Group 6 Rugby League

Group 6 Rugby League
Sport Rugby league
Instituted 1914 (as Berrima District Rugby League)
Inaugural season 1946 (as Group 6)
Number of teams 8 (in First Grade, 17 Clubs)
Country  Australia
Premiers Picton Magpies (2018)
Most titles Picton Magpies (12 titles)
Website Group 6 Homepage

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 Marulan, New South Wales in the south, to Mount Annan/ the M5 in the north and Warragamba 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.

Group 6 features three divisions- 1st Grade, Reserve Grade and 2nd Division.

The 1st Division competition consists of:

Club Homeground
Camden Rams Kirkham Park, Elderslie
Campbelltown City Kangaroos Campbelltown Stadium, Leumeah
Mittagong Lions Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong
Moss Vale Dragons Community Oval, Moss Vale
Narellan Jets Narellan Sports Ground, Narellan
Oakdale Workers Sid Sharpe Memorial Oval, Oakdale
Picton Magpies Victoria Park, Picton
The Oaks Tigers Dudley Chesham Sports Ground, The Oaks
Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters Thirlmere Sports Ground, Thirlmere

The 2nd Division competition consists of:

  • Bargo Bunnies
  • Bowral Blues
  • Appin Dogs
  • Bundanoon Highlanders
  • Narellen Jets
  • Robertson Spuddies
  • Oran park / Gregory Hills
  • Picton Magpies
  • Warragamba Wombats

Group 6 Junior League

The following clubs in field teams in the Group 6 junior competition which runs competitions from the U/6s to U/16s. Fixtures are played of a Saturday from early April until September.

* 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 Wales 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
  • 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:

  • 11.30 am: U/18s
  • 1.00 pm: Reserve Grade
  • 2.30 pm: 1st Grade

History

1914-45: Berrima and Wollondilly

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.[1]

Competition football resumed 1919. [2] During the 1920s Camden, Campbelltown and, in some years, Picton teams played in the Southern Districts Rugby League. [3] Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale and Thirlmere were regulars in the Berrima premiership. From 1924 to 1930, a knockout competition, the Warleigh Cup, was held at the end of the season in senior, reserve and junior grades. [4] Between 1928 and 1930 the Warleigh Cup was played in lieu of premiership finals. [5] In 1931 the cup was held in May. [6]

At the northern end of the region Camden, Campbelltown, Picton left the SDRL and with Bargo and Thirlmere formed the Wollondilly association. Senior and junior competitions were held in 1929. [7] [8]

In the early 1930s, premiership football gave way to a plethora of challenge cups, which had begun to be introduced. [9] The high rate of unemployment was cited as a reason for favouring challenge cups over competition.[10] Typically, a cup was donated to a club and matches were arranged to contest its possession. A cup might change hands multiple times during a season. The club that originally owned a cup often had the right to challenge the holders in the last match of the season in which the cup was on the line. Names of the cups included Sommers, Citizens, Cornwall, Commercial, Dawson-Lack, Dawson-Frazer, Theo Small and Murphy. There were cups for reserve grade – Burchell, Dresher and Whyte – and junior teams – Wales & Jackson.

Competition in a round-robin format resumed in 1935, with Group 6 clubs organised in northern and southern divisions and a handicap system applied. [11] Group 6 disbanded in 1936 and no competition was held. [12]

Berrima District Rugby League reformed and conducted competitions in 1937. Bowral won the final 23 to nil but lost the title on a protest by Mittagong, upheld by the league. A resident of New Berrima had played throughout the season despite not being residentially qualified to play with Bowral. Despite a warning from Mittagong, he played in the final. [13] Berrima mixed a four-team competition with challenge cup matches in 1938.[14] Meanwhile, the re-formed Wollondilly District experimented with a one-day carnival premiership. [15] A re-established Group 6 coordinated a cup draw in 1939.[16] Despite the war, some senior football was played the following season.[17]

Burrawang-Robertson and two Bargo teams participated in a 1944 competition with premiers Bowral and runners-up Mittagong.[18] Campbelltown, Moss Vale, Picton and Thirlmere resumed playing the next year.[19]


1946–68: Highland Fling

'Group 6', as it is now known, officially recommenced in 1946 with Campbelltown Kangaroos claiming the inaugural premiership undefeated. Eleven first grade teams were divided into north and south divisions, with the winners of each divisions meeting in a grand-final.

