Group 6 Rugby League
Encyclopedia
Group 6 is a senior Rugby League
competition in New South Wales
, Australia
, run under the auspices of the Country Rugby League
.
The geographical area covered by Group 6 takes in much of the Southern Highlands
and southern Macarthur
regions of New South Wales, extending from Moss Vale, New South Wales
in the south to Mount Annan
/the M5
in the north and Warragamba
in the west.
In 2011, Group 6 will feature two divisions- 1st Division and 2nd Division.
The 1st Division competition consists of:
The 2nd Division competition consists of:
* Oakdale Workers RLFC do not field a junior division due to their close proximity to The Oaks Tigers RLFC. Junior Rugby League in this area was once played by the now defunct Burragorang JRLFC until the late 1980s
area participated in the 1st Division Group 6 competition from 1946- 1983. These clubs included:
Other clubs from Campbelltown to feature in the 2nd Division and 3rd Division leagues from 1973-1983 included:
Other clubs to have played in Group 6 include:
In 1933 the Berrima league broke into Northern and Southern competitions.
1946- 1968: Highland Fling
'Group 6', as it is now known, officially commenced in 1946 with Campbelltown Kangaroos claiming the inaugural premiership undefeated.
Bowral Blues and Mittagong Lions would dominate these years.
Picton Magpies would win the Group's first ever Clayton Cup with an undefeated season in 1966 under the captain- coaching of Billy Peel. The Magpies were on track to go back-to-back in 1967, entering the 1967 decider undefeated. However, in one of the Group's biggest ever boilovers, Mittagong Lions rolled the black 'n whites, denying Picton a certain back-to-back Clayton Cup.
1969- 1983: Campbelltown City Kangaroos. One of the CRL's Greatest Clubs Dominates.
This period marks the era of the Campbelltown clubs. The rapid expansion of the Sydney metropolitan area saw a population boom in the Campbelltown area. New suburbs brought new clubs. After Campbelltown Kangaroos defeated the Bowral Blues 22-3 in the 1969 Grand Final, two new clubs were formed- the Campbelltown RSL Warriors and Campbelltown Collegians.
Captain- coached by former St George Dragons hooker Ray Corkery, the Kangaroos would win three successive Group 6 premierships- defeating Oakdale Workers in 1970 and the RSL Warriors in 1971.
Now known as the Campbelltown City Kangaroos, the club started to enshrine its Group 6 dominance with the construction of a Leagues Club to finance its League teams. This club has now morphed into Wests Leagues Campbelltown.
Contending for 4 straight premierships in 1972, the Roos were controversially defeated by Camden in the major semi final of that year. The RSL Warriors would go on to defeat Camden in the 1972 Grand Final.
Campbelltown City soon struck back though with the signature of Canterbury & Australian test centre Johnny Greaves. Greaves, possibly the best player the Group has seen, captain- coached the 'Roos to another treble- defeating Campbelltown Collegians in 1973 and Ingleburn Bulldogs in 1974 & 1975.
The Oaks would win their first premiership with a dogged 16-10 victory in the 1976 decider over Camden Rams. Captain- coached by the mercurial Les Williams, the Tigers had a week earlier thwarted City's attempts to become the first Group 6 club to win 4 consecutive premierships. Williams' men would repeat the dose in 1977 with a 22-3 thumping of Camden again. These years would prove bitter sweet for the Camden club, losing all 3 grades on Grand Final day in 1976 and 1977. Ingleburn Bulldogs lowered the Rams colours in consecutive reserve grade grand finals of 1976 & 1977.
Camden would finally break the spell with victory over the Campbelltown RSL Warriors in the 1978 Premiership. Camden's jinx returned though with the Warriors claiming revenge in 1979 with a 9-2 victory over the Rams.
Spurred into action by their first ever wooden spoon in 1979 (the first time they had missed the semi finals since 1963), Campbelltown City sought revenge for the 1980 premiership, indulging in a recruitment drive that brought former Australian schoolboy representative Paul Murray to the club as captain-coach and Bulldogs legend and hardman Phil Charlton to the club to beef up the front row. With local prominent solicitor John Marsden behind them, the 'Roos would become the first club in Group 6 history to go from last to first in one season. Murray's men lost only two games that season, going on to record a dominant 25-9 victory over the Picton Magpies in the 1980 Grand Final.
Picton would turn the tables on the 'Roos in the 1981 Grand Final, emerging triumphant 15-11. Picton were led to victory by the dominance of captain Ron Kain in the scrum, starving the brilliant City backline of possession.
The early 80s also saw the emergence of a brilliant Moss Vale Dragons team. Based around the youthful potential from their 1979 Reserve Grade and U/18s premiership team from 1980, the Dragons would win the 1982, 1984 and 1990 1st Grade premierships. A very exciting and tough team, the Dragons were brilliantly led by captain- coach Brian Milthorpe and boasted quality 1st Graders like Mark Knight, Chris Cumming, Owen Saunders, John Burke, Terry Loader and Shane Green.
