CONGRATULATIONS to the Walcha Rams on their great major semi-final victory over Narrabri here at Peter Fenwicke Oval last Saturday, which entitled them to host the 2019 Central North grand final here at home.
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LOCKED at 17-all when the half-time oranges were called for, both teams had their chances to break the deadlock during the second stanza but it all came down to a Simon Newton penalty goal to advance the Rams to the competition decider in a fortnight's time.
NARRABRI now do battle with Pirates in the preliminary final this Saturday where the winners qualify for the Grand Final. Pirates have already qualified for the Reserve Grade and under 19's Grand Final and have a chance of making the first grade and Women's 7s decider as well.
IT'S been a long time between drinks for the Rams since they last won a Central North competition in 1990. Since then they have made three grand finals only to be defeated by Pirates on all three occasions in 2012, 2017 and 2018. Hopefully, this will be third time lucky as they line up for their third Grand Final in succession.
Hopefully, it will be third time lucky as the Rams line up for their third successive Grand Final.
HARD-working back-rower Lachlan Brown was everywhere in both attack and defence last Saturday with plenty of spectators believing he was the best player on the ground. "Board' won the Central North Best and Fairest player in 2010 and then again in 2012 for having a stint with the Roos where he also picked a Group 4 Second Division B&F trophy.
SEVERAL Rams players have won the Central North B&F over the years commencing with Warwick Fletcher 1971 and 74 and Steve 'Horrie' King 1980, George Spring 1990, Tom Newby 1994, Chris Robson and Charlie Street 2006, 'Robbo' again the next season before Simon Newton did it in 2017.
ROOS' veteran Jason Latham streeted the field in the Club Best and Fairest competition in 2019 where he won by the length of the straight with 23 points, fellow veteran Glenn Olrich was runner-up on 10 points. 'Jase' also finished players player just ahead of Brody Smith.
JILLAROOS' two main awards also went to one player when Rachel Green took out the B&F on 90 points from Ruth France and Bonnie Brown with both on 15. Rach won players' player prize on countback from Bonnie Brown 58 votes to 51 tallied during the season.
ROOS' co-coaches Steve McAllister and Chris Bruce selected Captain Steve Eveleigh as their choice for the coaches' award. While Jjillarooco-coach Robyn Broadbent and Bonnie Brown couldn't split between Ruth France and Jordyn Hoy for their prize.
THE Brian 'Bun' Sweeney Memorial Trophy for most improved went to utility player Jack McAllister who was asked to play a number of positions during the season. The Jillaroos' most improved player was Alysha Laurie who according to Co-coach Robyn Broadbent had just about mastered some of their tricky moves by the end of the season.
THE Neville 'Malta' Morris Memorial Clubperson of the Year was shared between Jillaroos manager Whatiker Saxby and club secretary Emma Hillier. President Michael Aspinall had been also accepted before ruling himself out.
NOWENDOC grazier Col Higgins experienced a memorable 27 holes of golf last weekend when he won competitions on both days. Col opened up on Saturday with 22 Stableford points to win the weekly 9-hole competition before doubling his total to 44 points. Good enough to claim a trophy donated by former Walcha mayor Alex Gill.
FORMER Walcha golf champion and now trainee professional Andrew Brennan competed in the NSW and ACT PGA trainee Championships at the Riverside Oaks Resort course in Sydney last week where he finished equal 10th. Starting with a first round 73 AJ backed it up with 69 and then what turned out to be a last round 76. Andrew finished with 218. He picked up just under $1,000 and is first on the NSW Order of Merit for trainees.