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, the John Cole inspired Mittagong Lions rolled the black 'n whites, denying Picton a certain back-to-back Clayton Cup.

1969–83: 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 and 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. It would take thirty 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 Black Caviar 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 Group 6 1st Grade title with a 29–14 victory over Camden Rams at Kirkham Park. Coached by Frank Marino and captained by ex- West Magpie Brian Brown, 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.

Moss Vale Dragons secured the 2010 1st Grade premiership with a nail-biting 6–2 defeat of defending premiers Picton Magpies at Campbelltown Stadium. Captain- coached by Kiwi import Willie McDonald, the red n whites broke a 20-year 1st Grade premiership drought.

2011: CRL Group 6: The Combined Competition trial ends In a major boilover, Oakdale Workers would claim their second first grade title with a heart-stopping 24-16 victory over the heavily fancied East Campbelltown Eagles team.

2012

Picton Magpies RLFC stamped themselves as the Club of the contemporary era with a heart stopping 24-22 win over Mittagong Lions RLFC at Kirkham Park, Camden.

The Black n' whites would repeat the dose in 2014 on home soil at Victoria Park, with a 36-4 drubbing of the Lions, consigning the green and golds to perhaps another twenty years without a first grade title.

== 1st Grade premierships Picton Magpies RLFC are Group 6's most successful ever club with twelve premiership victories.

Tip: To view original newspaper articles on matches up to 1954, hover over the blue number in the Reports column and then click on the article name. That will open the article in Trove.