By 1983, it was fairly apparent that there was a significant separation between the Campbelltown clubs and the rest of the Group, which was still essentially 'country' in nature. Ten out of 15 contested premierships had been won by Campbelltown City (8) or the RSL Warriors (2). There was no sign of this imbalance abating.
The NSWRL ordered ailing premiership club Newtown Jets
to form a merger with the Campbelltown club. The original plan was for Newtown to regroup in the 1984 season on the sidelines and then re-enter the NSWRL premiership in 1985 as the Newtown- Campbelltown Jets. This never eventuated.
As a by-product of this merger, all Campbelltown clubs were ordered by the then NSWRL chairman Kevin Humphreys to join with the Liverpool Rugby League clubs contained within the Parramatta junior league. A Group 6 general committee vote then authorised the transfer of the Campbelltown clubs to the NSWRL.
Fittingly, Campbelltown City Kangaroos would win the last Group 6 premiership they contested in 1983. Finishing the regular season second to the Clayton Cup bound Moss Vale, the 'Roos led by Tim Sheens
lowered the Dragons colours 15-2 in dramatic circumstances at Loseby Park, Bowral in the major semi final of that year. The 'Roos would defeat The Oaks 24-6 in the Grand Final of 1983 at their spiritual base, Orana Park. This would be Campbelltown City's last game as a Country Rugby League club until their return in 2011. Their senior club was a major casualty of the abortive merger with Newtown and it has taken 30 years for the blue and golds to re-emerge in their rightful senior competition.
1984- 2008: A True Country League
With the departure of the Campbelltown clubs, the Group 6 Executive committee abolished 2nd Division and forced all clubs up into 1st Division. Moss Vale would claim the 1984 premiership with a 36-12 crushing of the Camden Rams.
With the loss of the Campbelltown clubs, Moss Vale was left way out in front of the remaining teams- or so it seemed. After cruising through 1984 season, the Dragons were expected to repeat the dose in 1985. With their youthful combination now hitting the peak of its powers, the red and whites destroyed Picton 42-8 in the 1985 Major Semi Final and started at Ajax odds to secure the Premiership in a canter. The Maggies would have other ideas though. Captain- coached by former NSWRL 1st Grader Rod Henniker, Picton caused one of the Group's biggest upsets, turning the tables 16-8 in the 1985 decider at Kirkham Park, Camden.
Group 6 clubs at this time were Moss Vale Dragons, Camden Rams, The Oaks Tigers, Oakdale Workers, Thirlmere Roosters, Picton Magpies, Bowral Blues, Narellan Jets, Mittagong Lions. Robertson Spuddies were still affiliated with the Group but were unable to field 1st Division senior teams until 1988.
Surprisingly, Henniker turned down the 1986 captain- coaching job at Picton. The Magpies certainly didn't let that affect their ambitions, going better and appointing former 1977 and 1979 St George Dragons premiership winner and front row hardman, Robert Stone to steer their club's fortunes. In a true golden era for the black and whites, Stone masterminded the 1986 and 1987 premiership successes at Victoria Park.
1986 saw the NSWRL allow Warragamba Wombats to rejoin Group 6 from the Penrith Junior League. The Wombats were successful in their first season back, with their U/18 team defeating Campbelltown City in the Grand Final. City had been granted special dispensation by the CRL to compete in the U/18 competition only as the Campbelltown- Liverpool competition lacked the numbers to compose a competition in this grade.
Warragamba wouldn't have to wait long for top grade success, claiming the 1989 Grand Final with a 22-12 victory over Oakdale Workers. This has been Warragamba's only 1st Grade premiership to date, with their club falling on tough times in the last decade. The Wombats still contest the Group 6 Second Division premiership.
Mittagong under the coaching of Grahame Andrewes would claim the Group's second Clayton Cup with a dominant undefeated season in 1991. The Lions had to overcome some nervous moments in the Grand Final of that season against a valiant Oakdale Workers team seeking its club's inaugural title. Mittagong would take both the 1st and Reserve Grade premierships that season. Andrewes was the successful mentor behind the Lions' premiership victories of 1988, 1991 and 1995.
1992 had seen the introduction of the powerful Appin Warriors club. Formed from the Campbelltown Warriors A Grade premiership team from the Wests Junior League, they would add value to the League, with the 1994 Grand Final loss to Camden Rams being their high water mark. The Warriors would come close to the senior treble that 1994 GF day, winning the U/18s and Reserve Grade against Camden, before the Rams claimed the one that mattered with a 26-4 rout of Appin. A major act of vandalism that night though by Warriors players against the very shops that sponsored them would eventually cost them their club, as they petared out at the end of the 1997 season.
The Oaks Tigers would break their premiership drought in 1992 with a commanding win over Picton. Based around a brutal forward pack that contained ex- Sydney 1st Graders Marty Quinn and Paul Fuz, the Tigers left all in their wake in a dominant season.
Oakdale Workers would claim their inaugural and only Group 6 1st Grade title with a 29-4 victory over Camden Rams at Kirkham Park. Ably led by Brian Taylor and Terry Broadhead, the red and blacks capped a fine season on the day when it mattered most.
