With all the hype surrounding rugby league in Nyngan this season, some may have forgotten another sport the town cherishes and succeeds at.

The Nyngan District Cricket Association Competition starts this starts this Saturday at Frank Smith Oval, in what is expected to be a blockbuster season for players and fans alike.

With much new blood and some foreign interest injected into the comp, the hyped Colts team may have their work cut out defending their title.

Off the field, new sponsorship has also given the competition a festive edge, with the Canonbar Hotel set to sponsor Dalkeith.

RSL, the Bowling Club and the Australian Hotel all continue their patronage.

Anyone who has ever held a cricket bat, nay seen a cricket bat, is encouraged to contact one of the four teams.

Colts - Tim Smith 0410650911

Dalkeith - Jackson Hedges 0400 920 602

RSL - Glen Berwick 0439066145

Aussie Bulls - Toby Miles 0431116093

Competition starts on October 7 at 12 pm, Frank Smith Oval with RSL taking on Colts and Dalkeith v The Aussie.

A chip in for a birdie on the 18th by Dave Buggy was just in  the nick of time for Dave and his partner Croc.

They finished with a 60 nett, after cruising around the front nine two under they struck plenty of rough going on the way home and finished two over thanks to that magic shot by Bug Man.

A little bit stiff was Chicky Parry and Bill Hare who had 60.75 nett. They looked likely winners after a string of birdies on the 14th/16th/17th then an unfortunate five on the lucky last gave Croc and Dave their narrow win.

Not that far away was Tex and the surprising packet Mark (Young Duck) Grimmond.

They had 61.5 nett after getting into all sorts of strife along the river.

Pin winners were Dave and Carolyn Fallon field (nee Bock) who was talented junior here and now plays off single figures at Asquith.

The ladies mid-week competition went to Jenny Holmes with 38 points a great recovery after she lost her brand new Optima on the levee bank with her rough tee shot.

Mandy Martin (scored 36 points) and Mim Pateman (nearest to the pin) were out enjoying their break from school duties.

There has been a slight alteration to the program with Nyngan Tyres and Batteries Day on Saturday.

Its an Irish Two Ball Medley.

Sunday is a stableford game and the western district's pennants are at Warren.

Badge draw is for $800.

Non golfer Gai Lister gave her jackpot putt every chance but came up empty handed.

The loot is over $1700 this Thursday.

It’d been a long time coming but last Wednesday night, Dean Chapple broke through for long-time friend and trainer John Moy.

“I have known John for a long time now and I don’t think I have driven a winner for him before,” Chapple said.

Moy engaged Chapple to take the reins of Jetset Star, in the Kevin & Kay Seymour Celebrating 50 years Mares Pace, who had no problems in dealing with her opposition.

Jetset Star went straight to the lead from barrier one, dictated the terms and finished the race in fine fashion.

Mac Toddy from the Adam Francis stables raced outside Jetset Star for the 1609-metre race and placed pressure on Jetset Star heading into the home straight.

“I have lots of respect for Adam’s horse – he had me worried and I didn’t know how much I had in the tank but I had plenty in the end so it was good,” Chapple said.

In the end, Jetset Star had a three-metre win over Mac Toddy while Gargzdai Girl was blocked for running room to finish another metre away third.

Chapple savoured the moment, not knowing when he’d next link up with Moy next.

“The next time I get to drive for John will probably be when this mare foals,” Chapple joked.

Chapple backed it up with another win when he guided Nyngan pacer Bulgari Rose to a victory.

Trained by Ty Robson, Bulgari Rose led all the way to beat Dalacos Empress by eight metres.

“Ty [Robson] came over a couple of days earlier and it was a big thing considering he is the only trotter in Nyngan and the horse turned out immaculate,” Chapple said of Bulgari Rose after the race.

2017 KOORI KNOCKOUT

The 2018 Koori Knockout will be held in the Hunter after the Newcastle Yowies took out the 2017 edition of the tournament at Leichhardt Oval on Monday.

Featuring the likes of Parkes legend Dennis Moran, Wellington captain-coach Aidan Ryan, Dubbo Macquarie prop Jade Hooper and former NRL star Timana Tahu, the Yowies were too good for Griffith Three Ways United in the final, winning 22-10.

In a surprisingly one-sided final, Griffith made far too many errors and were made to pay.

The Riverina side also had plenty of players known in the central west and wider circles, with Coonamble product Jesse Ramien and former Wellington and Westside speedster Sam Coe in their ranks.

NSW State of Origin prop Andrew Fifita was also part of the side which represented his home region.

The Knockout, this year hosted by 2016 winners Redfern All Blacks, once again attracted a big attendance over the course of the four days.

FORMER GROUP 11 STAR ELLIS SHINES AT NRL FINALS

Kaide Ellis has played in more than 10 grand finals in the past few seasons of football, but saved his best performance for the biggest stage.

The former St Johns and Dubbo CYMS junior showed why he is being touted as a future first grader with a man-of-the-match performance for Penrith in their Intrust State Championship match with the PNG Hunters at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

With a big crowd building for the NRL decider later that evening, Ellis starred in a Panthers side that ran riot against the Papua New Guineans, winning 42-18.

After dismantling Wyong in the NSW final the previous week, the Panthers were better again on Sunday, and Ellis led the charge.

The blockbusting back-rower ran hard and hit harder as the Panthers dominated the match to take an unassailable 38-2 lead into half-time.

After the match, Penrith coach Garth Brennan told nrl.com.au that his side prepared for the match as if it was another grand final, admitting the side could have prepared better ahead of their loss to the Northern Pride in the corresponding fixture in 2014.

"It's really satisfying because they're a young side and they're a real development side so to come through and win it on the big day like today, I'm really happy for them," he said.

"The average age is 20 so for those young guys to come through and do it on the big stage, I'm really proud of them.

"It's sweet because we missed out in 2014 on this day, we probably didn't take the concept well enough.

“It was the first year in and we treated it more like an exhibition match than what it really was and I hear all the talk about the Queensland Cup being the stronger competition and they won the Queensland residents this year so it's nice to get one back over them.

"It's a fantastic concept, it's a hard one to prepare for because you have a grand final then you have to say 'there's another one next week' – it is a hard concept to prepare for but it's really satisfying when you get it done on the day."

The 2014 State Championship loss left a bitter feeling that took the gloss off the previous week's grand final win over Newcastle.

"It was like you were runners up, it took away everything from the week before," he said.

"I didn't want to have that same feeling this year so we really prepared well for this week, we had a drink and celebrated last weekend but we stopped Sunday night and were back into work on Monday. 

"That's what I'm really proud of, they sacrificed [celebrating] last weekend and they focused on getting this job done today."