SEASONS 1970 - 1974
FOR A BETTER QUALITY PAGE (COLOUR, PHOTOS ETC) CLICK ON 1970 to 1974
1970
West signed Rugby League great, John Raper, to be Captain / Coach in 1970. With 6 losses and 2 draws West battled to make the semi finals, but they won the last 3 games in the Finals series, beating Maitland 21 – 14 in the Grand Final. In fact West played Maitland in all 3 Grand Finals, and a close 16 – 15 loss in Reserve Grade soured the day, but “just a little”. West’s First Grade side was “Tag” Spruce, Wayne Hore, John Cootes (3 tries), Gary Banks, Ken Smith, Grahame Morissey (try), Bob Adamson, Peter Howlett, John Raper, Dennis Rowston, Brian Carlin (3 goals), Allan Dagwell (try) and Tony Brown. The winning Third Grade side was Ian Bell, Ron Davie, Alan Wallis (field goal), Roger Dean (try), Peter McKerras, Paul Anderson, Frank Frasca, Brian Rooney, Al Druery (5 goals), John Barber (2 tries), Waka Mutu, Steve Lawson and Ray Campbell (try) and the winning coach was Brian Stanbridge. Players who first played for West in 1970 included Bob Adamson - 92 games – Came to West from Manilla. Left West in 1972 and before returning in 1977 coached Yanco Wamoon and Griffith to Premierships, Gary Banks – 67 games – South junior who played with North Sydney from 1967 to 1969. Gary was selected from South in 1996 to play for Australia, John Raper – 40 games – St Goege “Legend” and Rugby League “Immortal” John coached West in 1970, 1971 and 1972. He coached Kurri in 1973 and then returned to Sydney and coached Cronulla and Newtown. John “Bowler hat and all” played 33 tests for Australia and while at West’s captained NSW Country on a New Zealand tour. Larry Dagwell – 55 games was Allan’s cousin, Peter Howlett -145 games – West junior who played 2 games for NSW. Ended his career with South. Ron Davie – 89 games was in the RAAF and Wayne Evans – 150 games. A West junior who went by the name of “Grumpy”. The “40 year photo” of the 1970 winning team is below. BACK ROW Dennis Rowston, John Cootes, John Raper, Wayne Hore, Brian Carlin, Gary Banks, Tony Browne, “Tag” Spruce, Ken Smith FRONT ROW Peter Howlett, Grahame Morissey, Bob Adamson, Allan Dagwell – “All Present and Acounted For!”
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Pre Season
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Opponent
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Result
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Round 1
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Central
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Won 16 - 2
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Round 2
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Kurri
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Won 15 - 7
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Round 3
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Cessnock
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Won 15 - 7
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Round 4
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Waratah
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Won 28 - 10
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Round 5
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Macquarie
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Won 24 - 2
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Round 6
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Cessnock
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Won 27 - 17
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Round 7
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Lakes
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Lost 15 - 11
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Competition
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Opponent
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Result
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Reserves
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Thirds
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Round 1
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Waratah
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Lost 19 - 9
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Lost 16 - 13
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Won 41 - 0
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Round 2
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North
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Won 16 - 7
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Won 12 - 5
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Won 20 - 4
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Round 3
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Cessnock
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Won 16 - 15
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Lost 9 - 6
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Drew 15 - 15
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Round 4
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Lakes
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Lost 17 - 15
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Won 26 - 11
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Won 19 - 3
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Round 5
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Kurri
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Won 19 - 13
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Won 21 -7
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Won 22 - 2
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Round 6
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Macquarie
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Won 27 - 11
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Won 13 - 12
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Won 22 - 4
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Round 7
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Central
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Won 46 - 15
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Won 26 - 4
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Won 21 - 12
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Round 8
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South
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Won 22 - 7
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Lost 9 - 8
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Won 5 - 2
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Round 9
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Maitland
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Lost 20 - 9
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Lost 12 - 5
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Lost 12 - 7
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Round 10
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Waratah
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Won 22 - 17
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Won 19 - 3
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Won 25 - 4
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Round 11
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North
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Won 11 - 10
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Drew 8 - 8
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Won 22 - 2
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Round 12
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Cessnock
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Won 25 - 10
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Won 9 - 8
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Lost 10 - 5
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Round 13
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Lakes
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Lost 21 - 7
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Won 29 - 13
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Won 20 - 11
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Round 14
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Kurri
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Lost 21 - 5
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Won 21 - 3
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Won 32 - 2
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Round 15
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Macquarie
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Lost 22 - 16
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Won 38 - 3
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Won 21 - 0
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Round 16
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Central
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Won 34 - 15
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Drew 5 - 5
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Lost 7 - 6
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Round 17
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South
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Drew 19 - 19
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Won 18 - 11
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Won 17 - 11
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Round 18
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Maitland
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Drew 22 - 22
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Won 6 - 0
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Lost 2 - 0
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Semi
