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Macarthur Rugby League

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The Macarthur Conference Rugby League is a senior Rugby league competition in New South Wales, Australia, administered by the New South Wales Rugby League. Formerly known as Group 6 Rugby League, the competition was, until 2019, run under the auspices of the Country Rugby League. The geographical area covered by the former CRL 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.

Macarthur Conference Rugby League
Former Group 6 logo
SportRugby league
Formerly known asGroup 6 Rugby League
Instituted1914 (as Berrima District Rugby League)
Inaugural season1946 (as Group 6)
Number of teams19 (11 in First Grade)
Country Australia
Premiers Thirlmere Roosters (2023)
Most titles Picton Magpies (13 titles)
WebsiteGroup 6 Homepage

The competition features eight grades, with these being First Grade, Reserve Grade, Third Grade, Open Age (Fourths), Women's Tackle, League Tag, Under 20s and Under 18s.

Senior clubs

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia the commencement of Group 6 2020 season was postponed. Delayed, competition matches began on 2 August 2020. The number of First Grade participants decreased from nine teams in 2019 to five teams in 2020, but had rebounded to 11 by the 2023 season.

An unrelated change between the 2019 and 2020 seasons was the merger of the Moss Vale Dragons and Bowral Blues, forming a new club Highlands Storm.[1][2] This club then moved to the Group 7 Rugby League competition.

The following table notes the clubs and the teams they fielded in the 2019 and 2020 Group 6 senior competitions: 1st Grade, Reserve Grade (2nd), Third Grade/Division 2 and Under 18s (U18), Women's tackle (Wom) and Ladies League Tag (LLT).

Club City/Suburbs Homeground 2023 Season
A B B2 C W U18s 1 U18s 2 U18s G WLT 1 WLT 2 O35LT
First Grade Clubs
  Camden Rams Camden Kirkham Park  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y
  Campbelltown City Kangaroos Sydney (Claymore) Fullwood Reserve  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y
  Campbelltown Collegians Sydney (Bradbury) Bradbury Oval  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y
  East Campbelltown Eagles Sydney (Campbelltown) Waminda Oval  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y
  Mittagong Lions Mittagong Mittagong Sports Ground  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y
  Narellan Jets Sydney (Narellan) Narellan Sports Ground  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y
  Oakdale Workers Oakdale Sid Sharpe Memorial Oval  Y  Y  Y
  Picton Magpies Picton Victoria Park  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y
  South West Goannas Camden Onslow Oval  Y  Y
  The Oaks Tigers The Oaks Dudley Chesham Sports Ground  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y
  Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters Thirlmere Thirlmere Sports Ground  Y  Y
Second Division Clubs
  Appin Dogs Appin Appin Park  Y  Y  Y
  Eagle Vale-St Andrews Magpies Sydney (Eschol Park) Eschol Park Sports Complex  Y  Y  Y
  Glenquarie All Stars Sydney (Glenfield) Seddon Park  Y  Y
  Liverpool Catholic Club Raiders Sydney (Liverpool) Hillier Oval  Y  Y
  Minto Cobras Sydney (Minto) Benham Reserve  Y  Y  Y
  Mount Annan-Currans Hill Knights Sydney (Currans Hill) Jack Nash Reserve  Y  Y  Y  Y
  Oran Park-Gregory Hills Chargers Sydney (Oran Park) Jack Brabham Reserve  Y  Y
  Warragamba Wombats Warragamba Warragamba Sportsground  Y  Y  Y  Y
Other Divisions
  Campbelltown Warriors Sydney (Ruse) Worrell Park  Y
  East Hills Bulldogs Sydney (East Hills) Smith Park  Y
  Moorebank Rams Sydney (Moorebank) Hammondville Oval  Y
  • A = First Grade
  • B = Reserve Grade
  • B2 = Second Division
  • C = Third Grade
  • W = Women's Tackle
  • U18s 1 = Under 18s Division One
  • U18s 2 = Under 18s Division Two
  • U18s G = Under 18s Girls
  • WLT 1 = Women's League Tag Division One
  • WLT 2 = Women's League Tag Division Two
  • O35LT = Over 35s Men's League Tag

