After a staggered start to the season, Nelson Bay Junior Rugby Union continue to field competitive Gropers teams from under-9 to under-18s, including an under-16 female team.
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The under-14s have continued their run of success by remaining undefeated so far this season and were too strong in their grand final replay against Wanderers last month to come through with a convincing 45-22 victory.
The Gropers' under-14 forward pack have been lead by tough front rowers Lucas Bakker, Tyler Javis and Hunter Westwood who have dominated opposition teams. Busy back rower Jed Smith has been great at the breakdown while the slick backline with Darcy Brown and Cory McDougal in fine form. Darcy scored seven tries in five games.
The side have former country full back Jack Arthur assisting with the coaching.
The under-16s boys with Groper legend Grant Vincent coaching have had a stellar season, losing just one game. The team's Kai Vincent, Sam Mitchell and Lewis Affleck have showed skills beyond their years thanks to a methodical forward pack doing the hard yards up front.
MALLABULA Rugby League Club had a mixed day on Saturday with the men's team going down to Wallsend 34-28 but the ladies league tag team moving into the top two with an emphatic 28-4 win over Dudley.
In the final home games of the season, the ladies, despite a mounting injury toll, produced a fine attacking game. Coach Scott Holland has them ready for the final three games. Players' player Amy Taylor scored two tries with Jess Halliday and Kristen McMahon both having strong games.
The Panthers men produce an error riddled game with a host of cheap turnovers and defensive lapses taking their game right off the boil.
Some good work from hooker Evander Waitoa earned him the players' player award. Lock Bo Earl and back rower Hayden Thompson worked hard all game while clever half Josh Daniels tried hard to spark the attack as the Bula boys struggled with back-to-back losses.
The men face Aberglassyn away on Saturday. The ladies are away to Dungog.
FINGAL Bay Rugby League Club sprung into spring with two great wins. The ladder leading ladies tag team made it six wins in a row and the Bomboras men won their heated A-grade game against Wests.
The ladies' rock solid defence against Greta-Branxton laid the platform for the 48-0 victory. It wasn't all defence, however, with the Bomboras ladies running 10 tries. Lydia McQueen, Victoria Hawthorn and Nicole Bennett scored doubles. Players' player was Emjay Walters.
The Bomboras men showed plenty of character with a depleted bench against West Newcastle on Saturday. The side produced some stellar defense to come from behind in the final quarter to win 22-12. Credit must go to the hard working forward pack who never took a back step. Tough front rowers Lee Preston and Jake Bennett led the way. They were well supported by Tom Sellick, Issac Kniepp and Ben Schneider.
The classy backline put the polish on the forwards hard work with man of the match Liam Walsh creating plenty of attacking raids with Alex Munza to keep the Rosellas on the back foot.
On Saturday, Robert "Bobby" Bryant played his 100th game with the Bomboras. Bryant joined the Bomboras in 2014. The club said he has been one its "most consistent players" in seven seasons, and played a big role in both premiership teams.
"He has been a prolific goal scorer through his career and can literary play any position on the park," the club said.
The Bomboras will host a combined sponsors and old boys day on Saturday for the final home games of the season. Both sides face University. Ladies kick off at 1.40pm and the men at 3pm.
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RAYMOND Terrace Rugby League Club's Magpies and Ravens teams swooped into spring on Saturday to claim a hat-trick in all three grades.
The Ravens ladies tag team showed off their attacking skills with a good 20-10 win over Maitland United; the Magpies ladies tackle team overran Dora Creek 38-8; and the men's Magpies team produced their best defensive effort of the season against the Hamilton Ducks to win 38-18.
After trailing 18-4 in the first quarter, the Magpies men put in an impressive team performance to win by 20 points. Classy centre Scott Wratten was the players' player. Ben Feeney scored two tries with Kurt Langdon and Jack Beverly strong in the middle.
Coaches Brooke Roach and Matt Sheals were happy with the team's attitude in attack and defense.
For the Ravens, Kristy Greentree and Denise Duffy had fine games.
The ladies tackle team had a slender 12-8 lead at half time, however a rev up by coach Daniel Evans at half time saw the team refocus on the job and they ran out convincing winners. Best on ground was dummy half Tamara Lilley. Best forward was Helena Bills with Ebony Oakley a stand our performer kicking five from seven goals and two tries to clinch the best back award.
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