Sport
7 March, 2025
Wagga South City Bulls win West Wyalong Knockout
Wagga South City Bulls defeat Parkes Spacemen 14-6
IT WAS standing room only despite the oppressive summer heat, as the Wagga South City Bulls claimed the 52nd West Wyalong Rugby League Knockout title with a 14-6 win over a valiant Parkes Spacemen in a thrilling grand final last Saturday night at Ron Crowe Oval.
The Bulls' victory capped an exciting weekend of rugby league that saw teams battle it out in sweltering temperatures upwards of 35-degrees, making their triumph all the more impressive.
South City’s journey to the final began with a strong 16-0 win over the Leeton Galloping Greens, a team boasting two Group 20 premierships this decade. It was no easy feat for the Bulls, who demonstrated their dominance early on but they ground the Greens down and got the nod.
Meanwhile, Parkes started their tournament with a tense 6-all draw against the hosts, West Wyalong, but showed their class in their next match against the Orange CYMS, where they picked up a vital victory 8-6.
The quarter-finals on Day 2 saw some closely contested matches. Forbes triumphed over Cooma, who advanced after Woden fielded a suspended player, the Magpies would come up against the Spacemen in the semi’s as a result.
In the other half of the draw, 5/1 pre-tournament favourites, the Young Cherrypickers, last year’s runners-up and the defending Group 9 premiers, flexed their muscles with a convincing 16-4 win over West Wyalong. The Mallee Men were brave but the Cherrypickers had them camped at their own end of the field forcing them time and again to run off their own line and gave them no field position. South City showed no signs of slowing down, defeating Hay 26-12 to secure the last semi-final spot against the Hilltops side from Young.
The semi-finals were a true test of the competition’s top teams. In the first match, Parkes took a commanding 12-0 lead over Forbes before the Magpies mounted a brave comeback to level the score at 12-all at the break in 37 degree heat. However, a try on the buzzer from Parkes sealed the result, sending them through to the final and breaking Magpie fans hearts. In the second semi, South City faced off against the Young Cherrypickers in a brutal arm wrestle. The Bulls held strong, edging out Young 8-0 despite numerous attacking raids from the Cherrypickers, who were spearheaded by the powerful prop Tom Giles. They Cherrypickers would have been pondering “what could have been” after the match letting some chances slip against the Wagga outfit.
The grand final between Parkes and Wagga South City saw the Bulls showcase their experience and composure. Despite Parkes’ heroic efforts and the exhausting effects of their earlier semi-final, South City controlled much of the game, eventually sealing a 14-6 victory. The Spacemen struggled to find their footing after their intense semi-final win, while the Bulls appeared fresher, able to execute their game plan with precision and confidence.
South City coach Cleve McGhie praised his team’s performance, calling their West Wyalong Knockout success the beginning of a new chapter for the Bulls.
"This is a fantastic result for the club," McGhie said.
"We’ve worked hard to get to this point, and we’re excited to build on this momentum. This is just the start of what we hope will be a resurgence for the South City Bulls."
The win also marked a return to prominence for the Bulls, who are now eyeing greater success in the 2025 rugby league season. The squad’s mix of seasoned veterans and young talent proved too much for their rivals, and with this victory, South City looks poised for a competitive year ahead.
As the sun set on a memorable weekend of rugby league in West Wyalong, the Wagga South City Bulls celebrated their victory, knowing this win is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting chapter for the team. From all reports, this one was one of the best events for a while and talk is already beginning for next year.
With large well-behaved crowds and Ron ‘Rambo’ Gibbs as special guest, the West Wyalong Knockout 2025 edition won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
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