Past clubs

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Clubs from the greater Campbelltown, New South Wales area participated in the 1st Division Group 6 competition from 1946 to 1983. These clubs as well as other former clubs included:

Division 1

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Club Moniker Years Contested Premierships Notes
  All Saints Liverpool Saints 2010 None Moved
  Appin Dogs ?? None Plays in Division 2
  Bowral Blues 1914–2019 1926, 1944, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956–58, 1960–61, 1965, 1968 Merged with Moss Vale to form Southern Highlands Storm
  Campbelltown RSL Warriors 1970–1983 1972, 1979 Plays in Division 2
  Goulburn Stockmen 2005–2007 2007 Folded (Players joined re-formed Goulburn Workers in Canberra RL)
  Ingleburn Bulldogs 1974–1983 None Folded
  Leumeah Wolves 1971–1977 None Folded
  Moss Vale Dragons 1914-2019 1920, 1925, 1927–30, 1953, 1955, 1982, 1984, 1990, 2010 Merged with Bowral to form Southern Highlands Storm
  Southern Highlands Storm 2020 None Moved (Group 7 Rugby League)
  Warragamba Wombats ?? 1989 Plays in Division 2

Division 2

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Clubs from Campbelltown to feature in the 2nd Division and 3rd Division leagues from 1973 to 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 Lower Grades include:

  • The Bowral–Robertson Pioneers
  • Appin Warriors
  • Berrima Gaol 'The Colts'
  • Berrima
  • Hinchinbrook Hornets
  • Wingello
  • Wildes Meadow
  • Sutton Forest
  • Bundanoon Highlanders
  • Robertson Spuddies (transferred to Group 7)

History

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Berrima District Rugby League

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1914–45: Berrima and Wollondilly

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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.[3]

Competition football resumed 1919.[4] During the 1920s Camden, Campbelltown and, in some years, Picton teams played in the Southern Districts Rugby League.[5] 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.[6] Between 1928 and 1930 the Warleigh Cup was played in lieu of premiership finals.[7] In 1931 the cup was held in May.[8]

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.[9][10]

In the early 1930s, premiership football gave way to a plethora of challenge cups, which had begun to be introduced.[11] The high rate of unemployment was cited as a reason for favouring challenge cups over competition.[12] 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.[13] Group 6 disbanded in 1936 and no competition was held.[14]

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.[15] Berrima mixed a four-team competition with challenge cup matches in 1938.[16] Meanwhile, the re-formed Wollondilly District experimented with a one-day carnival premiership.[17] A re-established Group 6 coordinated a cup draw in 1939.[18] Despite the war, some senior football was played the following season.[19]

Burrawang-Robertson and two Bargo teams participated in a 1944 competition with premiers Bowral and runners-up Mittagong.[20] Campbelltown, Moss Vale, Picton and Thirlmere resumed playing the next year.[21]

Group 6 Era

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1946–68: Highland Fling

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'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

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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 & hooker John White 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

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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 petered 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.

In 1993, 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 to 2000. Mount Annan would struggle though alongside Narellan and Camden, eventually returning to 2nd Division.

From 2005-2007, the Goulburn Stockmen would enter the competition. With the Group 6 First Grade competition struggling and the Goulburn Club struggling to keep pace with the Canberra competition, it was mutually beneficial to see the Stockmen enter into Group 6. They came into the competition highly fancied, and it wasn’t until 2007 that they managed to take out the Group 6 title with a dramatic Win over Thirlmere Roosters at Thirlmere Sportsground, after Thirlmere front row forward Peter Jensen was sensationally sent from the field.

2008: 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.

2009–10: The Combined Competition: A New Era Commences or does it?

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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

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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 at Kirkham Park.

2012–20: Final Years in the CRL

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2012 saw the East Campbelltown Eagles take that one step further from only suffering two losses in the 2011 season, one of those losses was the 2011 Grand Final against Oakdale, the Eagles blitzed the competition going through undefeated and winning the 2012 Grand Final defeating Thirlmere 44–10, The club also claimed the CRL Claytons Cup which hadn't been won by a Group 6 Club since Mittagong had won the cup in 1991.