With the construction of new suburbs towards the northern end of Camden Council, both the Camden and Narellan clubs started to dominate the group towards the end of the 90s. A new club, Mount Annan Knights emerged, playing in the 1st Grade competition from 1998-2000. Mount Annan would struggle though alongside Narellan and Camden, eventually returning to 2nd Division.
Coached by Jamie Horner, Thirlmere Roosters would claim the last Group 6 competition under the old format with a thrilling 19-16 victory over Oakdale Workers at Community Oval, Moss Vale.
By around 2005, it was clear that both the former Campbelltown area of the Group and indeed the Group itself were struggling to compose viable senior competitions. The Wests JL had fielded varying 5-7 team A Grade competitions since 1997, with all games being played at the same venue. Furthermore, some years had seen Wests A Grade teams have to travel to the Canterbury or Parramatta Junior Leagues to compete. Group 6 had split into the haves and have nots, with the disparity of player payments at first producing an uneven competition, before the non-competitive clubs were forced into the DNC Cup. By 2007, Group 6 1st Grade competition (competed for by 12 senior clubs in 1992) had reduced to 5 teams. The Reserve Grade competition was as equally effected.
Various overtures were made between the governing bodies to seek an agreement as to forming a joint competition from 2005 onwards. For whatever reasons, agreement was unable to be reached for some time. Following the end of the 2008 season, both areas took votes with regard to rejoining of the old competition. While the clubs of the Wests JL agreed, Group 6 clubs voted against.
2009: The Combined Competition: A New Era Commences or does it?
After years of senior Rugby League decline in both the former Campbelltown area of the Group and the Group itself, the NSWRL and CRL agreed to form a joint senior competition for the Wests Junior League and Group 6 areas.
This competition involved ten 1st Grade clubs. Picton Magpies RLFC under the coaching of local junior and former Wests Magpies NRL Second Rower Gary Dowse claimed the first reunified premiership with a 26-12 triumph over arch-rivals Thirlmere Roosters at Kirkham Park, Camden. The combined competition fielded 54 teams in 1st Grade, Reserve Grade, 3rd Grade and through four U/18 divisions.
While the competition had its detractors, local and State League administrators viewed the reunification as a vital bulwark against the impending threat from the AFL as it seeks to establish a second team supported by Western Sydney.
2011: CRL Group 6
*1991: Mittagong Lions RLFC (Non- playing coach: Grahame Andrews)
CRL Clayton Cup
Winners
*Campbelltown clubs left Group 6 at this point to form the Newtown- Campbelltown Junior League
*1966: Picton Magpies RLFC (Captain Coach- Billy Peel)
CRL Clayton Cup
Winners
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
competition in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, run under the auspices of the Country Rugby League
New South Wales Country Rugby League
-2011 Tier 2 Championships:-History:Newcastle was the first city outside Sydney to start a league competition, being involved in the Sydney Premiership in 1908-09 and then starting their own competition in 1910....
.
The geographical area covered by Group 6 takes in much of the Southern Highlands
Southern Highlands, New South Wales
The Southern Highlands, also locally referred to as the Highlands, is a geographical region and district in New South Wales, Australia and is 110 km south-west of Sydney. The entire region is under the local government area of the Wingecarribee Shire...
and southern Macarthur
Macarthur, New South Wales
Macarthur is a region in south-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The region includes the local government areas of the City of Campbelltown, Camden Council and Wollondilly Shire. It covers an area of 3,067 square kilometres and has a population of close to 240,000 residents...
regions of New South Wales, extending from Moss Vale, New South Wales
Moss Vale, New South Wales
Moss Vale is a town in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, in Wingecarribee Shire. It has a population of 7,339 and is sited on the Illawarra Highway, which connects to Wollongong and the Illawarra coast via Macquarie Pass...
in the south to Mount Annan
Mount Annan, New South Wales
Mount Annan is a suburb of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Mount Annan is located 60 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Camden Council and is part of the Macarthur region.-History:...
/the M5
M5 South Western Motorway
The M5 South Western Motorway is a privately operated tolled motorway in south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It forms part of Sydney Metroad 5 and the Sydney Orbital Network...
in the north and Warragamba
Warragamba, New South Wales
Warragamba is a town in New South Wales, Australia, in Wollondilly Shire. Located on the eastern edge of the Blue Mountains, Warragamba is one and a half hour's drive west of Sydney. The name Warragamba comes from the aboriginal words Warra and Gamba meaning water running over rocks...
in the west.
Senior Clubs
The following clubs in Group 6 field all or some teams in the senior 1st Grade, Reserve Grade, 2nd Division and U/18s Group competitions.In 2011, Group 6 will feature two divisions- 1st Division and 2nd Division.
