Macarthur Rugby League Explained

Macarthur Conference Rugby League
Pixels:150x150px
Formerly:Group 6 Rugby League
Founded:1914 (as Berrima District Rugby League)
Inaugural:1946 (as Group 6)
Ceotag:Chief executive
Teams:19 (11 in First Grade)
Championtag:Premiers
Champion: Thirlmere Roosters
Season:2023
Most Champs: Picton Magpies
Count:13
Website:Group 6 Homepage

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.

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

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).

ClubCity/SuburbsHomeground2023 Season
ABB2CWU18s 1U18s 2U18s GWLT 1WLT 2O35LT
First Grade Clubs
Camden RamsCamdenKirkham Park
Campbelltown City KangaroosSydney (Claymore)Fullwood Reserve
Campbelltown CollegiansSydney (Bradbury)Bradbury Oval
East Campbelltown EaglesSydney (Campbelltown)Waminda Oval
Mittagong LionsMittagongMittagong Sports Ground
Narellan JetsSydney (Narellan)Narellan Sports Ground
Oakdale WorkersOakdaleSid Sharpe Memorial Oval
Picton MagpiesPictonVictoria Park
South West GoannasCamdenOnslow Oval
The Oaks TigersThe OaksDudley Chesham Sports Ground
Thirlmere-Tahmoor RoostersThirlmereThirlmere Sports Ground
Second Division Clubs
Appin DogsAppinAppin Park
Eagle Vale-St Andrews MagpiesSydney (Eschol Park)Eschol Park Sports Complex
Glenquarie All StarsSydney (Glenfield)Seddon Park
Liverpool Catholic Club RaidersSydney (Liverpool)Hillier Oval
Minto CobrasSydney (Minto)Benham Reserve
Mount Annan-Currans Hill KnightsSydney (Currans Hill)Jack Nash Reserve
Oran Park-Gregory Hills ChargersSydney (Oran Park)Jack Brabham Reserve
Warragamba WombatsWarragambaWarragamba Sportsground
Other Divisions
Campbelltown WarriorsSydney (Ruse)Worrell Park
East Hills BulldogsSydney (East Hills)Smith Park
Moorebank RamsSydney (Moorebank)Hammondville Oval

Past clubs

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

ClubMonikerYears ContestedPremiershipsNotes
All Saints LiverpoolSaints2010NoneMoved
AppinDogs??NonePlays in Division 2
BowralBlues1914–20191926, 1944, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956–58, 1960–61, 1965, 1968Merged with Moss Vale to form Southern Highlands Storm
Campbelltown RSLWarriors1970–19831972, 1979Plays in Division 2
GoulburnStockmen2005–20072007Folded (Players joined re-formed Goulburn Workers in Canberra RL)
IngleburnBulldogs1974–1983NoneFolded
LeumeahWolves1971–1977NoneFolded
Moss ValeDragons1914-20191920, 1925, 1927–30, 1953, 1955, 1982, 1984, 1990, 2010Merged with Bowral to form Southern Highlands Storm
Southern HighlandsStorm2020NoneMoved (Group 7 Rugby League)
WarragambaWombats??1989Plays in Division 2

Division 2

Clubs from Campbelltown to feature in the 2nd Division and 3rd Division leagues from 1973 to 1983 included:

Other clubs to have played in Group 6 Lower Grades include:

History

Berrima District Rugby League

1914–45: Berrima and Wollondilly

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

1946–68: Highland Fling

'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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

2021–present: New name, New Clubs

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

YearPremiersScoreRunners-upMatch Information
DateVenueReferee
Berrima District Rugby League Premiership (1914–31, 1937–45)
1914Robertson Reds 5 – 0 Moss Vale Blues12 September 1914Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeA. Norton
1915No Competition Due to World War I
1916
1917
1918
1919(2) Robertson Reds 8 – 3 Bowral Two Blues30 August 1919Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeT. McIntosh
1920Moss Vale Blues 18 – 0 Robertson Reds4 September 1920Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeD. Frowley
1921(3) Robertson Reds 11 – 7 Moss Vale Blues17 September 1921Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeT. McMahon
1922(4) Robertson Reds 13 – 7 Moss Vale Blues9 September 1922Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeT. Dickenson
1923(5) Robertson Reds 5 – 0 Moss Vale Blues1 September 1923Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeJ. Black
1924(6) Robertson Reds 3 – 0 Bargo2 August 1924Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeJ. Black
1925(2) Moss Vale Blues 10 – 8 Bargo15 August 1925Loseby Park, BowralM. Brannaghan
1926Bowral Two Blues 5 – 3 Robertson Reds14 August 1926Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeF. Delaney
1927(3) Moss Vale Blues 3 – 2 Bowral Two Blues10 September 1927Loseby Park, BowralE. Buckley
1928(4) Moss Vale Blues 5 – 0 Bowral Two Blues22 September 1928Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeR. Drake
1929(5) Moss Vale Blues 15 – 3 Burrawang5 October 1929Moss Vale Showground, Moss Vale
1930(6) Moss Vale Blues No Grand Final Bowral Two Blues
1931No Group Competition
Group 6 Premiership (1932–36, 1946–20)
1932No Group Competition
1933
1934
1935Picton Magpies 27 – 6 Bowral Blues18 August 1935Mittagong Sports Ground, Mittagong
1936No Group Competition
Berrima District Rugby League Premiership (1914–31, 1937–45)
1937(2) Bowral Blues 23 – 0 Mittagong Greens10 July 1937Loseby Park, BowralJ. O'Malley
1938Mittagong Greens No Grand Final Robertson-Burrawang Reds*
1939No Group Competition
1940
1941No Competition Due to World War II
1942
1943
1944(3) Bowral Blues 13 – 5 Mittagong Greens17 September 1944Loseby Park, Bowral
1945(2) Mittagong Greens 7 – 2 Robertson-Burrawang Reds19 August 1945Loseby Park, BowralA. Taplin
Group 6 Premiership (1932–36, 1946–20)
1946Campbelltown Kangaroos 20 – 9 Bowral Blues4 August 1946Victoria Park, PictonA. Taplin
1947(4) Bowral Blues 13 – 10 Campbelltown Kangaroos10 August 1947Moss Vale Showground, Moss ValeG. Henry
1948Camden Rams 15 – 15 Bowral Blues1 August 1948Victoria Park, PictonK. Couch
Camden Rams 14 – 5 Bowral Blues8 August 1948Victoria Park, PictonK. Couch
1949(2) Campbelltown Kangaroos 18 – 10 Bowral Blues25 September 1949Mittagong Sports Ground, MittagongA. Grew
1950(5) Bowral Blues 22 – 5 Wingecarribee Reds17 September 1950Mittagong Sports Ground, MittagongWilson
1951(2) Camden Rams 20 – 0 Picton Magpies26 August 1951Victoria Park, PictonL. Warren
1952(6) Bowral Blues 12 – 5 Picton Magpies14 September 1952Mittagong Sports Ground, MittagongD. Cohen
1953(7) Moss Vale Dragons 9 – 7 Picton Magpies23 August 1953Mittagong Sports Ground, MittagongD. Cohen
1954(7) Bowral Blues 14 – 8 Camden Rams5 September 1954Victoria Park, PictonW. 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
1972Campbelltown 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
1976The 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
1989Warragamba 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
1993Oakdale Workers 29 – 14 Camden Rams
1994(4) Camden Rams 26 – 4 Appin Warriors
1995(10) Mittagong Lions 12 – 11 Narellan Jets
1996Narellan 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
2001Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters 19 – 16 Oakdale Workers8 September 2001Victoria Park, Picton
2002(8) Camden Rams 29 – 10 The Oaks Tigers25 August 2002Kirkham 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
2007Goulburn 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
2012Campbelltown Eagles 44 – 10 Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters
2013(10) Picton Magpies 24 – 22 Mittagong Lions15 September 2013Kirkham Park, Sydney
2014(11) Picton Magpies 36 – 4 Mittagong Lions14 September 2014Victoria Park, Picton
2015(12) Picton Magpies 46 – 0 Camden Rams13 September 2015Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
2016(9) Camden Rams 14 – 12 Picton Magpies17 September 2016Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
2017(11) Campbelltown City Kangaroos 30 – 8 Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters17 September 2017Campbelltown Sports Stadium, SydneyA. Sheldrick
2018(13) Picton Magpies 22 – 10 The Oaks Tigers16 September 2018Campbelltown Sports Stadium, SydneyA. Sheldrick
2019(5) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters 38 – 36 Picton Magpies15 September 2019Campbelltown Sports Stadium, SydneyA. Sheldrick
2020(6) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters 33 – 22 Oakdale Workers27 September 2020Campbelltown Sports Stadium, SydneyD. Perry
Macarthur Conference Premiership (2021–Present)
2021(7) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters No Grand Final Oakdale Workers
2022(10) Camden Rams 30 – 4 East Campbelltown Eagles11 September 2022Campbelltown Sports Stadium, SydneyA. Sheldrick
2023(8) Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters 28 – 26 Camden Rams17 September 2023Campbelltown Sports Stadium, SydneyA. Sheldrick
TeamWinnersRunners-upYears wonYears runner-up
Bowral Blues14121926, 1937, 1944, 1947, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958,1960, 1961, 1965, 19681919, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1935, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1955, 1964,1969, 1988
Picton Magpies13121935, 1966, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2013,2014, 2015, 20181951, 1952, 1953, 1967, 1980, 1992, 1997, 2000, 2006, 2010,2016, 2019
Moss Vale Dragons1281920, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1953, 1955, 1982, 1984,1990, 20101914, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1985
Campbelltown City Kangaroos1161946, 1949, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1983,20171947, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1982
Camden Rams10141948, 1951, 1978, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2016, 20221954, 1957, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1986, 1993, 2003,2004, 2005, 2015, 2023
Mittagong Lions1091938, 1945, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1988, 1991, 19951937, 1944, 1958, 1966, 1968, 1987, 1990, 2013, 2014
Thirlmere-Tahmoor Roosters852001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 20231996, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017
Robertson Reds621914, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1923, 19241920, 1926
The Oaks Tigers351976, 1977, 19921983, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2018
Oakdale Workers271993, 20111970, 1989, 1991, 2001, 2008, 2020, 2021
Campbelltown Warriors221972, 19791971, 1978
Narellan Jets211996, 20041995
Robertson-Burrawang Spuddies1219381945, 1961
East Campbelltown Eagles1220122011, 2022
Warragamba Wombats101989
Goulburn Stockmen102007
Bargo Bunnies021924, 1925
Ingleburn Bulldogs021974, 1975
Burrawang011929
Wingecarribee Reds011950
Campbelltown Collegians011973
Appin Dogs011994

Matchday

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

Group 6 Junior League

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.

Memorable Facts/ Unique Stories

See also

References

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

External links and Sources