First Grade Premiers
Year Assoc. Premiers Score Runners-Up Coach Reports Notes
1914 Berrima Robertson 5-0 Moss Vale SBDP[20]
1919 Berrima Robertson 8-3 Bowral Blues TSM[21]
1920 Berrima Moss Vale 18-0 Robertson TSM[22]
1921 Berrima Robertson 11-7 Moss Vale TSM[23] SBDP[24]
1922 Berrima Robertson 13-7 Moss Vale TSM[25] SBDP[26]
1923 Berrima Robertson 5-0 Moss Vale TSM[27] SBDP[28]
1924 Berrima Robertson 3-0 Bargo TSM[29]
1925 Berrima Moss Vale 10-8 Bargo TSM[30] SBDP[31]
1926 Berrima Bowral Blues 5-3 Robertson TSM[32]
1927 Berrima Moss Vale 3-2 Bowral Blues TSM[33]
1928 Berrima Moss Vale Warleigh Cup knockout in lieu of finals SBDP[34]
1929 Berrima Moss Vale Warleigh Cup knockout in lieu of finals TSM[35]
1930 Berrima Moss Vale Warleigh Cup knockout in lieu of finals SBDP[36]
1931 Berrima No Premiership. Warleigh Cup knockout. Various Challenge Cups.
1932 Group 6 No Premiership. Various Challenge Cups.
1933 Group 6 No Premiership. Various Challenge Cups.
1934 Group 6 No Premiership. Various Challenge Cups.
1935 Group 6 Picton Magpies 27-6 Bowral Blues TSM[37] North & South Divisions
1936 None No Premiership. Various Challenge Cups.
1937 Berrima Mittagong 0-23 Bowral Blues TSM[38] ŦSM[39] Awarded Final on Protest
1938 Berrima Mittagong and or Burrawang-Robertson premiers. SBDP[40] Was a final played?
1939 Berrima No Premiership. Various Challenge Cups.
1940 Berrima No Premiership. Various Challenge Cups.
1944 Berrima Bowral Blues 13-5 Mittagong TSM[41] Challenge GF
1945 Berrima Mittagong 7-2 Col Stone TSM[42]
1946 Group 6 Campbelltown Kangaroos 20-9 Bowral Blues Jim Whitty TSM[43] North & South Divisions
1947 Group 6 Bowral Blues 13-10 Campbelltown Kangaroos Noel Mulligan (CC) SBDP[44] TSM[45] North & South Divisions
1948 Group 6 Camden Rams 15-15 Bowral Blues Herb Narvo TSM[46] A & B Divisions in 1st Grade
1948 Group 6 Camden Rams 14-5 Bowral Blues TSM[47] Replay
1949 Group 6 Campbelltown Kangaroos 18-10 Bowral Blues Laurie Doran TSM[48]
1950 Group 6 Bowral Blues 22-5      Wingecarribee Jack Seymour (CC) CN[49] PP[50]
1951 Group 6 Camden Rams 13-8 Moss Vale Dragons Keith Clarke CN[51]
1952 Group 6 Bowral Blues 12-5 Picton Magpies Tony Mulquinney TSM[52]
1953 Group 6 Moss Vale Dragons 9-7 Picton Magpies Kevin Ryan TSM[53] PP[54]
1954 Group 6 Bowral Blues 14-8 Camden Rams Jack McClean (CC) TSM[55] CN[56]
1955 Group 6 Moss Vale Dragons 13-12 Bowral Blues Les Foodey
1956 Group 6 Bowral Blues 10-0 Moss Vale Dragons Ray Lees
1957 Group 6 Bowral Blues 42-0 Camden Rams Jim "Doc" McClean
1958 Group 6 Bowral Blues 10-7 Mittagong Lions Max Apps
1959 Group 6 Mittagong Lions 6-5 Moss Vale Dragons Max Apps
1960 Group 6 Bowral Blues 11-4 Moss Vale Dragons Jim "Doc" McClean (CC)
1961 Group 6 Bowral Blues 24-3 Robertson-Burrawong Jim "Doc" McClean (CC)
1962 Group 6 Mittagong Lions 12-7 Campbelltown Kangaroos Gordon 'Nipper' Goldsmith (CC)
1963 Group 6 Mittagong Lions 18-11 Campbelltown Kangaroos Gordon 'Nipper' Goldsmith (CC)
1964 Group 6 Mittagong Lions 8-2 Bowral Blues Gordon 'Nipper' Goldsmith (CC)
1965 Group 6 Bowral Blues 14-3 Campbelltown Kangaroos Allan Disher (CC)
1966 Group 6 Picton Magpies 7-0 Mittagong Lions Billy Peel (CC) CRL Clayton Cup Winners
1967 Group 6 Mittagong Lions 8-0 Picton Magpies John Cole (CC)
1968 Group 6 Bowral Blues 4-2 Mittagong Lions Terry Johnson (CC)
1969 Group 6 Campbelltown City Kangaroos 22-3 Bowral Blues Ray Corkery (CC)
1970 Group 6 Campbelltown City Kangaroos 6-4 Oakdale Workers Ray Corkery (CC)
1971 Group 6 Campbelltown City Kangaroos 15-13      Campbelltown RSL Warriors Ray Corkery (CC)
1972 Group 6      Campbelltown RSL Warriors 21-12 Camden Rams Doug Page (CC)
1973 Group 6 Campbelltown City Kangaroos 21-3 Campbelltown Collegians Johnny Greaves (CC)