The 1st Division competition consists of:
| Club | Homeground |
|---|---|
| Camden Rams | Kirkham Park, Elderslie |
| Campbelltown City Kangaroos | Onslow Park (Camden Showground), Camden Camden, New South Wales -Education:Camden is the location of research facilities for the veterinary and agricultural schools of the University of Sydney. The local government area has two public high schools, Camden High School and Elderslie High School, as well as eight Catholic and three Anglican schools.-Culture:The... |
| Campbelltown Eagles | Hannaford Park, Wilton / Onslow Park, Camden |
| Mittagong Lions | Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong Mittagong, New South Wales Mittagong is a town located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, in Wingecarribee Shire. At the 2006 census, Mittagong had a population of 7,460 people. The town can be seen as the gateway to the Southern Highlands when coming from Sydney. The town is close to Bowral, Berrima,... |
| Moss Vale Dragons | Community Oval, Moss Vale Moss Vale, New South Wales Moss Vale is a town in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, in Wingecarribee Shire. It has a population of 7,339 and is sited on the Illawarra Highway, which connects to Wollongong and the Illawarra coast via Macquarie Pass... |
| Narellan Jets | Narellan Sports Ground, Narellan Narellan, New South Wales Narellan is a suburb of the Macarthur Region of Sydney in the state of New South Wales, Australia in Camden Council.-History:The area now known as Narellan was probably originally home to the Tharawal people, based in the Illawarra region, although the Western Sydney-based Darug people and the... |
| Oakdale Workers | Sid Sharpe Memorial Oval, Oakdale Oakdale, New South Wales Oakdale is a semi-rural suburb or district in Wollondilly Shire in Sydney's southwest in New South Wales. At the 2006 census, Oakdale had a population of 1,006 people.-Notes and references:... |
| Picton Magpies | Victoria Park, Picton Picton, New South Wales Picton is a small town in the Macarthur Region of New South Wales, Australia, in the Wollondilly Shire. The town is located 80 kilometres South-west of Sydney, close to Camden and Campbelltown. It is also the administrative centre of Wollondilly Shire.... |
| The Oaks Tigers | Dudley Chesham Sports Ground, The Oaks The Oaks, New South Wales The Oaks is a town located in the Macarthur Region of New South Wales, Australia in Wollondilly Shire on the south western edge of the Sydney Basin. The Oaks is located south-west of Sydney via the Hume Highway, west of Camden and 290m above sea-level... |
| Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters | Thirlmere Sports Ground, Thirlmere Thirlmere, New South Wales Thirlmere is a small semi-rural town in the Macarthur Region of New South Wales, Australia, in Wollondilly Shire. Popularly known for its railway origins, the town is located 89 km south west of Sydney , one third of the distance from Sydney to Canberra... |
The 2nd Division competition consists of:
- Appin Dogs- 2011 Second Division Premiers
- Warragamba Wombats
- Bowral Blues
- Campbelltown City Kangaroos
- Campbelltown Eagles
- The Oaks Tigers
- Macarthur Bulls
- Robertson Spuddies
Group 6 Junior League
The following clubs in field teams in the Group 6 junior competition which runs competitions from the U/7s to U/16s. Fixtures are played of a Saturday from early April until September.- Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters
- Moss Vale Dragons
- Camden Rams
- Picton Magpies
- Narellan Jets
- The Oaks RLFC
- Appin Dogs
- Mount Annan-Currans Hill Knights
- Mittagong Lions
- Warragamba Wombats
- Bowral Kookaburras
- Robertson Spuddies
* Oakdale Workers RLFC do not field a junior division due to their close proximity to The Oaks Tigers RLFC. Junior Rugby League in this area was once played by the now defunct Burragorang JRLFC until the late 1980s
Past Clubs
Clubs from the greater Campbelltown, New South WalesCampbelltown, New South Wales
Campbelltown is a suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Campbelltown is located 51 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Campbelltown.- History :Campbelltown...
area participated in the 1st Division Group 6 competition from 1946- 1983. These clubs included:
- Campbelltown City Kangaroos (1946–1983)
- Campbelltown Warriors (1970–1983)
- Campbelltown Collegians (1970–1983)
- Ingleburn Bulldogs (1974–1983)
- Leumeah Wolves (1971–1977)
Other clubs from Campbelltown to feature in the 2nd Division and 3rd Division leagues from 1973-1983 included:
- Macquarie Fields Hawks
- Cross Roads Tavern
- Tharawal Ghosts
- Airds Colts
- Claymore Panthers
- Campbelltown Sharks
- Minto Cobras
- Ingleburn RSL
Other clubs to have played in Group 6 include:
- Goulburn (2007 Premiers)
- The Bowral- Robertson Pioneers
- Appin Warriors
- Berrima Gaol 'The Colts'
- Berrima
- Wingello
- Bargo
- Bundanoon
- Wildes Meadow
- Sutton Forest
Matchday
A successful U/18s League also forms part of the senior Sunday matchday in Group 6. Gameday normally follows this schedule:- 11.30am: U/18s
- 1.00pm: Reserve Grade
- 2.30pm: 1st Grade
History
Rugby Union was played in the area as far back as 1890, with the Berrima District Rugby League making its debut in 1914. Teams in the 1914 premiership were Picton, Robertson, Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Thirlmere and Wildes Meadow.In 1933 the Berrima league broke into Northern and Southern competitions.
1946- 1968: Highland Fling
'Group 6', as it is now known, officially commenced in 1946 with Campbelltown Kangaroos claiming the inaugural premiership undefeated.
Bowral Blues and Mittagong Lions would dominate these years.