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North
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Won 28 - 3
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Mait, Lost 17 - 6
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Mait Won 21 - 4
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Final
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Lakes
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Won 35 - 16
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Won 17 - 14
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GRAND FINAL
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Maitland
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Won 21 - 14
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Lost 16 - 15
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Won 24 - 5
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1971
After the high of 1970 West failed to make the semi finals in First Grade in 1970 – indeed they lost the last 5 games of the season. John Raper was again Captain / Coach of First Grade, while Brian Stanbridge and Neil Gibson coached the Reserve Grade side and Third Grade side to Premiership wins. The winning Reserve Grade side was C John, B Warby (2 goals), R Davie, C Pritchard, V Puodziunas (try), G Dagwell (try), P Anderson, P Howlett (try), K Smith (try), G Cook, A Wiggs, S Lawson and W Mutu. The winning Third Grade side was I Bell, W Hore (try), A Wallis, R Cronin, N Fletcher (try), F Frasca, L Dagwell, K Campbell, W Hollingsworth, W Evans, N Beri, A Dagwell, A Druery (2 goals) and L Scott (try). Players who first played for West in 1971 included West junior Gary Broadhead (152 games), Greg Cook (105games – Greg was from Darlington Point near Griffith and was one of the most versatile players to ever play for West), Les Perry (38 games – Les was a North Newcastle junior who joined West from the Canterbury Bulldogs) and the pictured Peter Perkins (120 games. Peter was a goal kicking centre who joined West from Maitland Rugby Union).
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Pre Season
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Opponent
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Result
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Round 1
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South
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Lost 15 - 13
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Round 2
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Maitland
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Won 19 - 16
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Round 3
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Kurri
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Won 14 - 4
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Round 4
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Waratah
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Won 18 - 5
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Round 5
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Central
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Won 38 - 0
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Round 6
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Lakes
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Won 20 - 12
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Final
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North
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Won 27 - 6
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Competition
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Opponent
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Result
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Reserves
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Thirds
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Round 1
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Central
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Won 37 - 23
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Lost 10 - 8
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Won 63 - 5
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Round 2
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Cessnock
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Won 21 - 14
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Won 18 - 13
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Won 7 - 5
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Round 3
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South
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Won 25 - 21
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Won 22 - 15
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Lost 11 – 3
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Round 4
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Macquarie
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Won 40 - 8
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Won 25 - 10
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Won 21 - 12
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Round 5
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Lakes
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Won 24 - 21
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Lost 17 - 12
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Lost 15 - 6
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Round 6
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North
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Lost 31 - 13
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Won 32 - 2
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Won 23 - 2
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Round 7
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Maitland
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Lost 15 - 11
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Lost 17 - 6
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Won 10 - 5
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Round 8
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Waratah
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Lost 20 - 6
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Won 35 - 5
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Won 18 - 2
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Round 9
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Kurri
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Won 29 - 10
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Won 18 - 10
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Won 22 - 6
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Round 10
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Central
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Won 41 - 20
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Won 20 - 10
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Won 34 - 8
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Round 11
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Cessnock
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Won 39 - 18
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Won 34 - 10
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Won 21 - 9
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Round 12
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South
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Won 25 - 14
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Lost 10 - 7
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Lost 23 - 15
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Round 13
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Macquarie
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Won 26 - 11
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Won 36 - 10
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Won 22 - 11
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Round 14
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Lakes
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Lost 28 - 10
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Won 37 - 8
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Won 9 - 2
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Round 15
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Waratah
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Lost 19 - 0
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Won 30 - 3
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Won 17 - 4
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Round 16
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Maitland
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Lost 20 - 11
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Won 12 - 7
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Lost 15 - 9
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Round 17
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North
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Lost 21 - 18
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Won 33 - 16
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Won 23 - 4
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Round 18
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Kurri
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Lost 25 - 10
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Won 35 - 5
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Won 62 - 0
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Semi
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Maitland
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Won 12 - 0
