Coonabarabran Unicorns showed the rest of the Christie and Hood Castlereagh League clubs there is nothing mythical about their 2026 campaign when they ran rampant over their arch-rivals, Coonamble Bears, in their Round 8 clash at Bearstone Park last Saturday.
The Unicorns continued their recent fine form with a 70-14 rout over the Grizzlies to signal they are well and truly in the mix to claim premiership honours this season, after falling just short in the 2025 Grand Final against the Coolah Kangaroos.
A replay of that grand final will be played out on Saturday at an expected jam-packed Bowen Oval in Coolah with the Kangaroos coming off a solid 46-0 win over Gulgong Terriers. That win reflected their recent improved form after a relatively slow start to the season for the back-to-back Castlereagh premiers and 2025 Clayton Cup winners.
Meanwhile, Narromine Jets consolidated third position on the ladder with a hard fought 32-18 win over Gilgandra Panthers in their game played at Gilgandra on Friday night in cold and rainy conditions.
The Jets held a comfortable 22-6 lead at half-time but were pushed by the home side in the second half, with the Panthers coming up just short several times and unable to reel in the first half scoreboard damage.
Dunedoo Swans bounced back to the winners’ circle with a substantial 54-4 win over Warren Bulldogs at Dunedoo. The Swans had the game well in their keeping at half-time, leading 30-4 and were never troubled in the match.
Round 9 action will be highlighted by two great match ups, the first being a replay of the 2025 Grand Final between Coolah and Coonabarabran at Coolah.
In that match the bounce of the ball did not go the way of the blue and golds and they will be hoping for a better result this time round.
Certainly, their form in 2026 indicates that they are a most capable outfit, possessing a hard working and mobile pack and a backline that has strike power at every point.
Meanwhile, the Kangaroos have been building momentum as the season progresses and they too have a forward pack that can dominate, and backs that can dismantle defensive structures.
The Boronia Cup Challenge game to be played at Cobar between the Roosters and Narromine Jets also presents itself as an entertaining spectacle.
Currently the Roosters sit alone and undefeated at the top of the competition ladder whilst the Jets occupy third place.
Whilst a loss by the Jets would not be terminal in the context of their season, they need to make a statement against the sides situated above them on the ladder and what better place to do that than against the competition front runners on their home turf.
Of course, the Roosters, fresh from a bye, will not be entertaining any thought of losing to the visitors in what is expected to be a big and vocal red, white and blue crowd.
Gulgong and Coonamble, both coming off substantial losses last week, will clash at Gulgong. Both these sides sit on 14 competition points with a win being vital to them staying in the race for a top five finish.
The final game will see Dunedoo Swans host Gilgandra Panthers.
Whilst not enjoying too many wins in 2026, the Panthers have proven that they can put it to their opposition and whilst the Swans will start as favourites to win the match they should prepare for a tough battle.
The 2026 Castlereagh League reserve grade season is drawing to a close with the Semi-finals being played at Gilgandra on Sunday 28 June with the first game to kick off at 12pm between Cobar and Coonabarabran, followed by Gulgong taking on Coonamble.
Both games are sudden death, with the two winners set to play in the grand final the following Sunday.
Click here for all Round 8 results from Christie and Hood Castlereagh League Round 8.