Picton Magpies would win the Group's first ever Clayton Cup with an undefeated season in 1966 under the captain- coaching of Billy Peel. The Magpies were on track to go back-to-back in 1967, entering the 1967 decider undefeated. However, in one of the Group's biggest ever boilovers, Mittagong Lions rolled the black 'n whites, denying Picton a certain back-to-back Clayton Cup.
1969- 1983: Campbelltown City Kangaroos. One of the CRL's Greatest Clubs Dominates.
This period marks the era of the Campbelltown clubs. The rapid expansion of the Sydney metropolitan area saw a population boom in the Campbelltown area. New suburbs brought new clubs. After Campbelltown Kangaroos defeated the Bowral Blues 22-3 in the 1969 Grand Final, two new clubs were formed- the Campbelltown RSL Warriors and Campbelltown Collegians.
Captain- coached by former St George Dragons hooker Ray Corkery, the Kangaroos would win three successive Group 6 premierships- defeating Oakdale Workers in 1970 and the RSL Warriors in 1971.
Now known as the Campbelltown City Kangaroos, the club started to enshrine its Group 6 dominance with the construction of a Leagues Club to finance its League teams. This club has now morphed into Wests Leagues Campbelltown.
Contending for 4 straight premierships in 1972, the Roos were controversially defeated by Camden in the major semi final of that year. The RSL Warriors would go on to defeat Camden in the 1972 Grand Final.
Campbelltown City soon struck back though with the signature of Canterbury & Australian test centre Johnny Greaves. Greaves, possibly the best player the Group has seen, captain- coached the 'Roos to another treble- defeating Campbelltown Collegians in 1973 and Ingleburn Bulldogs in 1974 & 1975.
The Oaks would win their first premiership with a dogged 16-10 victory in the 1976 decider over Camden Rams. Captain- coached by the mercurial Les Williams, the Tigers had a week earlier thwarted City's attempts to become the first Group 6 club to win 4 consecutive premierships. Williams' men would repeat the dose in 1977 with a 22-3 thumping of Camden again. These years would prove bitter sweet for the Camden club, losing all 3 grades on Grand Final day in 1976 and 1977. Ingleburn Bulldogs lowered the Rams colours in consecutive reserve grade grand finals of 1976 & 1977.
Camden would finally break the spell with victory over the Campbelltown RSL Warriors in the 1978 Premiership. Camden's jinx returned though with the Warriors claiming revenge in 1979 with a 9-2 victory over the Rams.
Spurred into action by their first ever wooden spoon in 1979 (the first time they had missed the semi finals since 1963), Campbelltown City sought revenge for the 1980 premiership, indulging in a recruitment drive that brought former Australian schoolboy representative Paul Murray to the club as captain-coach and Bulldogs legend and hardman Phil Charlton to the club to beef up the front row. With local prominent solicitor John Marsden behind them, the 'Roos would become the first club in Group 6 history to go from last to first in one season. Murray's men lost only two games that season, going on to record a dominant 25-9 victory over the Picton Magpies in the 1980 Grand Final.
Picton would turn the tables on the 'Roos in the 1981 Grand Final, emerging triumphant 15-11. Picton were led to victory by the dominance of captain Ron Kain in the scrum, starving the brilliant City backline of possession.
The early 80s also saw the emergence of a brilliant Moss Vale Dragons team. Based around the youthful potential from their 1979 Reserve Grade and U/18s premiership team from 1980, the Dragons would win the 1982, 1984 and 1990 1st Grade premierships. A very exciting and tough team, the Dragons were brilliantly led by captain- coach Brian Milthorpe and boasted quality 1st Graders like Mark Knight, Chris Cumming, Owen Saunders, John Burke, Terry Loader and Shane Green.
By 1983, it was fairly apparent that there was a significant separation between the Campbelltown clubs and the rest of the Group, which was still essentially 'country' in nature. Ten out of 15 contested premierships had been won by Campbelltown City (8) or the RSL Warriors (2). There was no sign of this imbalance abating.
The NSWRL ordered ailing premiership club Newtown Jets
Newtown Jets
The Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
to form a merger with the Campbelltown club. The original plan was for Newtown to regroup in the 1984 season on the sidelines and then re-enter the NSWRL premiership in 1985 as the Newtown- Campbelltown Jets. This never eventuated.
As a by-product of this merger, all Campbelltown clubs were ordered by the then NSWRL chairman Kevin Humphreys to join with the Liverpool Rugby League clubs contained within the Parramatta junior league. A Group 6 general committee vote then authorised the transfer of the Campbelltown clubs to the NSWRL.
Fittingly, Campbelltown City Kangaroos would win the last Group 6 premiership they contested in 1983. Finishing the regular season second to the Clayton Cup bound Moss Vale, the 'Roos led by Tim Sheens
Tim Sheens
Tim Sheens is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He currently coaches the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League and in 2009 was appointed coach of the Australian national team, the Kangaroos...
lowered the Dragons colours 15-2 in dramatic circumstances at Loseby Park, Bowral in the major semi final of that year. The 'Roos would defeat The Oaks 24-6 in the Grand Final of 1983 at their spiritual base, Orana Park. This would be Campbelltown City's last game as a Country Rugby League club until their return in 2011. Their senior club was a major casualty of the abortive merger with Newtown and it has taken 30 years for the blue and golds to re-emerge in their rightful senior competition.
