By the 15th minute, the home side’s defence still held and the forwards through James Blair and Drew Arabin were making inroads into the Condobolin red zone. Then, as good as Binalong were in defence the Rams scored again in quick succession and with a quarter of the game now gone things were looking bleak.

To the rescue came Dylan Arabin who planted the ball behind Condobolin’s goal line, and with Hayden Bee’s conversion it was 16-6. Max Giles scored a legitimate strip from a Rams attacker and was off to the try line. Although run down by the defence, Max was able to get Nathan Regan close enough in the next play to grab another try for the Brahmans.

As half-time approached, James Blair crashed over for a try and Condobolin replied to bring up half-time with the Rams leading 28-16. The improvement seen two weeks ago against the Rhinos was continuing. More structure in attack was paying off. Lance Adams provided some venom up the middle with Blairy.

But the two little workhorses in Mick Spencer and Andrew Stadtmiller counted for a lot, neither are heavyweights in stature but they do draw the attack towards them week in and out for a runner to take an offload.

For an incredible 32 minutes, the Brahmans held Condo scoreless in the second half and the two teams went at it "hammer and tongs". It was an entertaining contest and the crowd got right into it. Finally the Brahmans forwards weren’t being dominated and the backs got a chance to profit.

With seven minutes till full time, a Condobolin player got a line-break and was off for the try line until he was bravely run down and tackled by captain Tommy Johnson. With a fair head start it was that little extra 10 per cent that every player was showing from week to week that got Johnson the try saver.

However, the Rams were too close and crossed again twice, but not until Tim Regan had got his try for the final score of 34-22. Prior to this, close to an all-in brawl erupted with fists flying in all directions, and Tim and Nathan Regan got their marching orders as did one Condobolin player.

Down to 11 players, the hosts were in no position to force a closer result and that was the end to another disappointing loss. Tim Regan was at half-back and busy all day, clearing kicks were creating problems for Condo, and Max Giles and Beau O’Mara both played well. A goal drop-out by Hayden Bee made almost 62 metres on the bounce.

In the lower grades, the Binalong "Calves" continued on their winning way. The visitors arrived under strength and Dylan Arabin scored and converted in the first minute for a 6-0 lead. Dylan Downey, who was dominant all day, was next in the 7th minute for 12-0.

The scoring went on until Binalong were in front 32-6 at half-time. The fulltime score should have been 50-6 but the "silly-season" set in seven minutes into the second half when Dylan Arabin was dismissed for an obscure foul. The home side then proceeded to give away a string of penalties and let in three more tries.

This Binalong Youth League team are a good chance for a Grand Final berth in September. But not if they let ill-discipline dominate their game, the players need to understand that a 32-6 half time score does not guarantee victory. They need to go out and repeat their first half performance.

The stars of the day were the Binalong Jersey Girls. Down 4-0 at half time, the girls went straight back out and went to work on the opposition. For the entire 50 minutes of the game, Condobolin spent less than four minutes in the Jersey Girls “Red-Zone”, such was the home side’s defence.

Hardly a poor player on the day, this team is showing all the hallmarks of a very polished side. At one point, Christie Johnson at first receiver took the ball to the line and having drawn her opponent, slipped a deft pass to Emily Banks who promptly chopped up any resistance.

Last report, a try was incorrectly credited to Tash Goode who did not play in the previous game. But last Saturday Tash did play and was a constant worry for the Condo defence. Unfortunately Cherrae Smith fell heavily behind the goal line and appears to have dislocated her shoulder.

Jersey Girls captain Kayla Smith kept her charges on the ball but the line break by Jess Abnett was fabulous, Ange Taylor and Em Banks threw in plenty of support. 

In other first grade results: Cargo 44, Eugowra 30. Canowindra 64, Burrangong 10. Grenfell 36, Manildra 28 and Trundle 28, Peak Hill 16. This now sees Cargo, Canowindra and Trundle as the top three in first grade all on 6 points.

First Grade: Binalong 22 (Tries: D.Arabin, N.Regan, J.Blair and T.Regan. Goals; H. Bee (3) lost to Condobolin 34. Referee: Mr. L.Brown.

Next Saturday sees Binalong away in all 3 grades to Grenfell.