After a long break, the Yabbies went up against the West Wyalong Pirates, who were keen to seek their own redemption. This game would prove to be a real test of character for the younger Yabbies, without the experienced Nick Canellis and Jesse Jewitt. Toby Dowling was courageous as he battled illness. Poppy Nuthall, so dynamic in defence and attack, could only play half a game due to her Australian selection for the girls. The Yabbies looked small compared to their opposition, but what they lacked in size they made up for in heart.

Jackson Riley continues to improve and his blistering speed made for some great try-saving tackles, as Liam and Ethan Miller powered through the middle. Max Shea made some great passes from the scrum, enabling Will Bryant to score the most amazing try. With help from Callum Hewitt and Byran Weeks, they led the Yabbies to a thrilling 55-40 victory.

Yabbies U13s: The team took on Tumut and Temora before a third game against Goulburn, which was a great way to end the day.

The 13s were fired up early, but unfortunately Temora came away with the win. But the kids showed their determination and never gave up, contesting scrums and forcing numerous turnovers. They have improved their passing, which resulted in some impressive play and a number of great runs. Jonathon Thompson made the run of the day to score from half way. Kai Langfield also showed Temora his heels on a number of occasions and was instrumental in a number of plays. Not to be forgotten, forward Justin Garlick went for glory with a magnificent run down the sideline. Jonah Mugridge showed determination.

The second game against the Tumut Bullants was a tough battle. Once again, the final score didn’t fully reflect the game. Both teams fought hard, with Tumut making some quick tries to win.

Young scored twice in the game. Jonah Mugridge showed true grit to push for the line and score an outstanding try. The team then crossed the line after some brilliant runs and passing when Kai Langfield make a quick break down the middle.

The whole team worked well throughout the game. Standout players were Harry Nuthall and workhorses Marty McGrath and Sam Corkhill.

After two hard fought matches, the team backed up to play a friendly against Goulburn, finally coming away with a win. The team found the line three times and displayed some great attacking skills. Young looks forward to next Sunday in Tumut.

U15s: The Yabbies 15s came up against their old foe Temora on Sunday. From the outset, Young proved they were up to the task, matching Temora in the forwards with some great hits and solid running.

Rucking and ball retention was excellent, which allowed for clean ball for the speedy outside backs to make good gains into Temora territory. Young scored two first-half tries and went into half-time ahead.

The second half started with a quick try to Temora from the kickoff, but the Yabbies rallied and scored again to be ahead with minutes left on the clock. A late Temora try saw them sneak home with the win.

If Young carries that form through to Tumut this weekend, they should get that elusive win they have worked hard for all season.

The girls took on their stablemates, the White Yabbies, in slippery conditions on Sunday. With some coaxing to get the girls to get their hands out of their pockets, they took the field and hit the ground running. Leading the way with speed off the defensive line were Pippa and Arabella Hufton and Marli Shipp, Beth and Kelsy Loco made the Whites work hard to gain ground.

All this defensive pressure led to points in a try to Amaya Shipp, who showed a clean pair of heels down the far touchline to score in the corner. The Whites clawed back though to go into half-time 1-1. The second half started similar to the first, with play seesawing until the Greens received a penalty and Hunta McCann took a quick tap, catching the Whites off guard to scoot down the sideline and score in the corner for her first try of the year. The Greens managed to hold on and take a 2-1 win in their first outing of the day. 

The girls took on their nemesis, Tumut, in the second game. With everyone stepping up across the park, the girls stuck it to Tumut with two great tries to Pippa Hufton and Amaya Shipp. Tumut clawed their way back into the game, but Beth Loco sealed the game with a try. Tumut scored late in the game, but the Greens held them off to finish with their first victory, 3-2.

The second week of round robins included some fantastic football and sportsmanship. In the first U7s match, the Broncos defeated the Eels eight tries to four.

The Broncos, with only six players on the field, played an exciting game of footy. There was outstanding defence by Oscar McCann, Kobe Owen and Harry Coddington. Some tough runs were made by Jett Cullen, Charlton Moncrief and Xavier Bourne. Harry Coddington was man of the match.

The Sharks took on the Panthers in the second game, winning 10-2. This was another tough game in difficult conditions. Great tries came from Huntah, Cayden, George, Michael and Harmish.

