Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales
It was a weekend of upsets as a host of previously undefeated teams across NSW’s biggest competitions had their colours lowered for the first time. Catch up on all the latest in our statewide wrap.
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The return to form of the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs added another layer with a major upset, while the winning run of Collegians in Illawarra’s Harrigan Cup came to an end.
Catch up with those headlines and more in our local rugby league wrap from across NSW/ACT.
CANBERRA
Woden Valley brought an end to Queanbeyan Blues’ undefeated start to 2025 with a gritty 14-10 victory at Phillip Oval.
They started best with big Tomasi Bikaca proving too strong in the corner, and the winger came to the fore midway through the second half with his second to open up a 14-6 lead for the Rams.
Connor Williams got on the end of a bouncing ball to touch down in the corner with 16 remaining to give the Blues a shot at a late comeback, but they couldn’t find the decisive blow.
It means the two Queanbeyan teams hold first after the Kangaroos downed West Belconnen 16-0.
Lucas Thomson was the beneficiary of some nice inside work to score the opener, before a Luke Cannon break allowed Kaine Pagura to stretch the margin to 10 at the break.
They sealed it 10 minutes from full-time when Josh Ayers made a 40m break from a scrum to cap a brilliant individual effort.
Yass picked up its first win of the season in style, downing Belconnen United 28-18.
Lekani Mpaso scored a hat-trick for the Magpies in the success, with Tristan Eldridge posting a double for the Sharks.
They weren’t the only team to get off the mark, with Tuggernanong Valley surging to a massive 32-4 win over Goulburn City.
The Bush Rangers conceded first points, but were able to open up an 18-4 halftime lead and kick away in the end on the back of two tries from Rhys Djerke.
STANDINGS: Kangaroos 10, Blues 10, West Belconnen 9, Woden Valley 7, Gungahlin 6, Belconnen 6, Goulburn City 4, Tuggernanong 2, Yass 2
In the Katrina Fanning Shield, Belconnen had to pull out plenty to get past a stubborn Yass side to the tune of 10-4.
Eliza Taylor scored a try in each half to give the Sharks the upper hand, before Roxy Horne scored right on the full-time siren in one of Yass’ best efforts of the season.
Tuggernanong prevailed in the other fixture, edging out Goulburn City 24-14.
Chanelle D’Elboux scored twice for the Bush Rangers as they maintained pace with the teams in the finals race.
STANDINGS: Belconnen United 12, Woden Valley 11, West Belconnen 11, Gungahlin 8, Tuggernanong 6, Yass 4, Goublurn City 2, Blues 2, Kangaroos 0
GROUP 9
Tumut was handed a crushing reality check, falling 50-0 to the undefeated Wagga Kangaroos on home soil.
The Blues entered the round in second, but finished in fourth following the defeat.
It was a clinical display from the Kangaroos, racing in nine tries including doubles to Zeik Foster and Ned Cooper.
Temora solidified its place as title contenders with a 24-22 thriller over Young.
With the Challenge Cup on the line, the Dragons were in control for much of the contest and opened up a 22-6 lead with a little over 20 minutes to play.
Jake Kambos scored to make it a six-point game with 12 to go, but ultimately they left their run too late, however Jake Walker’s try on full-time saw them take the Challenge Cup by half a point.
Junee couldn’t replicate its heroics from last week, falling at the hands of Albury 40-36.
The two sides turned on a 14-try thriller, with the boot of Jade Duroux proving the difference in the end.
Isaac Carpenter had a hat-trick for the Thunder, with Hugh Duncan (Thunder) and Jack Schbuert (Diesels) posting doubles.
Gundagai was far too strong for the winless Brothers, running out 56-10 winners.
Meli Drau was a star on the wing with three tries and five-eighth Will Herring had 24 points (two tries, eight goals).
Cootamundra made it two wins from its last three games after downing Southcity 24-4.
The Bulldogs were narrowly defeated by contenders Gundagai last outing, and took that form into this clash with a strong showing.
Jack Caldwell scored a double as they moved into a share of seventh.
STANDINGS: Kangaroos 14, Temora 10, Gundagai 10, Tumut 9, Young 8, Albury 7, Southcity 4, Cootamundra 4, Junee 4, Brothers 0
ILLAWARRA
Wests is back into a share of top spot after handing Collegians its first defeat of the year, 1 14-10 loss at Mt Kembla Park.
A double in the first half to Jy Hitchcox had the Devils in front 10-0 approaching the break, before Zach Herring gave Collegians a much-needed score on halftime.
