NSW Country Rugby Union grand finals came to an end last weekend with the last of the deciders wrapping up in the Newcastle/Hunter region.
Nine Senior and seven Junior zones took turns in holding their finals series’, with at least one zone’s taking place every weekend beginning with New England on August 12th up until September 23rd’s Newcastle/Hunter finals.
It is no easy feat to organise such a mass of teams which span from every corner of the state says Executive Officer for NSW Country Rugby Union, Stephan O’Brien.
“The competitions are run incredibly well within every zone in New South Wales,” he said. “All of the planning and logistics are a direct result of the efforts of the dedicated volunteers who run great events that bring people from all walks of life together to celebrate the game.”
All zones have been working hard to establish women’s competitions in their respective regions, with the Mid North Coast and New England joining Central West and Newcastle/Hunter in the inclusion of women’s XV’s and Sevens into their match-day proceedings.
Country Rugby possesses a truly unique quality in that small towns come together in support of their local footy team.
“There’s a great sense of tribalism in these teams and each wear the values of the game on their sleeves,” said O’Brien. “Everyone just enjoying the rugby for what it was, is truly a great spectacle.
“The whole Walcha community descended on Tamworth in a sea of Red and White, forming a huge run-on tunnel. It was great to see players of all shapes and sizes celebrating with their children, family and friends together as a community, united.”
It has been another whirlwind year of Country Rugby, who experienced everything from Charles Sturt University players saving the life of the opposition’s coach to Forbes Platypi winning their first premiership since 2003.
A special mention must be made to Avondale, Tamworth Pirates and Wollongbar Alstonville who all made it through their 2017 seasons without a single loss.
Congratulations to all of the winners of all divisions and ages in all nine of our senior NSW Country zones.
CENTRAL COAST
Results
1st Grade Terrigal 39 – Ourimbah 11
2nd Grade Terrigal 25 – Ourimbah 10
President’s Cup Ourimbah 22 – Gosford 10
Colts Avoca Beach 18 – Kariong 3
CENTRAL NORTH
Results
1st Grade Tamworth Pirates 40 – Walcha 39
2nd Grade Moree 22 – Narrabri 18
Under 17’s Moree 39 – Tamworth 15
Colts Tamworth Pirates 36 – Moree 19
CENTRAL WEST
Results
1st Grade Forbes 28 – Orange Emus 20
2nd Grade Orange Emus – Bathurst 16
3rd Grade Orange City 25 – Bathurst 3
Colts Bathurst 12 – Orange City 11
Women’s Bathurst 15 – Cowra 5
Southern Division Blayney 47 – Temora 8
Northern Division Narromine 31 – Molong 10
FAR NORTH COAST
Results
1st Grade Wollongbar 39 – Ballina 29
2nd Grade Ballina 18 – Mullumbimby 17
President’s Cup Evans River 19 – Yamba 10
ILLAWARRA
Results
1st Grade Avondale 27 – Vikings 12
2nd Grade Bowral 35 – Vikings 10
3rd Grade Shoalhaven 24 – Vikings 0
MID NORTH COAST
Upper MNC Competition
Results
1st Grade Southern Cross Uni 26 – Hastings Valley 35
2nd Grade Hastings Valley 41 – Grafton 0
U18’s Southern Cross Uni 24 – Coffs Harbour 5
U16’s Southern Cross Uni 33 – Hastings Valley 0
U14’s Southern Cross Uni 26 – Kempsey 13
Women’s Port Macquarie 15 – Wauchope 0
Lower MNC Competition
Results
1st Grade Wallamba 15 – Forster/Tuncurry 14
NEWCASTLE / HUNTER
Results
1st Grade Hamilton 45 – Wanders 12
2nd Grade Merewether Carlton 20 – Wanderers 19
3rd Grade Wanderers 20 – Maitland 8
4th Grade Merewether Carlton 15 – Maitland 7
Colts Wanders 28 – Maitland 3
Divisional Easts 17 – Muswellbrook 6
NEW ENGLAND
Results
1st Grade St Alberts College 37 – Robb College 29
2nd Grade St Alberts College 48 – Armidale 15
3rd Grade Armidale Blues 28 – St Alberts College 3
Women’s 7s Robb College – Barbets 17Barbet 36 – Robb College 19OVERALL: Barbets 53 – Robb College 43
WESTERN PLAINS
Results
1st Grade Walgett 22 – Warren 20
2nd Grade Nyngan 31 – Walgett 27
