The defence of the Warren Bulldogs was seen as being very instrumental in their 42-18 win over the Gulgong Terriers at Victoria Oval on Saturday.
The Bulldogs went into the half-time break with the score at 26-6. Halfback Matt Hall, who was back from injury, got the Doggies on the board first when he cut though the Terriers defence from about 10 metres out. Not long after Matt was at it again when he made a break up the complex sideline and winger Earl Greenaway backed up nicely for the second.
Matt also had a little hand in the third when he slipped a ball away to young gun hooker Adam Kentwell who took off for a 40-metre run before being caught by the fullback, but found Marshall Williams in support for the first of his two tries. The next two were scored by lock Ryan Williams and 5/8 Robbie Olsen. Ryan pounced on a loose ball from a bomb and Robbie’s was another 50-metre effort when he supported a break made by centre Paul Robertson who is back from a lengthy lay-off. Gulgong had their chances in the first half with several sets of six on Warren’s line but the Bulldogs’ defence held strong.
The second half saw the points shared with Warren scoring three tries and Gulgong two. For Warren, Marshall Williams and Robbie Olsen both got the second tries for the day and fullback Craig Estens was rewarded for a great game with a try of his own. Robbie’s came from a little grubber in behind the line from Matt Hall. Craig received a great ball from Robbie Olsen and still with 40 metres to the line and a couple of defenders to beat, planted the ball under the posts.
The Bulldogs were best served by hard-working second rower Matt Horsington, along with prop Marc Bond and fullback Craig Estens. For the Terriers Peter Macdonald (prop), Dion Hollow (hooker) and Aaron Weatherley (5/8) handed in strong performances.
After a huge day of junior league at the Baradine Oval, the Magpies took the field against Dunedoo escorted by their Under 8s. But what played out as a tight game in the first half, turned out to be a runaway 54-18 win for the home side by the end of the match. Highlights for Baradine were the impressive game by fullback Luke Hamilton, the ever-present James Campbell in attack and defence, a perfect scorecard for kicker Tom Cooney, and the smart play by lock Matt Lane. Also having good games in general play were Jason Howe, Greg Harris and Aaron Woods. Best for Dunedoo were Dave Smith, Adam Chapman and Daniel Troutman, who ran strongly all day. Also deserving a mention is their captain Todd Gallagher, who led by example and tried hard until the final whistle.
The top-of-the-table clash between the Gilgandra Panthers and the Coonamble Bears was played out in front of a monstrous crowd at McGrane Oval Gilgandra with the home side not disappointing their fans with a solid 48-30 victory over the reigning premiers, this being their first victory over Coonamble since a 36-4 win in the 2001 grand final.
Castlereagh Cup Rugby League Round 8 scores: Warren 48 (Robbie Olsen 2, Marshall Williams 2, Matt Hall, Craig Estens, Earl Greenaway, Ryan Williams tries, Williams 2, Graham Bugmy 2, Hall goals) defeated Gulgong 18 (Aaron Weatherley 2, James Carter tries, Jamie Gibbs 3 goals).
Gilgandra 48 (Chris Herbig 2, Dwayne McEwen 2, Alex Prout, Danial Riley, Chris Fuller, Scott Rogers, Ned Kelly tries, Curtis Carr 3, Riley 3 goals) defeated Coonamble 30 (Brad Pickering 3, Daniel Lang, Brent Page, Louis Murphy tries, Steve Roworth 3 goals).
Baradine 54 (James Campbell 2, Luke Hamilton 2, Tom Cooney, Matt Lane, Ray Welsh, Teigan Daniels tries, Tom Cooney 9 goals) defeated Dunedoo 18. (Matt Court, Mitchell Darlington, Dave Smith, Adam Chapman tries, Jake Darlington goal).
Competition table: Gilgandra 14, Baradine 10, Coonamble 10, Warren 6, Gulgong 6 and Dunedoo 2. This week Coonamble versus Baradine, Gilgandra versus Warren and Gulgong versus Dunedoo.
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