The Picton Magpies RLFC would assert their dominance over the competition coming from nowhere in 2013 to beat Minor Premiers Mittagong in a thrilling Grand Final at Kirkham Park. Mittagong will forever live with the heartache and a rue a late missed conversion from adjacent to the uprights which would’ve sent the game into extra time. Picton would then defend their title in 2014 on home soil at Victoria Park in a grand final rematch with Mittagong, this time easily accounting for the Lions. This would be the last time in the modern era that the Group 6 Grand Final would be played at one of the local grounds and not Campbelltown Stadium. 2015 would see Picton complete a hat trick of premierships with a Grand Final day drubbing of Camden. The chant rang out from the Campbelltown Stadium stands "Ram Soup", as Camden would lose all 3 major grades on the day. 2016 would be the end of the Magpie dominance with Camden running out winners 14-12 in the season finale at Campbelltown Stadium and in the process ending the glamour clubs 14 year winless run.

In a major boil over The Campbelltown City Kangaroos wiped the floor with the highly fancied Thirlmere Roosters in a night time grand final at Campbelltown Stadium. It was the 11th premiership for the 1908 club and a 34 year drought that was broken by the Roos after they rejoined the competition in 2009 through the combined competition.

Picton would return to the summit of the group 6 competition with their 4th premiership in 6 years, this time dispatching of an Oaks Tigers team that were making their first appearance on grand final day in 16 years. Picton were just too clinical and The Oaks big guns that got them on a good run to the Grand Final, just couldn’t fire.

Picton would make their 6th Grand Final in 7 years and would face their local rivals Thirlmere Roosters, who were appearing in their first grand final in 11 years. The Roosters would hold the trophy at the end of the day winning an amazing shootout 38-36 on the back of their captain coach Jake Mullaney.

2020–present: Competition joins NSWRL

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With the Country Rugby League being dissolved and absorbed into the NSWRL, Group 6 became part of the NSWRL in 2020.

A modified season interrupted by COVID-19. There were 2 clear standouts in the drastically shortened season, The 2019 Defending Premiers - Thirlmere Roosters and The Oakdale Workers. Amazingly Thirlmere who were reduced to 12 men after a sickening high shot held off the Oakdale team to record back to back premierships.

Macarthur Division Rugby League Era

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2021–present: New name, New Clubs

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In 2021, the competition was officially renamed the Macarthur Division Rugby League.

Campbelltown Collegians and East Campbelltown Eagles joined competition, but the COVID-19 lockdowns saw the early cancellation of the competition's inaugural season under its new name.

1st Grade Premiers

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Year Premiers Score Runners-up Match Information
Date Venue Referee
Berrima District Rugby League Premiership (1914–31, 1937–45)
1914 Robertson Reds   5 – 0   Moss Vale Blues 12 September 1914 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale A. Norton
1915 No Competition Due to World War I
1916
1917
1918
1919 (2) Robertson Reds   8 – 3   Bowral Two Blues 30 August 1919 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale T. McIntosh
1920 Moss Vale Blues   18 – 0   Robertson Reds 4 September 1920 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale D. Frowley
1921 (3) Robertson Reds   11 – 7   Moss Vale Blues 17 September 1921 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale T. McMahon
1922 (4) Robertson Reds   13 – 7   Moss Vale Blues 9 September 1922 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale T. Dickenson
1923 (5) Robertson Reds   5 – 0   Moss Vale Blues 1 September 1923 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale J. Black
1924 (6) Robertson Reds   3 – 0   Bargo 2 August 1924 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale J. Black
1925 (2) Moss Vale Blues   10 – 8   Bargo 15 August 1925 Loseby Park, Bowral M. Brannaghan
1926 Bowral Two Blues   5 – 3   Robertson Reds 14 August 1926 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale F. Delaney
1927 (3) Moss Vale Blues   3 – 2   Bowral Two Blues 10 September 1927 Loseby Park, Bowral E. Buckley
1928 (4) Moss Vale Blues   5 – 0   Bowral Two Blues 22 September 1928 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale R. Drake
1929 (5) Moss Vale Blues   15 – 3   Burrawang 5 October 1929 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale
1930 (6) Moss Vale Blues   No Grand Final   Bowral Two Blues
1931 No Group Competition
Group 6 Premiership (1932–36, 1946–20)
1932 No Group Competition
1933
1934
1935 Picton Magpies   27 – 6   Bowral Blues 18 August 1935 Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong
1936 No Group Competition
Berrima District Rugby League Premiership (1914–31, 1937–45)
1937 (2) Bowral Blues   23 – 0   Mittagong Greens 10 July 1937 Loseby Park, Bowral J. O'Malley
1938 Mittagong Greens   No Grand Final   Robertson-Burrawang Reds*
1939 No Group Competition
1940
1941 No Competition Due to World War II
1942
1943
1944 (3) Bowral Blues   13 – 5   Mittagong Greens 17 September 1944 Loseby Park, Bowral
1945 (2) Mittagong Greens   7 – 2   Robertson-Burrawang Reds 19 August 1945 Loseby Park, Bowral A. Taplin
Group 6 Premiership (1932–36, 1946–20)
1946 Campbelltown Kangaroos   20 – 9   Bowral Blues 4 August 1946 Victoria Park, Picton A. Taplin
1947 (4) Bowral Blues   13 – 10   Campbelltown Kangaroos 10 August 1947 Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale G. Henry
1948 Camden Rams   15 – 15   Bowral Blues 1 August 1948 Victoria Park, Picton K. Couch
Camden Rams   14 – 5   Bowral Blues 8 August 1948 Victoria Park, Picton K. Couch
1949 (2) Campbelltown Kangaroos   18 – 10   Bowral Blues 25 September 1949 Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong A. Grew
1950 (5) Bowral Blues   22 – 5   Wingecarribee Reds 17 September 1950 Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong Wilson
1951 (2) Camden Rams   20 – 0   Picton Magpies 26 August 1951 Victoria Park, Picton L. Warren
1952 (6) Bowral Blues   12 – 5   Picton Magpies 14 September 1952 Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong D. Cohen
1953 (7) Moss Vale Dragons   9 – 7   Picton Magpies 23 August 1953 Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong D. Cohen
1954 (7) Bowral Blues   14 – 8   Camden Rams 5 September 1954 Victoria Park, Picton W. Kerr
1955 (8) Moss Vale Dragons   13 – 12   Bowral Blues
1956 (8) Bowral Blues   10 – 0   Moss Vale Dragons
1957 (9) Bowral Blues   42 – 0   Camden Rams
1958 (10) Bowral Blues   10 – 7   Mittagong Lions
1959 (3) Mittagong Lions   6 – 5   Moss Vale Dragons
1960 (11) Bowral Blues   11 – 4   Moss Vale Dragons
1961 (12) Bowral Blues   24 – 3   Robertson-Burrawang Spuddies
1962 (4) Mittagong Lions   12 – 7   Campbelltown Kangaroos
1963 (5) Mittagong Lions   18 – 11   Campbelltown Kangaroos
1964 (6) Mittagong Lions   8 – 2   Bowral Blues
1965 (13) Bowral Blues   14 – 3   Campbelltown Kangaroos
1966 (2) Picton Magpies   7 – 0   Mittagong Lions
1967 (7) Mittagong Lions   8 – 0   Picton Magpies
1968 (14) Bowral Blues   4 – 2   Mittagong Lions
1969 (3) Campbelltown City Kangaroos   22 – 3   Bowral Blues
1970 (4) Campbelltown City Kangaroos   6 – 4   Oakdale Workers
1971 (5) Campbelltown City Kangaroos   15 – 13   Campbelltown RSL Warriors
1972 Campbelltown RSL Warriors   21 – 12   Camden Rams
1973 (6) Campbelltown City Kangaroos   21 – 3   Campbelltown Collegians
1974 (7) Campbelltown City Kangaroos   23 – 9   Ingleburn Bulldogs
1975 (8) Campbelltown City Kangaroos   12 – 8   Ingleburn Bulldogs
1976 The Oaks Tigers   16 – 10   Camden Rams
1977 (2) The Oaks Tigers   22 – 3   Camden Rams
1978 (3) Camden Rams   5 – 2   Campbelltown RSL Warriors
1979 (2) Campbelltown RSL Warriors   9 – 0   Camden Rams
1980 (9) Campbelltown City Kangaroos   25 – 9   Picton Magpies
1981 (3) Picton Magpies   15 – 11   Campbelltown City Kangaroos
1982 (9) Moss Vale Dragons   10 – 6   Campbelltown City Kangaroos
1983 (10) Campbelltown City Kangaroos   24 – 6   The Oaks Tigers
1984 (10) Moss Vale Dragons   36 – 12   Camden Rams
1985 (4) Picton Magpies   16 – 8   Moss Vale Dragons
1986 (5) Picton Magpies   8 – 7   Camden Rams
1987 (6) Picton Magpies   26 – 16   Mittagong Lions
1988 (8) Mittagong Lions   18 – 17   Bowral Blues
1989 Warragamba Wombats   22 – 12   Oakdale Workers
1990 (11) Moss Vale Dragons   20 – 12   Mittagong Lions
1991 (9) Mittagong Lions   10 – 6   Oakdale Workers
1992 (3) The Oaks Tigers   14 – 4   Picton Magpies
1993 Oakdale Workers   29 – 14   Camden Rams
1994 (4) Camden Rams   26 – 4   Appin Warriors
1995 (10) Mittagong Lions   12 – 11   Narellan Jets
1996 Narellan Jets   40 – 8   Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters
1997 (5) Camden Rams   27 – 21   Picton Magpies
1998 (6) Camden Rams   23 – 16   The Oaks Tigers
1999 (7) Picton Magpies   20 – 0   The Oaks Tigers
2000 (7) Camden Rams   26 – 16   Picton Magpies
2001 Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters   19 – 16   Oakdale Workers 8 September 2001 Victoria Park, Picton
2002 (8) Camden Rams   29 – 10   The Oaks Tigers 25 August 2002 Kirkham Park, Sydney
2003 (2) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters   32 – 16   Camden Rams
2004 (2) Narellan Jets   24 – 16   Camden Rams
2005 (8) Picton Magpies   28 – 22   Camden Rams
2006 (3) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters   6 – 0   Picton Magpies
2007 Goulburn Stockmen   36 – 26   Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters
2008 (4) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters   19 – 16   Oakdale Workers
2009 (9) Picton Magpies   26 – 12   Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters
2010 (12) Moss Vale Dragons   6 – 2   Picton Magpies
2011 (2) Oakdale Workers   24 – 16   East Campbelltown Eagles
2012 Campbelltown Eagles   44 – 10   Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters T. Cini
2013 (10) Picton Magpies   24 – 22   Mittagong Lions 15 September 2013 Kirkham Park, Sydney T. Cini
2014 (11) Picton Magpies   36 – 4   Mittagong Lions 14 September 2014 Victoria Park, Picton
2015 (12) Picton Magpies   46 – 0   Camden Rams 13 September 2015 Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
2016 (9) Camden Rams   14 – 12   Picton Magpies 17 September 2016 Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
2017 (11) Campbelltown City Kangaroos   30 – 8   Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters 17 September 2017 Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney A. Sheldrick
2018 (13) Picton Magpies   22 – 10   The Oaks Tigers 16 September 2018 Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney A. Sheldrick
2019 (5) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters   38 – 36   Picton Magpies 15 September 2019 Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney A. Sheldrick
2020 (6) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters   33 – 22   Oakdale Workers 27 September 2020 Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney D. Perry
Macarthur Conference Premiership (2021–Present)
2021 (7) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters   No Grand Final   Oakdale Workers
2022 (10) Camden Rams   30 – 4   East Campbelltown Eagles 11 September 2022 Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney A. Sheldrick
2023 (8) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters   28 – 26   Camden Rams 17 September 2023 Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney A. Sheldrick
Team Winners Runners-up Years won Years runner-up
  Bowral Blues 14 12 1926, 1937, 1944, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958,

