The 2016 Group Six Rugby League season was launched on Saturday when the official pre-season competition got under way at Victoria Park, Picton and rugby league correspondent MIKE SHEAN casts an eye on the start of a new year.
All 10 senior clubs took part in a shortened format, playing two matches each in difficult conditions, with hot dry weather making football tough.
Only two clubs came through without a loss, and led their pools respectively.
Picton, who fielded the strongest of any teams, and Oakdale, who would be considered a surprise packet, after a disappointing 2015 season.
The Oaks and Appin couldn’t record a win, with all others having split their two matches across the day. All clubs will return to the field on Saturday, with another two matches for all clubs before finals on Sunday.
Camden will consider themselves unlucky not to be on top of the Northern pool, with a 16-16 draw with Oakdale in the second match of the day.
Oakdale were classed as winners by scoring the first try of the match. The Rams also had a better percentage than Oakdale, but the result from their match could determine finals positions for next weekend.
Picton were quite impressive in their opening match, against Moss Vale, recording a 42-0 win over the Dragons. The Magpies found their second match much harder, recording a tough 12-4 win over Thirlmere, who were also quite impressive in their matches.
Most clubs fielded a mixed outfit for their games, with a combination of first and reserve grade players filling their squads, while several fielded younger players in combination with their seniors.
The majority of the matches were close scoring affairs, with only two of the Southern pool matches seeing winning scores of over 20 points.
The Northern pool had three of the five games with a winning score above 20.
Matches return to the field next Saturday, with the introduction of the Women’s League Tag competition to the format, as six clubs take to the field at The Oaks and Narellan.
The first grade matches begin at both venues at about 4pm, with the final match scheduled to begin at around 8pm.
The finals will be held on Sunday at Appin Sportsground, with the makeup of the finalists to not be known until after the final matches on Saturday evening.
Matches will begin on Sunday with the Women’s League Tag match at noon, before quarter finals and semis, with the final to be played at around 7pm on Sunday evening.
The official launch of the 2016 Group Six Rugby League season was held on Sunday afternoon at Bargo Sports Club.
All senior clubs, and several Second Division clubs were in attendance at the function, which marked the commencement of the 2016 season.
The Group is excited about the prospects of the Women’s League Tag competition, with strong sides to be expected from all six clubs fielding teams.
Details regarding the draw will be released in the coming weeks.
A Group Representative side will be chosen for the first time, and there are hopes it will expand in 2017 with more clubs taking part.
