Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales

One team secured its first Group 9 first grade victory in six years, as Macquarie pulled off a late upset miracle in Newcastle. See the footage and catch up on all the headlines in our local footy wrap.

The six-year drought of Cootamundra is over in Group 9, as one of the most thrilling finishes of the season took place in Newcastle.

Catch up with all that and more in our local rugby league wrap.

CANBERRA

Queanbeyan had to fight hard to keep its undefeated run intact, holding out the winless Tuggeranong 38-22.

The Blues looked to be coasting with a 20-6 halftime lead, before the Bushrangers struck twice straight after the break through Lachlan Davis and Marcus Malaetasi.

Queanbeyan then struck three times in 12 minutes to deny Tuggeranong its first win.

Gungahlin held off a late Woden Valley charge to prevail 28-24.

After Joshua Fattore brought up his hat-trick early in the second half to put the Rams ahead, David Williams and Noah Marcantonio went back-to-back to give what would prove to be a matchwinning advantage.

West Belconnen was far too strong for Goulburn City, holding onto second space with a 38-4 victory.

Winger Kylan Edwards and centre George Pohahau both scored doubles for the Warriors in a comprehensive showing.

The Queanbeyan Kangaroos made a big statement with a 50-16 thumping of Belconnen United.

Fullback Kaine Pagura scored a hat-trick and returning junior reps talent Luke Cannon a double in the nine-try rout.

STANDINGS: Queanbeyan Blues 10, West Belconnen 9, Queanbeyan Kangaroos 8, Gungahlin 6, Belconnen United 6, Woden Valley 5, Goulburn City 4, Tuggeranong 0, Yass 0

Belconnen United was ruthless in a 15-try demolition job, downing the Queanbeyan Kangaroos 76-0.

Isabella Piper scored four tries and Eliza Taylor added a hat-trick as they flexed their premiership credentials.

Captain Aaliyah Lomas led from the front for West Belconnen as they smashed Goulburn City 40-4.

She had a hat-trick in the win, as did in-form Gabriella Savage, who stepped into the fullback role in place of Jade Harding.

Tuggeranong put together its best effort of the season with a 52-10 scoreline against the Blues, while Woden Valley edged out Gungahlin 18-8.

STANDINGS: Belconnen United 10, West Belconnen 9, Woden Valley 9, Gungahlin 8, Yass 4, Tuggeranong 4, Goulburn City 4, Blues 2, Kangaroos 0

Ollie Hall made his first grade debut in Cootamundra's win over Brothers. Picture: Cootamundra Rugby League Football Club Facebook

GROUP 9

Cootamundra secured its first win back in the first grade of Group 9, overpowering Brothers 34-12.

The Bulldogs raced out to a 16-0 lead, before Brothers struck back to get within four at the break.

Cootamundra eventually found another gear, and by the time Samuel Gash had his second, they were off the mark in their return season.

The victory was their first in the Group 9 first grade competition since 2019.

Wagga Kangaroos prevailed in the match of the round, securing a 22-16 victory.

Wagga struck first inside the opening two minutes, eventually taking an 18-10 lead into the sheds.

Charles Bent got the Dragons back to within two just minutes into the second half, before Nathan Rose sealed the win in the dying stages.

While going down, Temora maintained the Challenge Cup after defending the 9.5 point start.

Zachary Masters had a double for Tumut as the Blues held onto second spot after downing Junee 32-12.

Young recovered from its first defeat of the season, knocking off Southcity 40-20.

Che Hyslop and Matthew Noakes both scored twice in the victory.

Gundagai maintained its good form with a hard-fought 24-16 defeat of Albury.

Eparama Navuki scored the final two tries for the Tigers.

STANDINGS: Kangaroos 10, Tumut 9, Young 8, Temora 6, Gundagai 6, Albury 5, Southcity 2, Junee 2, Cootamundra 2, Brothers 0

ILLAWARRA

Wests moved into second on the standings after handing De La Salle its second-straight loss, coming out on top 12-0 in a low-scoring affair at Shark Park.

Neither team was able to trouble the scorer in the first half, before Dane Chisolm got them working with a penalty goal.

The Devils then struck twice in the space of four minutes through Dylan Palmer-Quigg and Phoenix Vetenibua-Finnerty to give them the win.

Corrimal was narrowly denied its first win of 2025, falling to Thirroul 18-12.

The Cougars overcame a burst to finish the first half from the Butchers to tie things up.

With the final 10 minutes to come, Dane Courtney had other ideas, scoring for Thirroul.

Collegians continues to take all before them with a dominant 46-14 victory on the road to Dapto.

Campbell Lyons crossed in the 56th minute for the Canaries to get them within 10 approaching the final 20 minutes, before Joshua Dowell and James Lee both converted their doubles as Collegians ran away with it in the end.

STANDINGS: Collegians 8, Wests 6, De La Salle 4, Thirroul 4, Dapto 2, Corrimal 0

Kendyll Fahey, who came across from Dora Creek to Macquarie, was the hero at the weekend. Picture: Michael Gorton

NEWCASTLE

Wet weather continued to hamper the Newcastle RL season.

Originally this weekend was scheduled as a bye round, however catch-up games were scheduled from round four.

Central Newcastle-Wyong and Northern Hawks-Maitland were both deemed to wet to play, forcing a further rescheduling.

Three games were played however, including South Newcastle coming away with a 34-18 victory over Kurri Kurri.

