Former Bingara Bullets club president Rod King, who is also a life member, extolled the virtues of a number of young and established players at various clubs in Group 4 and 19 this year.

King, who is still chairman of the Gwydir League, hopes that entity might re-form.  

“I am not on the Bullets committee but a life member and still chair of Gwydir League (even though it is unlikely to try again in the near future),” King said.

“In regard to Gwydir, I still believe that the future of senior league in Bingara and Warialda is a joint effort, however it will only work if the majority of people in each town gets right behind the club.

“Once that happens, great things are possible.”

Two seasons back, Peter Stevens took the just-merged Warialda and Bingara side to a Group 19 grand final against the eventual premiers Moree Boomerangs.

This year, neither Warialda nor Bingara took part in Group 19.

“In fact, eight Bingara minor league products featured on the Group 4 grand final day,” King said.

“It prompted me to write an article for the Bingara Advocate. 

“Brad McManus and Shane Rampling coached their respective North Tamworth and Gunnedah first grade sides. 

“Dylan Rampling and Mark Sankey both played for Gunnedah plus four under 18s were in the Narrabri team.”

Bingara’s Joey Latham and Brad Craddock also played for Barraba in the Group 4 Second Division.

They had helped the Bulldogs to a 2013 premiership but were knocked out in the final by eventual winners Dungowan.

While Andre Webber, Jed Abra, Dan and Matthew O’Connor travelled to Narrabri to play with the Blues’ Under 18s, Jack Walton joined Group 19’s Inverell Hawks.

“Jack’s Inverell team was leading the competition until pipped by Goondiwindi in the last home and away game and relegated to third, only to be beaten again by Goondiwindi in the minor semi-final 20-18,”  King said.

“Jack mostly played hooker but had some games in the second row and centre. 

“He described the year as fantastic and will play with the Hawks 18s in 2015. 

“It was great to see a young Walton showing all the competitive grit his father and uncles displayed in their long careers with the Bullets.

“Narrabri 18s also had a great season only to be beaten 28-16 by North Tamworth (Farrer opens) in the Group 4 grand final. 

“Jed played on the wing, Andrew played centre and was the Group’s equal highest try scorer, Matthew had a great season, playing in the forwards, Daniel scored a try in the grand final and usually played centre.”

McManus won not only a Group 4 first grade premiership as coach with his North Tamworth side but also a Clayton Cup.

Rampling took Gunnedah to its first first grade grand final in 16 years with the help of his brother Dylan and Mark Sankey.

Blair Reading also played with Moree Boars this season and “never took a a backward step”,  King said.

He said all of the Bingara products should be congratulated for their efforts.

“It is a tremendous and costly exercise to travel away for all training and games and the 18s in particular are a credit to rugby league,’ King said.

“All loved playing with their clubs and they proved to be wonderful ambassadors for our town.”