George Jennings broke the second half deadlock in the 61st minute and again Collegians responded with Callum Gromek cutting the margin to four with 13 to play.
They couldn’t bridge the gap however, squaring the ledger between the two top sides.
De La Salle climbed into third with a determined 22-18 comeback win over Thirroul.
The Butchers were in control with an 18-6 margin with 20 minutes remaining, before De La surged home.
They scored three times in a 10-minute window, including a double and the matchwinner to Tyrell Lafituanai, to seal an unlikely win.
Dapto found a late push to take a 38-10 win over Corrimal.
The Canaries were able to finish strong with three late tries, as Kieren Moss scored a double.
STANDINGS: Collegians 8, Wests 8, De La Salle 6, Dapto 4, Thirroul 4, Corrimal 0
NEWCASTLE
Cessnock’s winning run to start the season is over at the hands of Kurri Kurri after the Bulldogs claimed an 18-14 victory.
It wasn’t easy for the visitors, who found themselves behind 10-6 approaching the final 15 minutes of the contest.
That was before some late brilliance from Brock Portsmouth saw him score a double in fairly quick order to give them an unassailable margin.
The Goannas had one last shot, with Joe Woodbury getting under a bomb, only to fumble possession over the line from the tough chance.
Wests join Cessnock in top spot after coming from behind to down Central Newcastle 24-18.
The Rosellas trailed by four midway through the second half before they were finally able to hit their straps.
Aidan Storrie took advantage of broken play to speed through numerous defenders in the middle, before they sealed it through a miraculous put-down from Dyllan Parlane in the corner.
Lakes United showed no signs of rust in its first outing since May 10, taking down South Newcastle 46-12.
The Seagulls were in complete control as they put eight tries on the Lions, with the Mata’utia brothers Peter and Sione both getting across the stripe.
The match served as a special one for Lakes United, with the team wearing special jerseys designed in honour of Emma’s Warriors.
Emma Walsh started this following her diagnosis with leukemia at just 13 years of age, with the aim to help out teenagers who find themselves in similar heartbreaking circumstances.
The Seagulls raised funds throughout the week, and you can find out more about Emma’s Warriors and donate here.
The Entrance claimed a crucial 24-4 win over the Northern Hawks to keep them on the cusp of the finals race.
The Hawks were able to hang with them for much of the contest, before two tries in the second half saw the Tigers edge clear.
Maitland let an 18-0 halftime advantage slip, having to settle for a draw with Wyong.
The Pickers looked to have the game sealed as they went into the sheds with a big margin, before the Roos gradually pegged them back.
Their lead remained at 12 with 10 to play, before tries to Zac Montgomery and Joshua Montgomery saw the visitors steal a point at the death.
STANDINGS: Wests 10, Cessnock 10, Maitland 9, Lakes United 8, Souths 8, Kurri Kurri 8, Wyong 7, The Entrance 6, Macquarie 6, Central 2, Northern Hawks 0
NSWRL OPEN WOMEN
Mounties made the perfect start to the restructured Gold competition, edging past Pennant Hills Cherrybrook 18-8.
They raced out to an 8-0 lead through as many minutes, before Timeka Collins helped the visitors peg it back to just four at the break.
Mounties found enough to hold on however, keeping them undefeated.
They’re joined at the top by Redfern who were at their ruthless best with a 46-6 beat down of Cabramatta.
Yilara Widders continued her incredible tryscoring form with another hat-trick, taking her tally to 12 for the season.
Amarley Bron also had a double as they flexed their muscles in a big way.
Milahn Ieremia took over for Milperra as they raced away with a convincing 50-8 defeat of Marrickville.
It was the perfect start to their promotion into the top flight, with the strong team showing they are title contenders.
STANDINGS: Redfern 18, Mounties 18, Mascot 16, Wentworthville 14, Pennant Hills Cherrybrook 12, Cabramatta 12, Milperra 10, Marrickville 10
SOUTHERN CORRIDOR
Corrimal moved into outright first after a comprehensive showing in Narellan.
The Cougars took on Campbelltown Collegians in a battle of the undefeated sides, turning it into a one-act affair with a five-try clinic.
Lily Holmes picked up a double to give them a perfect 5-0 record.
Leilani Havea was at her attacking best with a hat-trick as Cronulla Caringbah turned it on with a 52-0 demolition of Campbelltown City.
They were never tested throughout the contest, as Ella Horsey slotted eight of nine conversions to finish with a 20-point haul.
The Oaks had to work hard but managed to overcome Engadine in an 18-6 victory at Dudley Chesham.
With both sides boasting a host of junior reps talents, Jessica Blatch proved the difference with a double for the Tigers.
