By Jamie Parsons 

Barellan and Rankins Springs have put one foot in the top 4, with wins over Goolgowi and Hillston, respectively, while Narrandera got on the winner’s list for the first time in 2025.

After a heavily disappointing result from last week’s incident, the Rabbitohs and Bluebirds did not recover; Both sides lost two competition points, as well as two players each to suspension for the rest of the year. The Rabbitohs and Bluebirds furthered their disappointment with losses on Saturday, now likely needing to win all their remaining games to make the Top 4.

The Bluebirds started the better against the Dragons, with a scrum play sending winger Tale Delai racing away to score the first, before prop Jason Cronin got one back for the Dragons. A try either side of halftime had Hillston up 16-6 but 3 tries in ten minutes to the Dragons got them back in front, with a late penalty goal sealing the result.

Barellan blasted Goolgowi off the park early to lead 18-0 after only 10 minutes, with Goolgowi short on players with three Dragons and a Bluebird backing up for them. Captain Henry Taylor got over the line for Goolgowi and they held the Rams out for the rest of the half. The second half was all the Rams again, with Mesulame Navakayala scoring two, along with fullback Fred Herrmann. Barellan managed their biggest win over Goolgowi yet, 38-10.

The final game began with a minute’s silence for several Narrandera community members lost over the past year, including Shaurntae Lyons, mother of several current Lizards players, including captain-coach Malek Afuamua, back on the park today after suspension. Deniliquin shocked Narrandera early after a dropped kick-off led to Jamin Jones scoring after three tackles for the Blueheellers. They wouldn’t trouble the scorers again, though, with the Lizards dominating the rest of the game, with returning fullback Caleb Atkinson scoring three tries and assisting in three more.

The women’s teams had a general bye this round, as did Ivanhoe Roosters.

Final Scores

Rankins Springs 24 (Jason Cronin, Billy Vearing, Thomas Judd, Bart McIntyre tries; Damian Walker 4 goals) Hillston 16 (Tale Delai, Connor Eade, Ratu Ketewai tries; Jed Webster 2 goals)

Barellan 38 (Mesulame Navakayala 2, Fred Herrmann 2, Noah Forbutt, Tom Bartter, Luke Farmer tries; Noah Forbutt 5 goals) Goolgowi 10 (Henry Taylor, Bodhy Martin tries; Henry Taylor 1 goal)

Narrandera 46 (Caleb Atkinson 3, Jahrel Tereva 2, Jeremy Hampton, Rowan Matthews, Jamain Morgan tries; Jakeem Morgan 7 goals) Deniliquin 4 (Jamin Jones try)

Ladders

WOMENS

MENS

*Goolgowi and Hillston lost two competition points due to an incident in Round 3