1984- 2008: A True Country League
With the departure of the Campbelltown clubs, the Group 6 Executive committee abolished 2nd Division and forced all clubs up into 1st Division. Moss Vale would claim the 1984 premiership with a 36-12 crushing of the Camden Rams.
With the loss of the Campbelltown clubs, Moss Vale was left way out in front of the remaining teams- or so it seemed. After cruising through 1984 season, the Dragons were expected to repeat the dose in 1985. With their youthful combination now hitting the peak of its powers, the red and whites destroyed Picton 42-8 in the 1985 Major Semi Final and started at Ajax odds to secure the Premiership in a canter. The Maggies would have other ideas though. Captain- coached by former NSWRL 1st Grader Rod Henniker, Picton caused one of the Group's biggest upsets, turning the tables 16-8 in the 1985 decider at Kirkham Park, Camden.
Group 6 clubs at this time were Moss Vale Dragons, Camden Rams, The Oaks Tigers, Oakdale Workers, Thirlmere Roosters, Picton Magpies, Bowral Blues, Narellan Jets, Mittagong Lions. Robertson Spuddies were still affiliated with the Group but were unable to field 1st Division senior teams until 1988.
Surprisingly, Henniker turned down the 1986 captain- coaching job at Picton. The Magpies certainly didn't let that affect their ambitions, going better and appointing former 1977 and 1979 St George Dragons premiership winner and front row hardman, Robert Stone to steer their club's fortunes. In a true golden era for the black and whites, Stone masterminded the 1986 and 1987 premiership successes at Victoria Park.
1986 saw the NSWRL allow Warragamba Wombats to rejoin Group 6 from the Penrith Junior League. The Wombats were successful in their first season back, with their U/18 team defeating Campbelltown City in the Grand Final. City had been granted special dispensation by the CRL to compete in the U/18 competition only as the Campbelltown- Liverpool competition lacked the numbers to compose a competition in this grade.
Warragamba wouldn't have to wait long for top grade success, claiming the 1989 Grand Final with a 22-12 victory over Oakdale Workers. This has been Warragamba's only 1st Grade premiership to date, with their club falling on tough times in the last decade. The Wombats still contest the Group 6 Second Division premiership.
Mittagong under the coaching of Grahame Andrewes would claim the Group's second Clayton Cup with a dominant undefeated season in 1991. The Lions had to overcome some nervous moments in the Grand Final of that season against a valiant Oakdale Workers team seeking its club's inaugural title. Mittagong would take both the 1st and Reserve Grade premierships that season. Andrewes was the successful mentor behind the Lions' premiership victories of 1988, 1991 and 1995.
1992 had seen the introduction of the powerful Appin Warriors club. Formed from the Campbelltown Warriors A Grade premiership team from the Wests Junior League, they would add value to the League, with the 1994 Grand Final loss to Camden Rams being their high water mark. The Warriors would come close to the senior treble that 1994 GF day, winning the U/18s and Reserve Grade against Camden, before the Rams claimed the one that mattered with a 26-4 rout of Appin. A major act of vandalism that night though by Warriors players against the very shops that sponsored them would eventually cost them their club, as they petared out at the end of the 1997 season.
The Oaks Tigers would break their premiership drought in 1992 with a commanding win over Picton. Based around a brutal forward pack that contained ex- Sydney 1st Graders Marty Quinn and Paul Fuz, the Tigers left all in their wake in a dominant season.
Oakdale Workers would claim their inaugural and only Group 6 1st Grade title with a 29-4 victory over Camden Rams at Kirkham Park. Ably led by Brian Taylor and Terry Broadhead, the red and blacks capped a fine season on the day when it mattered most.
With the construction of new suburbs towards the northern end of Camden Council, both the Camden and Narellan clubs started to dominate the group towards the end of the 90s. A new club, Mount Annan Knights emerged, playing in the 1st Grade competition from 1998-2000. Mount Annan would struggle though alongside Narellan and Camden, eventually returning to 2nd Division.
Coached by Jamie Horner, Thirlmere Roosters would claim the last Group 6 competition under the old format with a thrilling 19-16 victory over Oakdale Workers at Community Oval, Moss Vale.
By around 2005, it was clear that both the former Campbelltown area of the Group and indeed the Group itself were struggling to compose viable senior competitions. The Wests JL had fielded varying 5-7 team A Grade competitions since 1997, with all games being played at the same venue. Furthermore, some years had seen Wests A Grade teams have to travel to the Canterbury or Parramatta Junior Leagues to compete. Group 6 had split into the haves and have nots, with the disparity of player payments at first producing an uneven competition, before the non-competitive clubs were forced into the DNC Cup. By 2007, Group 6 1st Grade competition (competed for by 12 senior clubs in 1992) had reduced to 5 teams. The Reserve Grade competition was as equally effected.