1974 Group 6 Campbelltown City Kangaroos 23-9 Ingleburn Bulldogs Johnny Greaves (CC)
1975 Group 6 Campbelltown City Kangaroos 12-8 Ingleburn Bulldogs Johnny Greaves (CC)
1976 Group 6 The Oaks Tigers 16-10 Camden Rams Les Williams (CC)
1977 Group 6 The Oaks Tigers 22-3 Camden Rams Les Williams (CC)
1978 Group 6 Camden Rams 5-2      Campbelltown RSL Warriors Rod Jackson (CC)
1979 Group 6      Campbelltown RSL Warriors 9-0 Camden Rams Tony Herring (CC)
1980 Group 6 Campbelltown City Kangaroos 25-9 Picton Magpies Paul Murray (CC)
1981 Group 6 Picton Magpies 15-11 Campbelltown City Kangaroos Barry McGlynn
1982 Group 6 Moss Vale Dragons 28-13 Campbelltown City Kangaroos Brian Milthorpe (CC)
1983 Group 6 Campbelltown City Kangaroos 24-6 The Oaks Tigers Ray Corkery Campbelltown clubs leave Group 6
1984 Group 6 Moss Vale Dragons 36-12 Camden Rams Brian Milthorpe (CC)
1985 Group 6 Picton Magpies 16-8 Moss Vale Dragons Rod Henniker (CC)
1986 Group 6 Picton Magpies 8-7 Camden Rams Robert Stone (CC)
1987 Group 6 Picton Magpies 26-16 Mittagong Lions Robert Stone (CC)
1988 Group 6 Mittagong Lions 18-17 Bowral Blues Grahame Andrews
1989 Group 6      Warragamba Wombats 22-12 Oakdale Workers Mark O'Reilly
1990 Group 6 Moss Vale Dragons 20-12 Mittagong Lions Ian Clarke (CC)
1991 Group 6 Mittagong Lions 10-6 Oakdale Workers Grahame Andrews CRL Clayton Cup Winners
1992 Group 6 The Oaks Tigers 14-4 Picton Magpies Wayne Couley SHN[57]
1993 Group 6 Oakdale Workers 29-14 Camden Rams Frank Marino
1994 Group 6 Camden Rams 26-4      Appin Warriors David Greene (CC)
1995 Group 6 Mittagong Lions 12-11 Narellan Jets Grahame Andrews
1996 Group 6 Narellan Jets 40-8 Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters Frank Marino HDT[58]
1997 Group 6 Camden Rams 27-21 Picton Magpies Peter Gentle (CC) *Extra time. Greatest GF?
1998 Group 6 Camden Rams 23-16 The Oaks Tigers Peter Gentle (CC) SHN[59]
1999 Group 6 Picton Magpies 20-0 The Oaks Tigers Simon Cox (CC)
2000 Group 6 Camden Rams 26-16 Picton Magpies Andrew Willis (CC) SHN[60]
2001 Group 6 Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters 19-16 Oakdale Workers Noel Wood
2002 Group 6 Camden Rams 29-10 The Oaks Tigers Mitch Newton (CC)
2003 Group 6 Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters 32-16 Camden Rams Noel Wood
2004 Group 6 Narellan Jets 24-16 Camden Rams Mick Trimarchi
2005 Group 6 Picton Magpies 28-22 Camden Rams Gary Dowse (CC)
2006 Group 6 Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters 6-0 Picton Magpies Noel Wood
2007 Group 6      Goulburn 36-26 Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters Mick Mantelli
2008 Group 6 Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters 19-16 Oakdale Workers Jamie Horner
2009 Group 6 Picton Magpies 26-12 Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters Gary Dowse (CC) Campbelltown City returned
2010 Group 6 Moss Vale Dragons 6-2 Picton Magpies Willie McDonald (CC)
2011 Group 6 Oakdale Workers 24-16 East Campbelltown Eagles Brendon Reeves
2012 Group 6 Campbelltown Eagles 44-10 Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters Richard Barnes CRL Clayton Cup Winners
2013 Group 6 Picton Magpies 24-22 Mittagong Lions Gary Dowse; Bryce Poisel (CC)
2014 Group 6 Picton Magpies 36-4 Mittagong Lions Bryce Poisel (CC); Gary Dowse SWV[61]
2015 Group 6 Picton Magpies 46-0 Camden Rams Bryce Poisel (CC); Gary Dowse DT[62] SWV[63]
2016 Group 6 Camden Rams 14-12 Picton Magpies Scott Borg (CC) SSG[64] SWV[65]
2017 Group 6 Campbelltown City Kangaroos 30-8 Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters Liam Fulton McA[66] News Ltd[67]
2018 Group 6 Picton Magpies 22-10 The Oaks Tigers Michael Lett (CC); Gary Dowse

