Jamie Parsons
PROTEN REP SIDE GOES DOWN
The Proten Cup men’s representative side played their first game since 2019 on Saturday (16 May) against Group 7’s second division Regan Cup team.
The game was played under full international rules with 35 minute halves, and a five-man bench with unlimited changes.
Regan Cup started the match by repeatedly spreading the ball to their left side, and midway through the first half found their way over after several sets on Proten Cup’s line.
Shortly after a break from Ollie Taylor led to a kick from Noah Forbutt, which was gathered by Lochyer Brennan for Proten Cup’s first try.
Forbutt and Brennan combined again with another kick leading to another try not long before half-time. Regan Cup hit back with a minute remaining on the clock to trail 10-8 at the break.
Proten began the second half with several attacking chances but an intercept led to a long race downfield, ending with Regan spreading the ball to the other wing to hit the lead.
Proten could not regain the momentum, and the superior fitness of the Group 7 side led to two more tries and a 26-10 win.
KNOCKOUT KICKS OFF SEASON THIS SATURDAY
The annual Proten Cup knockout is back for its eighth iteration this weekend at Goolgowi, who host the fixture for the second time, after first hosting the event in 2019.
Goolgowi are holding a reverse draw raffle afterwards at the club, with tickets still available on the day for $100, which includes food and drink during the day at the football. Money raised will go to benefit former player Danvir Singh-Clark, who has been facing health concerns.
The day will be the first hit out for Goolgowi, Ivanhoe and Deniliquin men’s teams, and the first for Hillston since their trial with TLU reserves back in March. It will also be the first game for all the women’s teams, as under current insurance rules they aren’t allowed to play trials.
Of the teams competing, only Hillston (2018) and Ivanhoe (2023) have won the men’s knockout before. In the previous women’s knockouts, a combined Narrandera/Rankins Springs team won the first event in 2022, with Barellan winning in 2023-25.
FULL SCHEDULE
10am – Goolgowi v Hillston Women’s
10.30am – Rankins Springs v Ivanhoe Women’s
11am – Hillston v Deniliquin Men’s
11.40am – Goolgowi v Ivanhoe Men’s
12.20pm – Hillston v Deniliquin Women’s
12.50pm – Goolgowi v Ivanhoe Women’s
1.20pm – Rankins Springs v Deniliquin Women’s
1.50pm – Goolgowi v Hillston Men’s
2.30pm – Ivanhoe v Deniliquin Men’s
3.10pm – Women’s Final
3.40pm – Men’s Final