Storm defeated the Rabbitohs in the U9s, with good, hard football in cold and wet conditions. Man of the match was shared by Riley Noakes and Ashley Perkins. For Storm, there was some great dummy half and first receiver play again from Quade Bloor and Josh Cameron. Try scorers were Josh Cameron, Jesse Jewitt and Tarrick Khodr, with Jesse and Tarrick converting for a 16-10 win.

Manly took out the second match against Warriors. Some hard tackling was seen from Billy Lamb, Marcus Ashton and Riley Butcher. Man of the match went to Kobe Frampton.

The Roosters defeated the Tigers 22-12 in the U11s, while the Knights were too good for the Bulldogs, 30-12. 

In rep, the U7 Pickers played a great game against the Kangaroos. The boys showed a lot of courage and determination to score a 4-3 win. Defence was outstanding, with everybody giving 100 per cent. Tries were scored by Max Anderson (one) Harry Coddington (three). Kobe Owen was man of the match.

The Young Car Wash U12 Cherrypickers took on the competition leaders Wagga Kangaroos. While they didn't come away with the two points, there’s reason for players and coaching staff to have great confidence heading into the semi-finals. 

Kangaroos got off to an early 12-0 lead, but Young fought back to trail 16-6 at half-time. A try down the short side to Brock Sing led to Lochie Pratt steering the conversion from out wide. Locke Croker continued his outstanding form at fullback with help from Lochie Reilly and Cayleb Flick. 

Young crossed the line again in the second half thanks to Lochie Pratt, with Jack McIllhatton converting to close the gap to 16-12. But a long range try by Wagga was the killer blow. 

Young tried for more points as the siren sounded, with a powerful run from Kyan Kollarik, but finished just short. The score remained 26-12 in the Roos’ favour. 

For Young, Brock and Clay Sing once again led the charge, with Kade Wilder the standout in the forwards. Locke Croker is really playing great footy at the back and Oscar Cunningham had his best game this year. If they continue to play this kind of footy in the finals, they will cause some headaches to their opponents. 

The Young Embroidery Services U13s played Wagga at home on Saturday. The Young side were completely outplayed by their opposition the first time the side met, so they were looking to turn the tables.

The match started well, with Young scoring the opening try to lead 4-0. Things tightened for the next 15 to 20 minutes, with mistakes from both sides – understandable given the conditions. Heading into to half-time, Young scored two more tries and went to the sheds leading 14-0.

In the second half, Young took control of the game. Making fewer mistakes than they did in the first half, they took the game away from Kangaroos, winning 38-4.

Mathew Noakes and Charlie Corcoran led the forwards well, with some great defence from Patrick Sellars. Jordan Wilder was damaging in the backs with some excellent running of the ball. Mitchell Prest was outstanding for Young and was awarded man of the match. Tries for Young were scored by Jordan Wilder (four), Mathew Noakes (two) and Patrick Sellars. Mathew Noakes kicked four goals and Patrick Sellars had one.

Draws for Saturday, July 30: Young v Harden / Boorowa and Gundagai, Town comp 8.30-10am (Rep matches from 10am), Town comp 8.30am: Bulldogs v Roosters, Storm v Manly, Sharks v Eels. 9.10am: Knights v Tigers, Souths v Warriors, Panthers v Broncos, Rep games - Young Vs Harden / Boorowa and Gundagai, Young v Boorowa. Under 10s 10am (mod) 2x20: Young v Harden / Boorowa. Under 8s 10am (mini) 3x10: Young v Harden / Boorowa. Under 6s 10am (mini) 3 x 10: Young v Harden/ Boorowa. Under 11s 10.50 am  (mod) 2x20: Young vs Boorowa. Under 9s 10.40 am  (mini ) 3x10: Young v Harden. Under 7s  10.40am (mini)  3x10: Young v Harden. Under 10s 11.40am (mod) 2 x 20: Young v Harden / Boorowa. League Tag 9s 11.20am (mini) 3 x10: Young v Boorowa. Under 7s 11.20am (mini) 3x10: Young v Harden / Boorowa. Leaguetag 16s 12pm (mod) (2x20): Young v Harden/ Boorowa. Under 12s 12.30pm  (2x20): Young v Harden (competitive game). League Tag 12s 12.50pm (mod)  (2x20): Young v Harden / Boorowa. Under 13s  1.20pm (2x30): Young v Boorowa (non competitive game). League Tag 12s 1.40pm  (mod)  (2x20): Young v Gundagai. Under 15s  2.30pm (2x30): Young v Gundagai. Under 14s 2.30pm (2x30)

The Young ladies pennant team travelled to Temora on Sunday, July 17 to play Gundagai. The winning team of Liz Harding, Leanne Slater, Michele Blizzard, Cheryl Minehan and Karen Hamilton-Gibbs had a successful day, winning four of five games.