The Lions raced out to a 22-6 advantage in the 27th minute, putting a further two on the Bulldogs in the second half to round out the comfortable win, with Mapu Uasi taking a double.

Macquarie scored a major upset, knocking off Western Suburbs 12-8 at Lyall Peacock Field.

Josh Griffiths fooled the Rosellas defence with a lovely double pump to put Dean Morris over and give the Scorpions a 6-2 halftime lead.

Pat Achurch sparked a break late in the piece for Wests, leading an 80m kick return that resulted in a Kevin Naiqama try and the lead inside the final two minutes.

In chaotic scenes, Macquarie regathered the kick-off, before scoring a few players later after Kodi Crowther grubbered and Kendyll Fahey finished off to seal a memorable win.

It was a tale of two halves at The Entrance, as Cessnock came back from 18-0 down at halftime to defeat the Tigers 22-18.

A first-half double to Hayden Ritchie had The Entrance in an imposing position, before the Goannas stormed home, with the win sealed after Honeti Tuha scored with seven minutes remaining.

STANDINGS: South Newcastle 8, Wests 8, Maitland 8*, Cessnock 8, Kurri Kurri 6, Lakes United 4, Macquarie 4, The Entrance 4, Wyong 2*, Central Newcastle 0*, Northern Hawks 0*

St George’s Bronte Morrison is in strong club form for Pennant Hills Cherrybrook. Picture: Sean Teuma

NSWRL OPEN WOMEN

Yilara Widders moved to the top of the tryscoring tally as the Redfern All Blacks continued their dominance with a 48-4 smashing of Forestville.

The RAB captain scored a hat-trick in testing conditions at Marcellin Fields, taking her to nine for the season from just five games.

Marrickville had to hang tough against a determined Chipping Norton side, coming out on top 24-12.

Young gun Josephine Zapantis scored a double for the Queens, with Chloe Beazley getting over twice for the Kangaroos in defeat.

Pennant Hills Cherrybrook showed it can be a force in the finals after a commanding 52-0 win over Leichhardt.

Bronte Morrison scored a double in the win.

STANDINGS: Redfern 15, Mascot 13, Marrickville 11, Pennant Hills Cherrybrook 10, Chipping Norton 9, Forestville 9, Leichhardt 6

SOUTHERN CORRIDOR

Campbelltown Collegians stayed in a share of top spot after knocking off Shellharbour 20-6.

Adi Kelera Turaganivolo was an unstoppable force out on an edge, with the second rower scoring a hat-trick to lead them to victory in the match of the round.

Corrimal shares pole position with the Macarthur-based side after overpowering Engadine 32-8.

Nathalia Taylor had two tries at ANZAC Oval.

Boosted by a strong contingent of Sharks junior reps talents, Cronulla Caringbah claimed a crucial 26-14 win over Helensburgh.

Felila Fakalelu was shifted to the centres and it worked a charm, with the strike weapon scoring a hat-trick.

The boot of Lara Bush ultimately proved the difference as The Oaks edged out Campbelltown City 24-22.

Both teams scored five tries, with doubles to Brenna Cunningham (Tigers) and Dimitty Bonnett (Kangaroos),.

However Bush’s two goals was enough to sneak by with the win.

STANDINGS: Campbelltown Collegians 12, Corrimal 12, Shellharbour 8, Campbelltown City 6, Helensburgh 6, The Oaks 5*, Engadine 4, Cronulla Caringbah 4*

Gymea remains undefeated in the Southern Sydney competition. Picture: Gymea Gorillas Facebook

SOUTHERN SYDNEY

Gymea was at its ruthless best as it improved to 6-0 after a 58-0 beat down of the Engadine Dragons at Corea Oval.

The Gorillas raced in 11 unanswered tries ahead of their showdown with Joey’s, led by doubles to Dallas Blackburn Kingi and Cooper Ferrow.

The round seven clash between Gymea and Joey’s promises to be the match of the season after the latter kept De La Salle scoreless in a 26-0 victory.

Gymea handed Joey’s its only loss of the season back in round two, with the defending premiers looking to claim a big scalp.

St John Bosco kept within touch of the top after smashing Como Jannali 34-6.

The Crocs kept their noses in the contest with Jamaine Melchior crossing just before the break.

Bosco hit back with three tries in the second half to make it back-to-back wins.

STANDINGS: Gymea 17, St John Bosco 15, St Joseph’s 15, De La Salle 11, Como Jannali 8, Engadine 6

SOUTHS JUNIORS

Redfern moved into a share of top spot, ending Coogee Randwick’s undefeated start to the season with a 22-10 victory at Marcellin Fields.

It marks their biggest win of the season against a Wombats side who had started 2025 in hot form.

Zac Matangi continued his rise into A-grade with the sealing try.

Halves combo Lindsay Munro and Harley Attwater combined for four tries as La Perouse took the spoils against local rivals South Eastern.

The Panthers put a dampener on Old Boys day at Pioneers Park with a resounding 28-0 success.

Mascot was too strong for Marrickville in producing a big 52-18 victory, while Coogee Dolphins had to work for their 26-16 win over Alexandria.

STANDINGS: Coogee Randwick 10, Redfern 10, La Perouse 8*, Coogee Dolphins 8, Mascot 4*, Alexandria 3*, South Eastern 1*, Marrickville 0

WOODBRIDGE CUP

The competition took a week off with annual representative fixtures against the Canberra Region.

Originally published as Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales