Group 10 Rugby League

Group 10 is a rugby league competition in the Central West area of New South Wales, under the auspices of the New South Wales Rugby League. It had been under the control of Country Rugby League but that changed after the NSWRL agreed to a new constitution and the CRL voted to wind up its affairs immediately. The decisions was made on 19 October 2019 and the merger means that the aim of a unified administration of the sport in NSW was achieved over a year ahead of time.[1]

Group 10 Rugby League
Current season or competition:
2020 Group 10 Rugby League season
SportRugby league
Number of teams9
Country Australia
Premiers Bathurst Panthers (2019)
Most titles Orange CYMS (12 titles)
WebsiteGroup 10 Homepage

Games in the competition are usually played on Sundays with some Saturday night matches. There are currently eight clubs based in the competition playing across the four senior grades, including women's league tag and a total of 15 clubs fielding sides in several junior grades.[2]

Origin and formation

At the end of the 1946 representative campaign, it was Bathurst that was crowned Western Challenge Cup premiers after finishing ahead of Lithgow, Orange and Oberon in the four-team group. The team's 7–0 win against Oberon in the final match of the round-robin competition in August at the Bathurst Sportsground saw the team finish the campaign undefeated.

Group 10 would meet two months later but Group 10 secretary Harley Brazil put forward a radical proposal, which alter the future of rugby league in the Central West region. Brazil put forward a "scheme" for an inter-town competition, with a goal to kick off in 1947. Brazil's idea was to see the leading eight teams in the Group (Bathurst Railway, Bathurst Waratahs, Lithgow Small Arms Factory, Lithgow Western Suburbs, Oberon, Orange Our Boys, Orange Waratahs and Portland) participate in the competition.[3]

When the districts met in February, not everyone accepted Brazil's proposal, which become referred to as the 'Brazil plan' by the local press. Representatives from Bathurst, Orange, Lithgow, Mudgee, Oberon, Blayney and Portland would debate over three proposals for several hours. The three proposals mentioned in the Lithgow Mercury on 26 February 1947 included:

  • The 'Brazil plan': The leading clubs from the major districts competing in an inter-town club competition.
  • The 'Bathurst proposal': An inter-district competition with games played every two weeks, to permit the local competitions to be played on alternative weeks. Winners of the inter-district competition would receive a prize of £100 and the Western Challenge Cup.
  • The 'Orange proposal': Rugby league would conduct the same way it was in the 1946 season, with the Western Challenge Cup to be played for at least every three weeks.

Ultimately, it was the 'Brazil plan' that was adopted by 10 votes to eight but it was quickly followed by opposition from Orange and Bathurst.[4]

Issues continued and by Group 10's annual general meeting on 16 March, tensions reached boiling point between Orange and Bathurst and the other leagues. According to the Lithgow Mercury, Bathurst and Orange were granted permission to conduct their own competitions, independent of the new inter-town club tournament.[5]

Brazil's plan for a new inter-town club competition was thrown into turmoil, with only four teams nominating, well below the secretary's eight-team dream. At the Group's meeting on 7 April, only Lithgow Small Arms Factory, Lithgow Western Suburbs, Oberon Tigers and Portland Colts had put their hands up for the new competition.

The first ever games in Group 10 had been locked in for Sunday, 13 April. Wests would play Oberon in Lithgow, while Portland would host Factory. Both games would kick-off at 3.15pm, with curtain-raisers the local Lithgow first grade competition games. Match reports in the Lithgow Mercury indicate Wests overcame the Tigers 17–3.[6] C. Hallam scored the first try for Wests, which may have been the first ever try scored in the competition. In the other match, Portland downed Factory 14–7. Factory won the inaugural premiership by defeating Portland 17–7 in the grand final.[7][8]

Overview

As of the 2020 season, Group 10 consists of eight teams from six towns across the Central West. There are four grades: Premier League, First Division, Under 18s and Women's League Tag. Nine teams had previously competed in the Premier League competition from 2013–2019, however, Oberon Tigers withdrew from the competition ahead of the 2020 season, bringing the total clubs down to eight.[9] Games are usually held on Sundays, however, there are occasional Saturday games and Friday night games.

The current season format consists of fourteen rounds, with each team playing each other twice. The top five teams then play-off to the McIntyre final five system, culminating in the grand final which is held at the home ground of the major semi-final winner.

