North West Sport

The Walcha Rams have produced an almighty second-half of rugby, to now advance to the Central North decider. Their eight-point win over Moree yesterday sets up a grand final replay with the Tamworth Pirates.  

The Inverell Saints have been crowned the North West AFL premiers for season 2018. The Saints held off a final term fight-back from the Gunnedah Bulldogs, to win the flag.  

The in-form Gunnedah Bulldogs are up-against the consistency of the North Tamworth Bears tomorrow. In a Group 4 rugby league grand final for the ages, as the Bears chase a fifth straight premiership.  

They’re only one win away from yet another grand final, but the Walcha Rams need to overcome Moree this weekend if they’re to have a shot. After a bruising one-point loss in last year’s decider, the Rams know exactly what’s required to get there.

It was a chance for members of Tamworth’s Freestyle Gym to pit themselves against the very best. Last weekend’s New South Wales Bouldering Championships in Sydney the first, but probably not the last, for many.  

North Tamworth Bears captain-coach, Scott Blanch has taken out this year’s Best and Fairest Award at the Group 4 rugby league presentation night. Blanch polled 17 points to beat Gunnedah Bulldogs player Haydon Smith on 11. It was Blanch’s second Best and Fairest Award in three years, having won the coveted accolade in 2016. He’ll now turn his focus towards this Sunday, where he’ll look to lead the Bears to their fifth consecutive grand final win over Gunnedah.  

The New South Wales Country Eagles are facing a big challenge at the beginning of their National Rugby Championship campaign, travelling to Perth to play the Western Force this weekend. Captained by Tamworth’s Paddy Ryan, this year’s Eagles squad has strong ties to rural New South Wales, according to coach Darren Coleman. “The squad is a mixed group, we’re at about 60 per cent of our squad are country-origin guys, which is a really great thing, so when we do go out to the bush, that’ll have extra significance and meaning for those boys.” Glen Innes player Alex Newsome and Narrabri’s Will McDonald will also line-up for the Eagles, along with former Tamworth Pirate Mick Snowden. “Yeah it’s going to be great, we’re off to, we’re returning back to Armidale and Tamworth, we’ve had great times up there in the …

There’s been some exciting news this week for the code’s up-and-comers, with the Northern Inland Academy of Sport announcing the return of its program in 2019. The academy’s rugby union component was put on hold this year. CEO James Cooper is thrilled to see it return and he says next year’s going to be a big one. “We’re bringing it back in, under-13s, 15-a-side and we’re going to do a tour to New Zealand at the back end of next year, applications are open now, we’ll move into trials early next year.” PLEASE NOTE: SOME AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.    

They’re reached the grand final the hard way this year, a vast contrast to 2017 for the Gunnedah Bulldogs. They now face Inverell in Saturday’s North West AFL decider, an occasion that marks 150 games for coach Andrew George.  

Rugby league legends have rolled into Tamworth this afternoon as part of the ‘Hogs for Farmers’ tour. Blues coach Brad Fittler dropped in to a local pub this afternoon shouting drinks and aiming to boost spirits during the big dry. “Generally get up here and talk about, obviously the topic of conversation is the drought, so have a yarn about what they’re going through and just see if we can have a fun night and meet some people.” From selfies to signatures, it was smiles from ear to ear in the full house. NOTE: AUDIO IN PARTS ONLY