Poor weather meant no play on Saturday or Wednesday. Hopefully some got a game on Thursday in the transferred from Wednesday pros competition. The fifth round of GNSW Medals has been moved to Wednesday, August 10.

Cootamundra's tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3.

On Thursday last week, two keen golfers travelled to Ariah Park and had a successful day. Betty Stanton won the B Grade scratch event. Penny Greaves came home with a bucket of winnings, C Grade scratch with 64 nett, the veterans competition, nearest the pin and the longest drive.  

Michele Blizzard and her helpers conducted a garage sale to raise funds for building maintenance at the club house, with a reasonable amount of books and household goods sold.  

Men's and women's sand and grass greens championships will be held from August 20-21 at Forbes and Grenfell.  Entries close August 5.  Further details can be obtained from the GNSW website.

A four-ball twister is scheduled for this Saturday which, at this stage, is forecast to be cloudy but dry.

The South West Slopes Credit Union winter hockey comp has started, stopped and restarted since the last report.

Games continued after the holiday break on July 16. The Penguins used their respite well and came back firing. After a 0-0 opening half, the Penguins netted seven goals to nil before the final whistle. Scoring was spread amongst Linda Kidd, Alex Blomfield, Alex McLachlan, Joe Zuzek and Nick Dwyer who freed himself from the backs to score after many a fine shot was saved by busy DTS keeper, Sandra Bourke. Only Robyn Veness was able to find the backboard twice.

Cougars drew confidence after holding Red Backs to 1-0 at halftime, with just a goal to Peter Lister separating the teams in the late game. The fine effort of the first half was rewarded midway through the match, as they drew level 1-1 through Tatenda Mkonto.

It was not long lived, as Red Backs fought back strongly to finish with a flurry. Goals to Luke Cosgrove, Elliott Dodd, and two to Geoff Palmer meant they took the match 5-1.

The final contest was a tight affair between Blues and Bears. Even 70 minutes could not separate them. Blues opened with a goal keeper’s favourite penalty stroke converted by Michael Adams.

It remained the only addition to the scorecard before half-time. Jenny McKay levelled for Bears before Alistair Murdoch gave Blues the go-ahead goal for a second time. The result seemed a certainty until Janice Dunk beat the defence to hand Bears a share of the spoils with only seconds to play.

Last week, Bears recorded their first win of the season against DTS, 5-2. They took the lead in the first half, however DTS managed to stay in touch for most of the game. Scoring for Bears was shared by Nicole Holihan and Shaun Stuart.

Incredible defensive skills were displayed in the Cougars v Blues match. Blues kicking back meant that a mountain of field position to Cougars only amounted to a 1-0 half-time lead. Tatenda Mkonto broke the deadlock  after repeated shots at goal had been saved by Michael. Jackson Skillin levelled the scores for the Blues in the second half, before Loren Wilkinson won the accolades of a goal to accompany her regular efforts. Mkonto finished off short corner to take the win late in the game.

The main event was a title fight with top spot on the ladder on line. The undefeated Penguins took on Red Backs after a rain-affected match ended in a draw the first time around.

Natasha Cosgrove gave Red Backs a one-goal buffer at half-time, though Linda Kidd and Michael Ashton responded for Penguins and gave them the lead 2-1 midway through the second half.

The match built in tension as Red Backs prepared themselves for their first loss in two years. However, as is their want, Red Backs levelled with no time to spare through Elliott Dodd who capped a brilliant game with a goal at the last. The 2-2 result meant Penguins retained top position and remain unbeaten this year.

                 GP W D L GF GA GD PTS

This week’s games: Blues v Red Backs, 1.30pm; DTS v Cougars, 3pm.