The Youth League team were on representative duties in Group 6, so the Jersey Girls started the day in very cold conditions at Manildra. 

It took the home side just over five minutes to get on the board and open up a 6-0 lead. After 13 minutes the Rhinos were in again to make it 12-0 courtesy of their very elusive fullback Heidi Regan, who scored four tries in the first half.

After the break and down 22-0, the Jersey Girls managed to stem the tide of points through Tara McGrath-West and Tioni Smith. 

However, plenty of squandered possession haunted the girls all day. Steph Cribb and Christy Johnson tried everything they could and with only seven minutes remaining Kirsten McGhie crossed wide out for the only points of the day. 

Having lost the game 34-4, the Jersey Girls slip back to fifth position on the ladder.

When the Brahmans first grade side took the field and had first use of the ball, they made some good progress up field in their first set. Things looked promising.

Unfortunately, that was largely the end of it as Manildra went in after two minutes, followed by another try four minutes later. Suddenly, Binalong trailed 10-0 after six minutes.

It looked very much like more of the same from the past nine weeks. Nevertheless, after 20 minutes the visitors were only down 14-0 and a very deft grubber by Drew Arabin between the sticks saw Hayden Bee pounce and it was 14-6.

The home side scored more tries to lead the match 38-6 at the break. 

Heaven knows what coach Ben Spencer had to say at half time, but it worked as it was an entirely different outfit which took the field for the second 40. 

With a slight breeze at their backs, the Brahmans made good metres up the centre through Lance Adams and Anthony Merritt and Mick Spencer crashed over after five minutes to bridge the gap to 38-12.

Drew and Danny Arabin provided plenty of go-forward and a brilliant cut-out pass by Danny to an unmarked David Cribb out wide saw him score a classic winger’s try in the corner. The try was unconverted but after 14 minutes the visitors were down 38-16 and pressing their opponents hard. 

That momentum drew to a halt when Dave Ings was sent to the bin for retaliation in an altercation.

It was left up to Merritt, Lance Adams and Drew Arabin to lead the way. They all excelled and left Manildra with no answers to the trio.

Beau O’Mara was his usual best and defused a couple of serious threats. Mick Spencer defended and attacked in his usual style. Manildra did manage to squeeze over for another try in the 18th minute.

In one of the most remarkable pieces of play in the 28th minute, Merritt, now playing at five-eighth, produced the most delicate chip kick to the left corner. It looked too big but a very alert Luke Cotter on the wing leapt up and batted the ball back to Tim Regan, who scored a spectacular try. Left to convert this from less than two metres in, Regan took his time and calmly slotted the ball between the sticks to make the score 44-22.

The Rhinos right centre had been sent to the bin after using an elbow in a tackle on Nathan Regan and this weakened the right defence. 

The Brahmans attacked this side time and again but couldn’t break through. The game was winding down but the visitors' intensity wasn’t. 

Even so Manildra did score again including one after the siren to run out winners by 54-22.

The second 40 was probably the best football the Brahmans have produced this season and more efforts like this would have seen them further up the Woodbridge ladder. The second half was effectively a 16-all draw. 

In other results: Burrangong 24, forced the issue with Cargo 32; Condobolin 32 edged out Trundle 30 at home; Grenfell defeated Peak Hill 50-16; and Eugowra defeated Canowindra 28-26. 

These results still leave Trundle on top of the table. 

Binalong this weekend travels to Condobolin.

Manildra 54 defeated Binalong 22 (H Bee, M Spencer, D Cribb and T Regan tries; H Bee 2 and T Regan conversions)