Various overtures were made between the governing bodies to seek an agreement as to forming a joint competition from 2005 onwards. For whatever reasons, agreement was unable to be reached for some time. Following the end of the 2008 season, both areas took votes with regard to rejoining of the old competition. While the clubs of the Wests JL agreed, Group 6 clubs voted against.
2009: The Combined Competition: A New Era Commences or does it?
After years of senior Rugby League decline in both the former Campbelltown area of the Group and the Group itself, the NSWRL and CRL agreed to form a joint senior competition for the Wests Junior League and Group 6 areas.
This competition involved ten 1st Grade clubs. Picton Magpies RLFC under the coaching of local junior and former Wests Magpies NRL Second Rower Gary Dowse claimed the first reunified premiership with a 26-12 triumph over arch-rivals Thirlmere Roosters at Kirkham Park, Camden. The combined competition fielded 54 teams in 1st Grade, Reserve Grade, 3rd Grade and through four U/18 divisions.
While the competition had its detractors, local and State League administrators viewed the reunification as a vital bulwark against the impending threat from the AFL as it seeks to establish a second team supported by Western Sydney.
2011: CRL Group 6
1st Grade Premierships
Bowral Blues RLFC is Group 6's most successful ever club with eleven premiership victories.- 2011: Oakdale Workers RLFC (Non- playing coach- Brendon Reeves)
- 2010: Moss Vale Dragons RLFC (Captain Coach- Willie McDonald)
- 2009: Picton Magpies RLFC (Captain Coach- Gary Dowse)
- 2008: Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters RLFC (Non- playing coach: Jamie Horner)
- 2007: Goulburn DRLFC (Non- playing coach: Mick Mantelli)
- 2006: Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters RLFC (Non- playing coach: Noel Wood)
- 2005: Picton Magpies RLFC (Captain Coach: Gary Dowse)
- 2004: Narellan Jets RLFC (Non- playing coach: Mick Trimarchi)
- 2003: Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters RLFC (Non- playing coach: Noel Wood)
- 2002: Camden Rams RLFC (Captain Coach- Andrew Willis)
- 2001: Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters RLFC (Non- playing coach: Noel Wood)
- 2000: Camden Rams RLFC (Captain Coach- Andrew Willis)
- 1999 Picton Magpies RLFC (Captain Coach - Simon Cox)
- 1998: Camden Rams RLFC (Captain Coach- Peter Gentle)
- 1997: Camden Rams RLFC (Captain Coach- Peter Gentle)
- 1996: Narellan Jets RLFC (Non- playing coach: Frank Marino)
- 1995: Mittagong Lions RLFC (Non- playing coach: Grahame Andrews)
- 1994: Camden Rams RLFC (Captain Coach- David Greene)
- 1993: Oakdale Workers RLFC (Non- playing coach: Frank Marino)
- 1992: The Oaks Tigers RLFC (Non- playing coach: Wayne Couley)
*1991: Mittagong Lions RLFC (Non- playing coach: Grahame Andrews)
CRL Clayton Cup
Clayton Cup
The Clayton Cup is a trophy awarded by the Country Rugby League to the NSW country rugby league team with the best overall record for that season. To be eligible, the team must win the highest level of competition in its region. Usually the winner of the Clayton Cup goes through the season undefeated...
Winners
- 1990: Moss Vale Dragons RLFC (Captain Coach- Ian Clarke)
- 1989: Warragamba Wombats RLFC (Non- playing coach: Mark O'Reilly)
- 1988: Mittagong Lions RLFC (Non- playing coach: Grahame Andrews)
- 1987: Picton Magpies RLFC (Captain Coach- Robert Stone)
- 1986: Picton Magpies RLFC (Captain Coach- Robert Stone)
- 1985: Picton Magpies RLFC (Captain Coach- Rod Henniker)
- 1984: Moss Vale Dragons RLFC (Captain Coach- Brian Milthorpe)
*Campbelltown clubs left Group 6 at this point to form the Newtown- Campbelltown Junior League
- 1983: Campbelltown City Kangaroos RLFC (Non- playing coach: Ray Corkery)
- 1982: Moss Vale Dragons RLFC (Captain Coach- Brian Milthorpe)
- 1981: Picton Magpies RLFC (Non- playing coach: Barry McGlynn)
- 1980: Campbelltown City Kangaroos RLFC (Captain Coach- Paul Murray)
- 1979: Campbelltown RSL Warriors RLFC (Captain Coach- Tony Herring)
- 1978: Camden Rams RLFC (Captain Coach- Rod Jackson)
- 1977: The Oaks Tigers RLFC (Captain Coach- Les Williams)
- 1976: The Oaks Tigers RLFC (Captain Coach- Les Williams)
- 1975: Campbelltown City Kangaroos RLFC (Captain Coach- Johnny Greaves)
- 1974: Campbelltown City Kangaroos RLFC (Captain Coach- Johnny Greaves)
- 1973: Campbelltown City Kangaroos RLFC (Captain Coach- Johnny Greaves)
- 1972: Campbelltown RSL Warriors RLFC (Captain Coach- Doug Page)
- 1971: Campbelltown City Kangaroos RLFC (Captain Coach- Ray Corkery)
- 1970: Campbelltown City Kangaroos RLFC (Captain Coach- Ray Corkery)
- 1969: Campbelltown City Kangaroos RLFC (Captain Coach- Ray Corkery)
- 1968: Bowral Blues (Captain Coach- Terry Johnson)
- 1967: Mittagong Lions (Captain Coach- John Cole)
*1966: Picton Magpies RLFC (Captain Coach- Billy Peel)
CRL Clayton Cup
Clayton Cup
The Clayton Cup is a trophy awarded by the Country Rugby League to the NSW country rugby league team with the best overall record for that season. To be eligible, the team must win the highest level of competition in its region. Usually the winner of the Clayton Cup goes through the season undefeated...
