Prop selected

Nelson Bay junior rugby league prop forward Kurt Warden has been selected in the Newcastle Rebels representative side for 2015.

Warden is in his first season with South Newcastle after his home club Port Stephens Sharks was forced to pull out of the Real NRL 2015 competition due to a lack of players. The Rebels will meet a strong Canberra outfit on Saturday, June 13, in Canberra.

Big day of league

There is a big round of action in the Newcastle rugby league second division competition for three Port Stephens clubs this Saturday.

In C grade, the Fingal Bay Bomboras will take on Woodbury in a top-of-the-table clash at Fingal Oval from 3pm. Bomboras co-coach John Gutherson said the Fingal boys would be eager to get back onto the paddock after last weekend's washout.

Meanwhile, a huge crowd is expected at Mallabula Oval to witness the B grade match between second-placed Mallabula and Waratah Mayfield, who are in fifth place. Mallabula will host junior matches before the 3pm seniors kick-off.

The undefeated Raymond Terrace Magpies are away to Dudley in an all important A grade clash, as they prepare for the following weekend's local derby match against Tea Gardens.

Gropers beaten again

Nelson Bay Gropers suffered their second successive Newcastle & Hunter rugby union loss on Saturday, going down to Maitland 25-21 after leading 21-10. The loss has left the Gropers in sixth place on 12 competition points. The Bay return home to Bill Strong Oval this Saturday for the clash with fierce rivals Merewether. Kick off is 3pm.