Former NRL players to play in Group 10 in recent times include Luke Branighan (Oberon and Bathurst St Patrick's) and Josh Starling (Oberon and Bathurst Panthers), with the latter signing on for the Panthers ahead of the 2020 season. Former Manly forward George Rose played one season for Oberon in 2016.[10] NSW legend Mark O'Meley played a one-off game for St Pat's in 2016.[11] Mick Sullivan has been one of the most influential ex-NRL players in recent times, leading Orange CYMS to five premierships during his nine-season stint between 2010–2018, a record haul for a captain-coach in the competition's history.[12]

Current clubs and location
Locations of the current Group 10 clubs.
Club Home Ground Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
Bathurst Panthers Carrington Park 4 3 2006, 2007, 2018, 2019 2000, 2004, 2005
Bathurst St Patrick's Jack Arrow Sporting Complex 6 2 1968, 1973, 1989, 2001, 2008, 2014 1953, 1982
Blayney Bears King George Oval 5 3 1977, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1998 1986, 1994, 1999
Cowra Magpies Sid Kallas Oval 4 11 1978, 1983, 1992, 1995 1955, 1970, 1971, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1989, 1993, 1996, 2014, 2018
Lithgow Workmen's Club Tony Luchetti Showground 4 18 1960, 1991, 2005, 2012 1957, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1972, 1976, 1978, 1988, 1990, 1998, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015
Mudgee Dragons Glen Willow 6 8 1986, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2016 1984, 1985, 1987, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2019
Orange CYMS Wade Park 12 6 1952, 1953, 1954, 1958, 1959, 1987, 1988, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 1950, 1951, 1956, 2002, 2012, 2016
Orange Hawks Wade Park 3 6 1955, 1999, 2003 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1997, 2013

Previous Clubs
Club Winners Runners-up Years won Years runners-up Status Last season
Bathurst Charlestons 1 4 1979 1948, 1952, 1966, 1967 Amalgamated with Bathurst Leagues Club to form Bathurst Penguins in 1990. 1989
Bathurst Penguins 2 3 1994, 1997 1991, 1992, 1995 Amalgamated with Panthers Leagues Club to form Bathurst Panthers in 2000. 1999
Bathurst Railway 9 0 1948, 1949, 1950, 1957, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1981 Disbanded 1992
Bathurst Waratahs 0 0 Disbanded 1952
Glen Davis 0 0 Disbanded 1950
Kandos Waratahs 0 0 Mid West Cup 1975
Katoomba Devils 0 0 Penrith District Rugby League 1962
Lithgow East Diggers 1 0 1951 Disbanded 1954
Lithgow Shamrocks 3 2 1982, 1984, 1985 1981, 1983 Disbanded 1994
Lithgow Small Arms Factory 2 2 1947, 1956 1949, 1954 Disbanded 1965
Lithgow St Patrick's 0 0 Disbanded 1955
Lithgow Western Suburbs 0 0 Disbanded 1951
Millthorpe 0 0 Disbanded 1948
Oberon Tigers 11 4 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1975 1958, 1960, 1968, 2017 Mid West Cup 2019
Orange Aces 0 0 Disbanded 1953
Orange Our Boys 0 0 Disbanded 1954
Orange Rovers 0 0 Disbanded 1950
Orange Waratahs 0 0 Disbanded 1949
Portland Colts 0 1 1947 Mid West Cup 1974
Wallerawang Warriors 0 0 Disbanded 1961