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Won 6 - 1
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GRAND FINAL
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Mait 30 Lakes 19
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West 16 – Mait 12
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West 13 – Lks 8
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1972
John Raper continued on as Coach in 1972 and the successful season ended in the Final when West were beaten 21 – 20 by Cessnock. However Reserve Grade, coached by Brian Stanbridge, defeated Maitland 12 – 5 in the Grand Final, and Third Grade, coached by Neil Gibson, scored an impressive 40 -7 win over South. The winning Reserve Grade side was P Gilfeather, P Cootes (try), R Cronin, M McDermott, G White (try and 3 goals), G Morrissey, P Anderson, D Rowston, P Burt, G Dagwell, K Smith (c), S Lawson and P Maher. The winning Third Grade side was B Warby (try and 7 goals), R Davie (try), C Pritchard (try), G Owens (2 tries), R Dunstan, D Higgins, J Keysell (try), P Kachel (try), R Dean, K Campbell (try and goal), K Partridge, P Walls and W Mutu. Newcomers to the club in 1972 included West juniors Peter Burt (2nd row) and Greg Owens Centre), two from Lakes (John Cook - prop and Peter Cootes winger), “Chudley” Loades (prop) from Waratah and Michael McDermott from Macquarie. There were a couple of surprise signings as well – none more than North’s enforcer Karl Hutchinson (prop) (pictured), who went on to play 181 games for West. West signed the 2 back rowers from the victorious 1971 Coonamble team (Frank Fish and current 2013 Sec Michael McEntyre) as well as half back Kevin Hardy from Taree and Lakes junior, centre Des Kimmorley (father of Brett) who played 2 games for NSW in 1971. So all in all a Good year. (A little aside - the team photo is the 1970 Newcastle Boys Junior High School Under 14 Premiership winning side with Captain Greg Owens (front, middle) featured. Greg was Captain, so they say, because he was the only West player in the team. Good one Coach! You do the Maths – Junior High Under 14’s 1970, West Grade 1972)
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Pre Season
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Opponent
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Result
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Opponent
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Result
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Round 1
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Kurri
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Drew 10 all
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Rd 5 - Waratah
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Lost 17 - 11
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Round 2
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Cessnock
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Won 25 -8
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Semi – Maitland
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Won 22 - 20
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Round 3
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South
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Won 9 - 0
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Final - South
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Won 23 - 20
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Round 4
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Central
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Won 13 - 10
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Competition
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Opponent
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Result
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Reserves
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Thirds
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Round 1
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Waratah
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Won 25 - 16
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Lost 38 - 14
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Won 18 - 10
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Round 2
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Kurri
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Drew 15 all
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Won 40 - 10
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Won 26 - 13
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Round 3
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Cessnock
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Won 23 - 9
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Won 31 - 12
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Lost 20 - 0
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Round 4
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Lakes
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Lost 16 - 13
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Won 11 - 4
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Won 39 - 0
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Round 5
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North
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Won 40 - 9
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Lost 45 - 9
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Lost 16 - 8
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Round 6
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Macquarie
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Lost 31 - 16
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Won 16 - 10
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Won 23 - 16
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Round 7
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Central
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Won 26 - 3
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Won 23 - 13
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Won 16 - 10
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Round 8
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South
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Won 27 - 15
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Lost 26 - 9
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Won 16 - 12
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Round 9
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Maitland
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Lost 26 - 2
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Won 25 - 18
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Won 13 - 9
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Round 10
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Waratah
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Won 25 - 17
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Won 37 - 8
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Won 41 - 5
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Round 11
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Kurri
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Won 13 - 3
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Won 17 - 5
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Won 41 - 0
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Round 12
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Cessnock
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Won 22 - 11
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Lost 22 - 2
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Won 14 - 9
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Round 13
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Lakes
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Won 31 - 11
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Won 17 - 16
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Won 21 - 4
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Round 14
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North
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Won 31 - 2
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Won 36 - 5
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Won 12 - 11
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Round 15
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Macquarie
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Lost 35 - 26
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Won 17 - 11
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Won 49 - 3
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Round 16
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Central
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Won 37 - 7
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Won 21 - 16
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Won 23 - 9
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Round 17
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South
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Lost 32 - 12
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Won 23 - 12
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Lost 21 - 10
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Round 18
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Maitland
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Lost 30 - 12
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Lost 23 - 18
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Won 27 - 8
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Semi
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South