1960, 1961, 1965, 1968

1919, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1935, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1955, 1964,

1969, 1988

  Picton Magpies 13 12 1935, 1966, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2013,

2014, 2015, 2018

1951, 1952, 1953, 1967, 1980, 1992, 1997, 2000, 2006, 2010,

2016, 2019

  Moss Vale Dragons 12 8 1920, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1953, 1955, 1982, 1984,

1990, 2010

1914, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1985
  Campbelltown City Kangaroos 11 6 1946, 1949, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1983,

2017

1947, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1982
  Camden Rams 10 14 1948, 1951, 1978, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2016, 2022 1954, 1957, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1986, 1993, 2003,

2004, 2005, 2015, 2023

  Mittagong Lions 10 9 1938, 1945, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1988, 1991, 1995 1937, 1944, 1958, 1966, 1968, 1987, 1990, 2013, 2014
  Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters 8 5 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023 1996, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017
  Robertson Reds 6 2 1914, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924 1920, 1926
  The Oaks Tigers 3 5 1976, 1977, 1992 1983, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2018
  Oakdale Workers 2 7 1993, 2011 1970, 1989, 1991, 2001, 2008, 2020, 2021
  Campbelltown Warriors 2 2 1972, 1979 1971, 1978
  Narellan Jets 2 1 1996, 2004 1995
  Robertson-Burrawang Spuddies 1 2 1938 1945, 1961
  East Campbelltown Eagles 1 2 2012 2011, 2022
  Warragamba Wombats 1 0 1989 –
  Goulburn Stockmen 1 0 2007 –
  Bargo Bunnies 0 2 – 1924, 1925
  Ingleburn Bulldogs 0 2 – 1974, 1975
  Burrawang 0 1 – 1929
  Wingecarribee Reds 0 1 – 1950
  Campbelltown Collegians 0 1 – 1973
  Appin Dogs 0 1 – 1994

Matchday

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A successful U/18s League also forms part of the senior Sunday matchday in Group 6/Macarthur Division. Gameday normally follows this schedule:

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

Group 6 Junior League

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15km
10miles
 
 
Robertson
 
Bundanoon
 
Bargo
 
Oran Park
 
Appin
 
Picton
 
Highlands (Moss Vale, Bowral)
 
Camden
 
Mittagong
 
Campbelltown
 
Mt Annan
 
Warragamba
 
Narellan
 
Thirlmere
 
The Oaks
 
Oakdale
Locations of the Group 6 Senior clubs (current in black).

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 JRLFC. Junior Rugby League in this area was once played by the now defunct Burragorang JRLFC until the late 1980s

Memorable Facts/ Unique Stories

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  • 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 to 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

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References

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  1. ^ Shea, Chris (20 September 2019). "Moss Vale and Bowral senior rugby league teams look to merge". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  2. ^ Welch, Matthew (23 November 2019). "Highlands Storm have selected their first ever head coach for their senior side". Southern Highland News. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Football". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 2 September 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Football Competition". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 15 July 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  5. ^ "Football". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 7 June 1923. p. 7. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  6. ^ "B.D. Rugby League". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 8 April 1925. p. 2. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Competition Points". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 1 September 1928. p. 2. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  8. ^ "Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 19 May 1931. p. 2. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  9. ^ "Competition Table". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 1 August 1929. p. 4. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Wollondilly District". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 8 August 1929. p. 4. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  11. ^ "Picton Citizens Football Challenge Cup". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 3 July 1929. p. 4. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  12. ^ "Rugby League Football". Camden News. Camden: National Library of Australia. 14 May 1931. p. 5. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  13. ^ "Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 31 May 1935. p. 2. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  14. ^ "Football Control". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 1 July 1936. p. 2. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  15. ^ "Protest Upheld". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 30 July 1937. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  16. ^ "Local and General". The Scrutineer and Berrima District Press. Moss Vale: National Library of Australia. 13 August 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  17. ^ "Football Premiers". The Picton Post. Picton: National Library of Australia. 21 July 1937. p. 2. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  18. ^ "Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 19 May 1939. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  19. ^ "Dawson Gold Cup". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 11 June 1940. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  20. ^ "Bowral Wins Football Final". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 22 September 1944. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  21. ^ "R.L. Football". The Southern Mail (Bowral). Bowral: National Library of Australia. 27 April 1945. p. 3. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
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