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 famous Hindmarsh family.
  • 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 outage 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, Mittagong in 1991 and Campbelltown Eagles in 2012 are the only Group 6 teams to have won the Clayton Cup, awarded for being Country Rugby League's team of the year. All three teams won their Premierships with undefeated records.
  • Picton were on track for a consecutive undefeated season and Clayton Cup in 1967 until defeated 8-nil 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 Moss Vale.
  • 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 team to this feat was Picton 2016, defeated 14-12 by Camden Rams in the Grand Final. Campbelltown City in 1972 & 1976 and Picton in 1988 were bundled out in the preliminary final of those respective seasons gunning for four straight titles.
  • Campbelltown City in 1975 and Camden Rams in 2016 are the only clubs to win all 3 Grades in the same year- U/18s, Reserve Grade & First Grade however, Camden also won the Ladies' LeagueTag title in 2016 making them the only club to win all 4 premier premierships in one year.
  • Particularly sweet for City supporters and officials in 1975 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 club to have gone from last to first in one season. City defeated Picton in the GF of that year 25–9.
  • Ex- Australian Kangaroos and ex- Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens 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.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Football". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 2 Sep 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  2. ↑ "Football Competition". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 15 Jul 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 24 Aug 2017.
  3. ↑ "Football". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 7 Jun 1923. p. 7. Retrieved 24 Aug 2017.
  4. ↑ "B.D. Rugby League". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 8 Apr 1925. p. 2. Retrieved 24 Aug 2017.
  5. ↑ "Competition Points". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 1 Sep 1928. p. 2. Retrieved 24 Aug 2017.
  6. ↑ "Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 19 May 1931. p. 2. Retrieved 24 Aug 2017.
  7. ↑ "Competition Table". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 1 Aug 1929. p. 4. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  8. ↑ "Wollondilly District". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 8 Aug 1929. p. 4. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  9. ↑ "Picton Citizens Football Challenge Cup". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 3 Jul 1929. p. 4. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  10. ↑ "Rugby League Football". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 14 May 1931. p. 5. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  11. ↑ "Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 31 May 1935. p. 2. Retrieved 24 Aug 2017.
  12. ↑ "Football Control". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 1 Jul 1936. p. 2. Retrieved 24 Aug 2017.
  13. ↑ "Protest Upheld". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 30 Jul 1937. p. 3. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  14. ↑ "Local and General". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 13 Aug 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  15. ↑ "Football Premiers". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 21 Jul 1937. p. 2. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  16. ↑ "Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 19 May 1939. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  17. ↑ "Dawson Gold Cup". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 11 Jun 1940. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  18. ↑ "Bowral Wins Football Final". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 22 Sep 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  19. ↑ "R.L. Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 27 Apr 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 25 Aug 2017.
  20. ↑ "Football". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 16 Sep 1914. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  21. ↑ "The Football Final". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 2 Sep 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  22. ↑ "The Football Final". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 7 Sep 1920. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  23. ↑ "Robertson the Premiers". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 20 Sep 1921. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  24. ↑ "Football". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: State Library of NSW - Microfilm RAV. 21 Sep 1921. p. 2.