Past premiers
  • Between 1948 and 1951, Group 10 was split into a Western Zone and an Eastern Zone, with the top teams from each zone crossing over to contest a finals series.
Season Champion Score Runners-Up Grand final venue Minor premiers Wooden Spoon Teams
1947
 Lithgow Small Arms Factory
17–7
 Portland Colts Lithgow Showground, Lithgow Portland Colts Oberon Tigers
4
1948
 Bathurst Railway[1]
8–6
 Bathurst Charlestons Lithgow Showground, Lithgow Bathurst Railway (West)
Portland Colts (East)		 Millthorpe (West)
Glen Davis (East)
9 (West)
8 (East)
1949
 Bathurst Railway[1]
6–4
 Lithgow Small Arms Factory Lithgow Showground, Lithgow Bathurst Railway (West)
Lithgow Small Arms Factory (East)		 Bathurst Waratahs (West)
Kandos Waratahs (East)
7 (West)
7 (East)
1950
 Bathurst Railway[2]
9–8
 Orange CYMS Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Bathurst Charlestons (West)
Lithgow East Diggers (East)		 Orange Rovers (West)
Glen Davis (East)
8 (West)[4]
8 (East)[5]
1951
 Lithgow East Diggers
17–4
 Orange CYMS Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Bathurst Railway (West)
Lithgow East Diggers (East)		 Blayney Bears (West)
Lithgow Western Suburbs (East)
6 (West)
6 (East)[6]
1952
 Orange CYMS
14–2
 Bathurst Charlestons Wade Park, Orange Orange CYMS Bathurst St Patrick's
9[7]
1953
 Orange CYMS
9–8
 Bathurst St Patrick's Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Orange CYMS Orange Aces
9[8]
1954
 Orange CYMS[2]
7–2
 Lithgow Small Arms Factory Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Orange CYMS Oberon Tigers
9
1955
 Orange Emmco
13–10
 Cowra Magpies Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Cowra Magpies
Orange CYMS
Orange Emmco[3]		 Bathurst Charlestons
10
1956
 Lithgow Small Arms Factory
10–4
 Orange CYMS Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Lithgow Small Arms Factory
1957
 Bathurst Railway
27–14
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Lithgow Showground, Lithgow Lithgow Workmen's Club Wallerawang Warriors
9[9]
1958
 Orange CYMS
17–6
 Oberon Tigers Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Orange CYMS Bathurst Charlestons
10
1959
 Orange CYMS
5–4
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst
1960
 Lithgow Workmen's Club
12–11
 Oberon Tigers Lithgow Workmen's Club
1961
 Oberon Tigers
22–7
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Bathurst Railway Wallerawang Warriors
1962
 Oberon Tigers
14–7
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Wade Park, Orange Oberon Tigers Katoomba Devils
10[10]
1963
 Oberon Tigers
23–2
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Oberon Tigers Lithgow Small Arms Factory
9
1964
 Oberon Tigers[2]
30–2
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Oberon Tigers Lithgow Small Arms Factory
9
1965
 Oberon Tigers
29–5
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Wade Park, Orange Bathurst St Patrick's Lithgow Small Arms Factory
9
1966
 Oberon Tigers
23–10
 Bathurst Charlestons Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Oberon Tigers Lithgow Shamrocks
9
1967
 Oberon Tigers
23–2
 Bathurst Charlestons Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Oberon Tigers Lithgow Shamrocks
9
1968
 Bathurst St Patrick's
9–8
 Oberon Tigers Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Orange Ex-Services Cowra Magpies
10
1969
 Oberon Tigers
7–3
 Orange Ex-Services Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Orange Ex-Services Portland Colts
10
1970
 Oberon Tigers
7–6
 Cowra Magpies Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Cowra Magpies Bathurst Charlestons
10
1971
 Oberon Tigers
12–5
 Cowra Magpies Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Cowra Magpies Bathurst Charlestons
10
1972
 Bathurst Railway
14–5
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Lithgow Showground, Lithgow Orange Ex-Services Bathurst Charlestons
10
1973
 Bathurst St Patrick's
20–14
 Orange Ex-Services Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Bathurst St Patrick's Lithgow Shamrocks
10
1974
 Bathurst Railway
12–11
 Orange Ex-Services Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Orange Ex-Services Portland Colts
11
1975
 Oberon Tigers
17–4
 Orange Ex-Services Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Oberon Tigers Kandos Waratahs
11
1976
 Bathurst Railway
21–14
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Oberon Tigers Orange CYMS
10
1977
 Blayney Bears
7–6
 Cowra Magpies West Cowra Oval, Cowra Lithgow Workmen's Club Orange CYMS
10
1978
 Cowra Magpies
12–9
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Lithgow Showground, Lithgow Mudgee Dragons Orange Ex-Services
11
1979