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Won 26 - 12
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Mait Lost 24 - 17
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Mait Won 15 - 14
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Final
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Cessnock
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Lost 21 - 20
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Macq Won 11 - 9
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GRAND FINAL
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Cessnock 18 Maitland 10
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West 12 – Mait 5
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West 40 – Sth 7
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1973
Dennis Ward came to West from Manly as Captain / Coach in 1973. West had a successful year making two Grand Finals. The First Grade loss was particularly hard to take as West only lost 4 games all year. However no one would have expected this loss to be a series of Grand Final losses under West’s “unluckiest” coach ever. Ward himself had a successful year. At the end of the season he was chosen from West to represent Australia on the Kangaroo tour of England. West fielded a number of new players in 1973. These included juniors Brendan Barber, Ken Blackwell, Paul Slattery and Rob Christie as well as half back Robert “Jacky” Wright (pictured), from Cardiff, who went on to play 127 games for West. Two former Waratah players joined West – forward Mick Trypas (from Canterbury) and centre Greg Norgard (from Sth Sydney). Rangy forward, Mick Goldman, came from Rugby Union, whilst goal kicking fullback, Keith Hemsworth (221 points in 1973) joined West from Coonamble. A very good 5/8, Woy Woy junior, John Monie joined West from Cronulla. Monie went onto First Grade coaching positions at Parramatta, Wigan, Auckland and the London Broncos. Interestingly, as 2013 draws to a close, Brendan Barber still “runs on” for West each week in his position of “runner, trainer, first aid man...” for the mighty Rosellas. Quite a good innings from the West veteran!
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Pre Season
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Opponent
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Result
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Opponent
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Result
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Round 1
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Cessnock
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Won 15 - 10
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Rd 5 - Central
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Won 20 - 7
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Round 2
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Maitland
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Won 19 - 12
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Semi - Cessnock
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Lost 15 - 13
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Round 3
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Waratah
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Won 12 - 10
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P/O 3rd - South
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Won 25 - 17
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Round 4
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South
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Won 21 - 14
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Competition
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Opponent
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Result
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Reserves
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Thirds
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Round 1
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Maitland
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Won 20 - 8
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Won 24 - 20
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Won 18 - 15
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Round 2
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Lakes
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Won 27 -14
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Won 28 - 13
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Won 36 - 2
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Round 3
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Waratah
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Won 27 - 7
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Won 24 - 7
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Won 17 - 14
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Round 4
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South
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Lost 17 - 16
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Lost 20 - 19
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Won 11 - 10
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Round 5
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North
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Won 51 - 15
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Won 30 - 4
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Won 30 - 7
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Round 6
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Kurri
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Won 25 - 20
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Won 21 - 13
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Won 19 - 3
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Round 7
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Macquarie
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Won 40 - 2
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Drew 19 - 19
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Won 25 - 4
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Round 8
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Cessnock
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Won 21 - 3
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Won 15 - 14
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Won 9 - 2
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Round 9
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Central
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Won 27 - 10
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Lost 16 - 10
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Won 28 - 8
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Round 10
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Maitland
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Won 20 - 13
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Won 24 - 8
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Lost 11 - 8
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Round 11
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Lakes
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Won 11 - 10
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Won 23 - 8
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Won 20 - 7
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Round 12
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Waratah
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Lost 25 - 15
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Won 15 - 3
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Won 50 - 3
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Round 13
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South
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Won 20 - 3
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Lost 18 - 14
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Won 23 - 8
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Round 14
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North
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Won 45 - 6
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Won 33 - 13
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Lost 24 - 5
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Round 15
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Kurri
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Lost 26 - 2
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Lost 18 - 17
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Won 41 - 2
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Round 16
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Macquarie
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Won 31 - 10
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Won 43 - 3
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Won 31 - 5
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Round 17
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Cessnock
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Won 31 - 8
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Lost 15 - 12
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Won 35 - 10
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Round 18
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Central
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Won 18 - 12
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Won 16 - 0
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Won 31 - 0
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Semi
