Parramatta win the Opens Div of the 2009 Nyngan Easter Challenge

Parramatta Opens & Under 15's team celebrate after winning the '09 Nyngan Easter Challenge

Penrith Panthers runners up of this years '09 Nyngan Easter Challenge

Parra Eels development sides were successful

Nyngan Easter Challenge - Most valuable Players, MVP's (L-R) - Chad Davis (Penrith), Danny Faulalo (Parramatta 15's), Nutuna Te Rangi (Parramatta Opens), Sam Atuau (Wests Opens), Ryan Almond (Cronulla 15's) and Jarrad Linton-Harland (CRL Far West Academy Opens)

Referees (L-R back row) - Peter Lupton, Trevor Waterhouse, Brad Lane, Mark Beetson, Greg Mathieson and Sean Hampstead

In their third year of participating the Parramatta Eels were crowned winners of the Straits Open Boys division at the 2009 Nyngan Easter Rugby League Challenge after finishing runners up to Newcastle for the past two years.

The Parramatta side scored in the last 5 minutes of the final to secure a 22-16 win over the Penrith Panthers.

In the ITT Flygt 15’s division, Parramatta ran out convincing winners with the CRL Far West Academy placing second.

Ten teams from across the state travelled to Nyngan to take part in the Easter Rugby League Challenge.

Parramatta and Newcastle made the trip west for the third consecutive year and were joined by newcomers Cronulla, Western Suburbs and Penrith.

On Friday evening the participating teams were welcomed by local Aboriginal elder, Kenny Lee, from the Wongaibon tribe and Bogan Shire Council Mayor Ray Donald.

Ray commented on how proud and honoured the Bogan Shire council are to be able to host this great event in the Far West of NSW.

Following the welcoming, the teams had a chance to test their bush skills participating in the Golden Tusk games.

Teams were required to cook damper, chase goats and herd sheep through a set course.

Some of the city teams showed they had some bush skills while it was obvious some had never been west of the Blue Mountains.

Western Suburbs were the winners of the games showing that they have some pretty good bush skills.

The challenge kicked off on Saturday morning with the CRL Far West Academy taking on Western Suburbs in the Straits Open Boys division.

Western Suburbs had a clear size advantage over the CRL Far West side but despite this they matched Wests in the opening 15 minutes before Wests slowly gained control of the match to run out winners 36 - 4.

The first match of the day in the Flygt 15’s division was between Parramatta and the Western Barbarians.

The Barbarians had not had a training run prior to taking to the field and stunned the Parramatta side leading 12 - 10 at half time.

The Parramatta side slowly found their rhythm and scored a couple of late tries to win 20 - 12.

A highlight of the first day was the CRL Far West Academy side defeating Cronulla in the ITT Flygt 15’s division 16 - 10 in a close and tough contest.

Sean Hampstead, NRL Official, attended the event for the second year and again assisted with the refereeing over the weekend.

Sean refereed two matches over the weekend including the final of the Straits Open Boys division between Parramatta and Penrith.

CRL Far West Academy Head Coach and event organiser was once again honoured that teams have travelled to Nyngan to participate in the 2009 event.

Col was the driving force in starting up the Challenge in 2007.

“I would like to congratulate all the teams on their performance both on and off the field over the weekend.

There was some great rugby league played over the weekend and some great moments off the field as well.”

“It was a great experience for our players in the Far West to play against some of the best junior talent from Sydney and Newcastle and it has shown the standard they need to reach.

Our Opens team may have not won a game this weekend but they never gave up while our 15’s showed that they are very talented only losing to the Parramatta side.”

“We are very pleased that Newcastle and Parramatta have travelled out for the third consecutive year while they have been joined by newcomers Penrith, Cronulla and Western Suburbs.

To have three more Sydney sides compete in this years event it shows that the event is gaining in popularity and has an excellent reputation throughout NSW.

We look forward to hosting the teams next year and extending an invitation to clubs throughout NSW.”

“An event like this would not be possible without the support of volunteers, associations and most importantly sponsors.

I would like to thank ITT Flygt and Straits for sponsoring the 15’s and Open Boys divisions as well as Country Energy for their sponsorship of the event.

The support from the Bogan Shire Council, Nyngan Senior and Junior Rugby League Committees, Far West Academy of Sport, New South Wales Rugby League and Country Rugby League has been invaluable.

Most importantly I would like to thank the Nyngan community and all the volunteers who have worked on the Challenge.”