.
Meanwhile, Round Two of the Christie and Hood Castlereagh League competition saw Cobar Roosters down Coolah Roos in the match of the round played at Cobar.
The home side dominated the scoreboard in the first half leading 20-0 at the break and then going on with it, getting out to 34-6 leaders before the Roos scored last to make the final score 34-12.
At Warren, Coonabarabran Unicorns were too strong for the Bulldogs, cruising to a 32-6 lead after 40 minutes then running out 60-12 winners.
In other games, Narromine Jets got over Dunedoo Swans at Dunedoo 40-24, Coonamble downed Gilgandra 40-24 and Gulgong went home from Baradine as 38-14 winners.
The match of the round this week will be played at Coonabarabran with the Unicorns hosting the Cobar Roosters. Both teams are currently undefeated, and the winner of this game will claim sole leadership on the competition ladder.
Both the Jessica Skinner Challenge Cup and the Boronia Challenge Cup will be on the line when Coolah plays Coonamble at Coolah while Warren will be hoping to lift in front of their home crowd when they take on the well performed Narromine Jets, Baradine will again be at home, this time to the Dunedoo Swans and Gulgong and Gilgandra will do battle at Gulgong in what shapes as a close affair.
The popular Castlereagh reserve grade competition kicks off this weekend with games being played at Coolah, Coonabarabran and Gulgong.
