By JAMIE PARSONS

Barellan and Rankins Springs have put one foot in the top four with wins over Goolgowi and Hillston respectively, while Narrandera got on the winner’s list for the first time in 2025 in the Proten Cup competition.

After a disappointing result from last week’s incident for the Rabbitohs and Bluebirds, both losing two competition points as well as two players each to suspension for the rest of the year, both teams furthered their disappointment with losses on Saturday, now likely needing to win all their remaining games to make the top four.

The Bluebirds started the better against the Dragons, with a scrum play sending winger Tale Delai racing away to score the first before prop Jason Cronin got one back for the Dragons.

A try either side of halftime had Hillston up 16-6 but three tries in 10 minutes to the Dragons got them back in front, with a late penalty goal sealing the result.

Barellan blasted Goolgowi off the park early to lead 18-0 after only 10 minutes, with Goolgowi short on players with three Dragons and one Bluebird backing up for them.

Captain Henry Taylor got over the line for Goolgowi and they held the Rams out for the rest of the half. The second half was all the Rams again with Mesulame Navakayala scoring two along with fullback Fred Herrmann. Barellan managing their biggest win over Goolgowi 38-10.

The final game began with a minute’s silence for several Narrandera community members lost over the past year including Shaurntae Lyons, mother of several current Lizards players including captain-coach Malek Afuamua, who was back on the park today after suspension.

Deniliquin shocked Narrandera early after a dropped kick-off led to Jamin Jones scoring after three tackles for the Blueheelers. They wouldn’t trouble the scorers again though with the Lizards dominating the rest of the game with returning fullback Caleb Atkinson scoring three tries and assisting in three more.

The women’s teams had a general bye this round.

Final Scores

Rankins Springs 24 (Jason Cronin, Billy Vearing, Thomas Judd, Bart McIntyre tries; Damian Walker 4 goals) defeated Hillston 16 (Tale Delai, Connor Eade, Ratu Ketewai tries; Jed Webster 2 goals)

Barellan 38 (Mesulame Navakayala 2, Fred Herrmann 2, Noah Forbutt, Tom Bartter, Luke Farmer tries; Noah Forbutt 5 goals) defeated Goolgowi 10 (Henry Taylor, Bodhy Martin tries; Henry Taylor 1 goal).

Narrandera 46 (Caleb Atkinson 3, Jahrel Tereva 2, Jeremy Hampton, Rowan Matthews, Jamain Morgan tries; Jakeem Morgan 7 goals) defeated Deniliquin 4 (Jamin Jones try).

* Goolgowi and Hillston lost two competition points due to an incident in Round 3.

Round 5 Previews

The Proten Cup heads to Hillston as the competition enters the second half of the season.

The girls are back on board after a general bye, with Deniliquin enjoying the week off for the men’s, while the Ivanhoe Hens have their second of three weeks off, with a bye between the two general byes.

Barellan will look to wrap up top spot in the women’s against Goolgowi and Ivanhoe, Barellan and Rankins Springs will each be looking to go top of the ladder in the men’s.

Women’s Games

Goolgowi v Barellan – 12pm

Barellan have not played for several weeks but have surely kept up their fitness during the break. The Goolgowi girls had a good win last start versus Hillston but the Rams are a different story. Barellan will just about wrap up their third straight minor premiership with a win here. Last match-up was a big 46-0 win to the Rams in round two last year.

Head-to-Head: Barellan 2, Goolgowi 0

Record at Hillston

Barellan won 2, lost 0

Goolgowi won 0, lost 3

Hillston v Rankins Springs – 12.40pm

Despite valiant efforts the Bluebirds girls don’t have a win to their name yet in 2025. This is likely their best opportunity and might be their last to stake a claim for the finals with only a last round game versus the Hens to come.

The Dragonettes will be without halfback Tiarra Hardwick and will rely on their forwards to get the win. Their last game was a win to the Dragonettes, 14-4 in Round 6.

Head-to-Head: Rankins Springs 6, Hillston 0, Drew 1

Record at Hillston:

Hillston won 1, lost 4

Rankins Springs won 1, lost 3

Men’s Games

Goolgowi v Narrandera – 1.40pm

Old competition dominants find themselves in unfamiliar territory in 2025, both losing two games so far with Narrandera above Goolgowi on the ladder only due to Goolgowi’s lost two competition points.

Goolgowi had good performances v Deni and Hillston and will hope a few more show up for them this week. A win here could have them jump back into the top four.

Narrandera had their best performance last week but with a two and a half hour trip ahead of them will also be hoping for good numbers.

Head-to-Head: Goolgowi 6, Narrandera 4

Record at Hillston:

Goolgowi won 5, lost 3

Narrandera won 4, lost 3

Ivanhoe v Rankins Springs - 2.50pm

The Roosters are top of the table for the first time since 2022 and look the goods so far. Their defence has been very tight only conceding 22 points in three games which if they keep up will undoubtedly be the deciding factor here.

The Dragons have plenty of attacking strike and will need to be at their best to get through the Ivanhoe wall. These teams couldn’t be separated last year with draws in both Round 1 and the preliminary final.

Head-to-Head: Rankins Springs 4, Ivanhoe 3, Drew 2.

Record at Hillston:

Ivanhoe won 3, lost 5

Rankins Springs won 5, lost 2, drew 1

Hillston v Barellan – 4pm

After a big start against Deni, Hillston have crashed back to earth with two close losses in a row. The Bluebirds need a win here to stay in touch with the top four.

Barellan with a bye to come had all but wrapped up a finals spot and with a win could lock up a home final with only Deniliquin to come. Last time these two played it was a massive 60-6 win for the Rams in Round 1 last year.

Head-to-Head: Barellan 4, Hillston 3

Record at Hillston:

Hillston won 4, lost 4

Barellan won 1, lost 5, drew 1