  25. ↑ "Football Final - Robertson Again Premiers". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 12 Sep 1922. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  26. ↑ "Football Final". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 13 Sep 1922. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  27. ↑ "Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 4 Sep 1923. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  28. ↑ "Robertson v Moss Vale". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 5 Sep 1923. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  29. ↑ "Robertson v Bargo". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 5 Aug 1924. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  30. ↑ "Local Items". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 18 Aug 1925. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  31. ↑ "Football". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 19 Aug 1925. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  32. ↑ "District Competition". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 17 Aug 1926. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  33. ↑ "Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 13 Sep 1927. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  34. ↑ "League Football". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 19 Sep 1928. p. 4. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  35. ↑ "Berrima District Competition". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 20 Aug 1929. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  36. ↑ "Competition Table". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 23 Aug 1930. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  37. ↑ "No Pep in Bowral's Final Bid". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 20 Aug 1935. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  38. ↑ "Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 13 Jul 1937. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  39. ↑ "Protest Upheld". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 30 Jul 1937. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  40. ↑ "Local and General". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 13 Aug 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 29 Aug 2017.
  41. ↑ "Bowral Wins Football Final". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 22 Sep 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  42. ↑ "Mittagong Wins League Final". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 24 Aug 1945. p. 4. Retrieved 29 Aug 2017.
  43. ↑ "Bowral Defeated in Great Final". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 9 Aug 1946. p. 4. Retrieved 29 Aug 2017.
  44. ↑ "Rugby League Football Final Won By Bowral". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 16 Aug 1947. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  45. ↑ "A Popular Coach". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 15 Aug 1947. p. 5. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  46. ↑ "Fifteen All Draw". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 6 Aug 1948. p. 7. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  47. ↑ "Bowral Defeated In Grand Final". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 13 Aug 1948. p. 4. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  48. ↑ "Grand Final to Campbelltown". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 30 Sep 1949. p. 2. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  49. ↑ "Football". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 21 Sep 1950. p. 10. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  50. ↑ "Football - Bowral Wins Premiership". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 21 Sep 1950. p. 7. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  51. ↑ "Camden Wins Football Premiership". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 30 Aug 1951. p. 8. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  52. ↑ "Bowral Wins Grand Final". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 19 Sep 1952. p. 7. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  53. ↑ "Moss Vale Wins". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 28 Aug 1953. p. 9. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  54. ↑ "Moss Vale Gain Premiership in Grand Final". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 26 Aug 1953. p. 2. Retrieved 29 Aug 2017.
  55. ↑ "Rugby League". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 10 Sep 1954. p. 9. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  56. ↑ "Bowral Wins Football Blazers". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 9 Sep 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 27 Aug 2017.
  57. ↑ "Drought ends for Tigers". Southern Highlands News. State Library of NSW - Microfilm RAV. 16 Sep 1992. p. 87.
  58. ↑ "Jets win Group 6 pennant". District Times. District Times: State Library of NSW - Microfilm RAV. 11 Sep 1996. p. 48.
  59. ↑ "Back to back - Camden snare second straight premiership". Southern Highlands News. State Library of NSW - Microfilm RAV. 23 Sep 1998. p. 67.
  60. ↑ "Rams overthow Magpies". Southern Highlands News. State Library of NSW - Microfilm RAV. 6 Sep 2000. p. 51.
  61. ↑ "Picton Magpies 2016 Group 6 Champions". www.southwestvoice.com.au. Retrieved 23 Aug 2017.
  62. ↑ "Picton Magpies Kings of Group 6". Daily Telegraph. Sydney: News Limited. 15 Sep 2015. Retrieved 23 Aug 2017.
  63. ↑ "Complete shut out as Picton win third Premiership in a row". www.southwestvoice.com.au. Retrieved 30 Aug 2017.
  64. ↑ "2016 Group 6 Grand Final". www.sportstg.com. Retrieved 23 Aug 2017.
  65. ↑ "Ccamden Rams win Premiership". www.southwestvoice.com.au. Retrieved 30 Aug 2017.
  66. ↑ "2017 Group 6 Grand Final". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 27 Dec 2017.
  67. ↑ "Former Wests Tigers forward Liam Fulton coaches Campelltown City to historic Group 6 title". www.news.com.au. Retrieved 27 Dec 2017.
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