Helensburgh came away with a 30-4 win over Shellharbour.
STANDINGS: Corrimal 15, Campbelltown Collegians 13, Helensburgh 9, Shellharbour 9, Campbelltown City 7, Cronulla Caringbah 7*, The Oaks 5*, Engadine 5
SOUTHERN SYDNEY
The Power Waste Management Cup turned on its head with a pair of big results, including the Gorillas falling to their first defeat of the season.
Gymea entered its clash with De La Salle at Corea Oval with an unblemished record and looked to be on track to keep it that way when levelling up the scores through Ryan Peake with 20 minutes to play.
That brought a huge cheer from the home fans as he sliced his way through the defence out wide.
Scored remained tied until two minutes to play, when a chip-and-chase from Andrew Fifita drew a penalty for a Gorillas player picking the ball up in an offside position.
Eli Levido calmly slotted the penalty to give them the win.
Joey’s moved into a share of top spot, handing Bosco its second defeat of 2025 with a 14-12 win at Boystown Oval.
Max Cheetham gave them the perfect start with a try inside three minutes as they took an 8-6 lead into the break.
That margin became eight when Daniel Louka crossed, before Cooper Bowen got the Bulldogs back to within two with 17 to play.
That’s as close as they would get, with the Roos picking up a crucial win.
Como Jannali denied Engadine its first win of 2025, running out convincing 26-12 winners at ANZAC Oval.
STANDINGS: Gymea 18, Joey’s 18, Bosco 16, De La Salle 14, Como Jannali 11, Engadine 7
SOUTHS JUNIORS
The competition has new leaders with Redfern All Blacks moving to outright top spot for the first time this season.
It came after they overcame a sluggish start to run down South Eastern 36-26 in a shootout at Waterloo Oval.
By the time Dean Richards crossed for the Seagulls they had opened up a 16-0 advantage.
That quickly disappeared as Redfern hit their straps in a big way, scoring five times in a 12-minute stretch to take over.
Blake Roberts scored a hat-trick on the wing with Jeremy Gordon on fire with the boot.
The Wombats held top spot with RAB, but fell a point behind after having to settle for a 16-all draw with Alexandria in a rematch of last year’s grand final.
Coogee held a 16-0 lead early in the contest and were poised to record a similar outcome to their 42-6 round one victory.
That was before the Rovers mounted a comeback, drawing level in the final 10 minutes and claiming a well-earned point in what was their second draw of the season.
Dolphins made it four-straight wins after overcoming Mascot 50-30 in an entertaining clash at Mascot Oval, while La Perouse edged out Marrickville 12-4.
STANDINGS: RAB 12, Coogee Randwick 11, Coogee Dolphins 10, La Perouse 10*, Mascot 4*, Alexandria 4*, South Eastern 1*, Marrickville 0
WOODBRIDGE CUP
No undefeated teams remain in the Woodbridge Cup after Condobolin caused a boilover at the weekend.
Cowra came into the contest as favourites after a 5-0 start to the season, and looked to be in good form when Sam Ingram scored in the opening five minutes.
The Rams then went on a rampage, scoring six of the next seven tries to open up a 30-10 lead with 20 minutes to play.
The Magpies weren’t to be outdone and hit back with a few of their own to get back within a score late, but couldn’t muster one last charge.
Canowindra improved into a share of sixth spot after a big finish saw them overcome Eugowra 34-22.
James Dine had an early double for the Tigers, but it was the Golden Eagles who led inside the final 20 minutes.
The home side finished with a wet sail, with Joshua Cooney’s double in the closing stages helping them to victory.
Molong continues to stalk the top three sides, sitting just one point behind after a 54-16 smashing on Grenfell.
The Bulls were always in control as they ran in 10 tries.
Orange sits a further point behind after a 52-18 defeat of Cargo.
The two were tied at 12-all after Samuel Hart crossed for the Blue Heelers, and it wasn’t until Mathew O’Neill’s second try 10 minutes from full-time that the Warriors really started to pull away with the win.
A big second half from Oberon saw them shut-out the Trundle Boomers 42-0 at Berryman Oval.
The Tigers led by just 12 at the break, before piling on six second half tries to flex their muscles and keep them on par with the top teams.
STANDINGS: Manildra 12, Oberon 12, Cowra 12, Molong 11, Orange 10, Canowindra 8, Eugowra 8, Condobolin 8, Trundle 6, Peak Hill 5, Cargo 4, Grenfell 6
Originally published as Local Rugby League Wrap: All the latest local footy news from the big leagues around New South Wales
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