 Bathurst Charlestons
11–9
 Cowra Magpies Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Mudgee Dragons Lithgow Shamrocks
11
1980
 Bathurst Railway
14–6
 Cowra Magpies Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Cowra Magpies Bathurst St Patrick's
11
1981
 Bathurst Railway
19–16
 Lithgow Shamrocks Bathurst Sports Ground, Bathurst Lithgow Shamrocks Mudgee Dragons
11
1982
 Lithgow Shamrocks
16–15
 Bathurst St Patrick's Lithgow Showground, Lithgow Lithgow Shamrocks Blayney Bears
11
1983
 Cowra Magpies
31–8
 Lithgow Shamrocks West Cowra Oval, Cowra Lithgow Shamrocks Bathurst Charlestons
11
1984
 Lithgow Shamrocks
19–12
 Mudgee Dragons Lithgow Showground, Lithgow Lithgow Shamrocks Bathurst Charlestons
11
1985
 Lithgow Shamrocks
47–8
 Mudgee Dragons Lithgow Showground, Lithgow Mudgee Dragons Cowra Magpies
11
1986
 Mudgee Dragons
16–14
 Blayney Bears Jubilee Oval, Mudgee Mudgee Dragons Oberon Tigers
11
1987
 Orange CYMS
18–9
 Mudgee Dragons Wade Park, Orange Mudgee Dragons Oberon Tigers
11
1988
 Orange CYMS
20–19
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Wade Park, Orange Orange CYMS Bathurst Charlestons
11
1989
 Bathurst St Patrick's
31–14
 Cowra Magpies Jack Arrow Oval, Bathurst Bathurst St Patrick's Bathurst Charlestons
11
1990
 Blayney Bears
29–10
 Lithgow Workmen's Club King George Oval, Blayney Blayney Bears Oberon Tigers
11
1991
 Lithgow Workmen's Club
22–13
(replay)
 Bathurst Penguins Wade Park, Orange Lithgow Workmen's Club Bathurst Railway
11
1992
 Cowra Magpies
16–6
 Bathurst Penguins West Cowra Oval, Cowra Cowra Magpies Lithgow Shamrocks
11
1993
 Blayney Bears
54–28
 Cowra Magpies King George Oval, Blayney Bathurst Penguins Orange United
10
1994
 Bathurst Penguins
16–12
(extra-time)
 Blayney Bears King George Oval, Blayney Blayney Bears Orange United
10
1995
 Cowra Magpies
19–16
 Bathurst Penguins Carrington Park, Bathurst Bathurst Penguins Bathurst St Patrick's
8
1996
 Blayney Bears
34–23
 Cowra Magpies West Cowra Oval, Cowra Cowra Magpies Oberon Tigers
9
1997
 Bathurst Penguins
12–9
(extra-time)
 Orange Hawks Wade Park, Orange Orange Hawks Orange CYMS
8
1998
Blayney Bears
29–18
 Lithgow Workmen's Club King George Oval, Blayney Orange Hawks Orange CYMS
8
1999
 Orange Hawks
30–16
 Blayney Bears King George Oval, Blayney Orange Hawks Lithgow Workmen's Club
8
2000
 Mudgee Dragons
34–12
 Bathurst Panthers Carrington Park, Bathurst Bathurst Panthers Orange Hawks
8
2001
 Bathurst St Patrick's
28–6
 Mudgee Dragons Carrington Park, Bathurst Mudgee Dragons Cowra Magpies
7
2002
 Mudgee Dragons
28–24
 Orange CYMS Jubilee Oval, Mudgee Mudgee Dragons Orange Hawks
7
2003
 Orange Hawks
34–30
 Mudgee Dragons Jubilee Oval, Mudgee Mudgee Dragons Cowra Magpies
7
2004
 Mudgee Dragons
17–10
 Bathurst Panthers Carrington Park, Bathurst Bathurst Panthers Cowra Magpies
6
2005
 Lithgow Workmen's Club
19–4
 Bathurst Panthers Tony Luchetti Showground, Lithgow Lithgow Workmen's Club Oberon Tigers
8
2006
 Bathurst Panthers
10–4
(extra-time)
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Tony Luchetti Showground, Lithgow Lithgow Workmen's Club Orange Hawks
8
2007
 Bathurst Panthers
24–4
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Carrington Park, Bathurst Bathurst Panthers Oberon Tigers
8
2008
 Bathurst St Patrick's
19–12
 Mudgee Dragons Carrington Park, Bathurst Bathurst St Patrick's Cowra Magpies
8
2009
 Mudgee Dragons
32–29
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Jubilee Oval, Mudgee Mudgee Dragons Orange Hawks
7
2010
 Orange CYMS
23–16
 Mudgee Dragons Wade Park, Orange Orange CYMS Bathurst Panthers
7
2011
 Orange CYMS
30–12
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Endeavour Oval, Orange Lithgow Workmen's Club Bathurst St Patrick's
7[11]
2012
 Lithgow Workmen's Club
40–14
 Orange CYMS Tony Luchetti Showground, Lithgow Lithgow Workmen's Club Bathurst Panthers
8
2013
 Orange CYMS
22–14
 Orange Hawks Wade Park, Orange Orange Hawks Blayney Bears
9
2014
 Bathurst St Patrick's
34–12
 Cowra Magpies Sid Kallas Oval, Cowra Bathurst St Patrick's Blayney Bears
9
2015
 Orange CYMS
14–10
 Lithgow Workmen's Club Wade Park, Orange Orange CYMS Oberon Tigers
9
2016
 Mudgee Dragons
14–10
 Orange CYMS Wade Park, Orange Orange CYMS Lithgow Workmen's Club
9
2017
 Orange CYMS
23–22
 Oberon Tigers Wade Park, Orange Orange CYMS Blayney Bears
9
2018[13]
 Bathurst Panthers
12–10
 Cowra Magpies Sid Kallas Oval, Cowra Cowra Magpies Blayney Bears
9
2019
 Bathurst Panthers
9–8
(extra-time)
 Mudgee Dragons Carrington Park, Bathurst Orange Hawks Blayney Bears
9
2020
8
  • 1991 finished in a 16-all draw with no points scored in extra-time. Replay was required.