Winners
- 1965: Bowral Blues (Captain Coach- Allan Disher)
- 1964: Mittagong Lions (Captain Coach- Nipper Goldsmith)
- 1963: Mittagong Lions (Captain Coach- Nipper Goldsmith)
- 1962: Mittagong Lions (Captain Coach- Nipper Goldsmith)
- 1961: Bowral Blues (Captain Coach- Jim Doc McLean)
- 1960: Bowral Blues (Captain Coach- Jim Doc McLean)
Memorable Facts/ Unique Stories
- Opposition players in the deep colds of Robertson would quite often resort to drinking nips of rum pre-game to keep warm.
- Robertson's field is in fact on the private farm of the Hindmarshes.
- A Group 6 representative team coached by Ray Corkery defeated the French touring team 2-0 at Orana Park, Campbelltown in 1975 after a power outtage caused the floodlights to fail.
- The New South Wales Department of Corrective Services allowed Berrima Gaol ('The Colts') to field a team in the Second Division competition from 1975-1979. Captain- coached by Ingleburn Bulldogs junior Kevin Holland, this real life team of 'Longest Yarders' claimed the 1975 & 1977 (undefeated) Second Division premierships. In an irony, this team was the best conditioned of any Group 6 team at the time living a professional athlete's life of strength training, cardio conditioning, ball sessions and a rigid, non- alcohol diet (except after matches apparently!) all at the expense of HMG. Berrima defeated Moss Vale 15-13 in the 1975 2nd Division decider and Macquarie Fields 22-11 in the 1977 decider. The Gaol fielded a team in the 1st Division Reserve Grade competition of 1976, qualifying for the preliminary final of that competition before succumbing 18-11 to eventual premiers Ingleburn Bulldogs RLFC.
- Group 6 fielded a 3rd Division competition for the only time in 1981 with Cross Roads Hotel defeating Minto Cobras 28-8 in the Grand Final.
- Picton in 1966 and Mittagong in 1991 are the only Group 6 teams to have won the Clayton CupClayton CupThe Clayton Cup is a trophy awarded by the Country Rugby League to the NSW country rugby league team with the best overall record for that season. To be eligible, the team must win the highest level of competition in its region. Usually the winner of the Clayton Cup goes through the season undefeated...
, awarded for being Country Rugby League's team of the year. Both teams won their Premierships with undefeated records. - Picton were on track for a consecutive undefeated season and Clayton Cup in 1967 until defeated by John Cole's Mittagong team in a massive Grand Final boilover.
- Picton were on the winning side though in the 1985 Grand Final when they defeated Moss Vale 16-8 at Kirkham Park, Camden. This was only two weeks after being decimated 42-8 in the major semi by Mossy.
- The Picton vs East Campbelltown Eagles trial match played on March 29, 2009 was the first time a senior match has occurred between the Campbelltown & Group 6 clubs since 1983. This was also the first time that the Picton club had played at Orana Park/ Campbelltown Stadium since their 1983 minor semi final loss to The Oaks Tigers, captain- coach Ronnie Kain's last match.
- Ron Kain is Group 6's most successful ever player, playing in 7 Grand Final winning teams (Campbelltown City 69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75 & Picton 81)
- No club has won 4 consecutive grand finals in Group 6. The closest teams to this feat were Campbelltown City in 1972 & 1976 and Picton in 1988. All 3 teams were bundled out in the preliminary final of those respective seasons.
- Campbelltown City in 1975 remain the only club to win all 3 Grades- U/18s, Reserve Grade & First Grade in the same year.
- Particularly sweet for City supporters and officials that day was the 40-0 defeat of their local rivals Campbelltown Collegians in the Reserve Grade Grand Final.
- After being wooden spooners in 1979, Campbelltown City claimed the 1980 premiership with a dominant season in which they lost only two games. They remain the only Group 6 side to have gone from last to first in one season. City defeated Picton in the GF of that year 25-9.
- Present Australian Kangaroos and Wests TigersWests TigersThe Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
coach Tim SheensTim SheensTim Sheens is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He currently coaches the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League and in 2009 was appointed coach of the Australian national team, the Kangaroos...
captained the Campbelltown City Kangaroos to the 1st Grade premiership in 1983 with a 24-6 defeat of The Oaks Tigers, C'town City's last match in Group 6.
External links
- Group 6 Country Rugby League - official Group 6 site
- Group 6 on Country Rugby League's official site
- http://www.westsmagpies.net/forum- Group 6 Supporters Forum