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Waratah
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Won 30 - 10
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South 21 West 12
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West 11 South 10
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Final
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Cessnock
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GRAND FINAL
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Maitland 27 West 18
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Sth 16 West 15
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1974
Dennis Ward continued as Captain Coach in 1974 – a second Grand Final for Dennis Ward, and a second loss. On this occasion West lost to Lkaes 7 – 2 in the Grand Final. Reserve Grade also lost out in the Grand Final when they were defeated 19 – 14 by Macquarie. West Juniors Greg Hamilton, Ron Bailey, Rob Darcy and Neville Freund all played their first grade games in 1974, whilst Vince Cronin (a grandson of the great “Boki” Bell), came to West. Vince was a Central Junior, but this talented winger came to West via South Newcastle. Country born prop George Skeers joined West from Sydney. On the representative front Dennis Ward, George Skeers, Greg Owen, Peter Howlett and Karl Hutchinson represented Newcastle against Great Britain. Hutchinson went on to represent Country Seconds, whilst Peter Howlett was selected in the Country side to tour New Zealand. However the highlight of the year was the Testimonial Dinner held on 31 July 1974 honouring long term President, Harry Harding, Secretary, Glen Maloney and Treasurer Jack Bell. (see below)
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Pre Season
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Opponent
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Result
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Opponent
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Result
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Round 1
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Macquarie
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Lost 14 - 11
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Rd 4 - Waratah
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Lost 10 - 4
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Round 2
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South
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Lost 18 - 3
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Rd 5 - Maitland
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Lost 14 - 13
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Round 3
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Cessnock
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Won 26 - 14
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P/O 3rd - South
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Competition
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Opponent
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Result
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Reserves
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Thirds
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Round 1
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Cessnock
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Won 28 - 22
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Won 21 - 13
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Won 14 - 3
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Round 2
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Lakes
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Won 20 - 14
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Lost 18 - 11
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Won 23 - 6
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Round 3
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Central
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Won 28 - 18
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Lost 26 - 9
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Won 19 - 2
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Round 4
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Kurri
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Won 19 - 11
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Lost 15 - 10
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Won 29 - 0
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Round 5
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Macquarie
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Lost 14 - 12
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Won 24 - 10
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Won 29 - 10
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Round 6
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North
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Won 20 - 17
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Won 14 - 6
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Won 7 - 0
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Round 7
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South
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Won 20 - 5
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Won 13 - 2
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Won 19 - 2
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Round 8
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Maitland
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Won 19 - 15
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Lost 17 - 15
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Lost 8 - 4
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Round 9
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Waratah
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Won 33 - 8
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Won 26 - 11
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Won 21 - 4
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Round 10
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Cessnock
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Won 25 - 16
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Won 20 - 8
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Won 15 - 5
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Round 11
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Lakes
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Lost 31 - 8
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Won 16 - 13
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Lost 9 - 8
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Round 12
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Central
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Drew 15 - 15
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Won 19 - 11
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Won 14 - 8
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Round 13
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Kurri
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Won 24 - 10
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Won 24 - 6
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Won 24 - 2
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Round 14
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North
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Won 32 - 23
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Won 13 - 7
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Lost 9 - 7
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Round 15
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South
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Won 12 - 5
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Won 16 - 2
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Won 13 - 6
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Round 16
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Maitland
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Won 18 - 10
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Lost 8 - 0
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Won 10 - 9
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Round 17
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Waratah
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Won 29 - 23
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Won 61 - 0
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Won 36 - 0
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Round 18
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Macquarie
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Won 26 - 15
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Won 38 - 11
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Won 18 - 0
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Semi
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Lakes
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Lost 16 - 12
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West 12 Lakes 11
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West 16 Mait 20
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Final
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Macquarie
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Won 20 - 13
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West 9 Macq 14
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GRAND FINAL
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Lakes 7 West 2
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Macq 19 West 14
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