Notes
  1. a Completed the season undefeated.
  2. a Team won the Clayton Cup.
  3. a Cowra Magpies, Orange Emmco and Orange CYMS finished the season level on 28 points. Under the rules of the time, a play-off would be required if two teams were level, but there was no play-off for three teams tied.
  4. a Orange Waratahs withdrew during the 1950 season.
  5. a Orange Rovers withdrew during the 1950 season.
  6. a Oberon Tigers withdrew during the 1951 season.
  7. a Bathurst Waratahs withdrew during the 1952 season.
  8. a Orange Aces withdrew during the 1953 season.
  9. a Wallerawang Warriors withdrew during the 1957 season.
  10. a Katoomba Devils withdrew during the 1962 season.
  11. a Orange Hawks removed from competition in July due to brawl in 2011 season.[14]

See also
  • Rugby League Competitions in Australia

References
  1. "Country Rugby League merge with NSW Rugby League is official". Manning River Times. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  2. Group 10 Clubs http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-2375-0-67445-0&a=CLUBS
  3. "GROUP 10". National Advocate. New South Wales, Australia. 14 October 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 26 May 2020 – via Trove.
  4. "RUGBY LEAGUE". Lithgow Mercury. New South Wales, Australia. 24 February 1947. p. 3 (CITY EDITION). Retrieved 26 May 2020 – via Trove.
  5. "RUGBY LEAGUE". Lithgow Mercury. New South Wales, Australia. 19 March 1947. p. 4. Retrieved 26 May 2020 – via Trove.
  6. "Portland And Wests In Group Competition Wins". Lithgow Mercury. New South Wales, Australia. 14 April 1947. p. 2. Retrieved 26 May 2020 – via Trove.
  7. "RUGBY LEAGUE". Lithgow Mercury. New South Wales, Australia. 8 September 1947. p. 2. Retrieved 26 May 2020 – via Trove.
  8. "RUGBY LEAGUE". Lithgow Mercury. New South Wales, Australia. 11 September 1947. p. 6. Retrieved 26 May 2020 – via Trove.
  9. Lack of numbers forces Oberon out of Group 10 premier league and weighing up a switch to Mid West New Era Cup in Oberon Review, 4 November 2019
  10. GOOD SIGN: Oberon Tigers sign George Rose in Oberon Review, 17 March 2016
  11. NSW legend Mark O'Meley to turn out for Bathurst St Pat's in Central Western Daily, 30 June 2016
  12. Mick Sullivan, the greatest: Five-time premiership winner to call time on decorated stint with Orange CYMS in Central Western Daily, 13 April 2018
  13. "Panthers, Willie Wright stun Magpies in Group 10 grand final thriller | Photos, video" in Western Advocate, September 9, 2018
  14. Orange Hawks banned, CYMS fined over brawl in Central Western Daily, August 1, 2011

Vought Engineering Lithgow Storm Under 11s - 2008 Champions

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