Sport
5 June, 2025
Golden double at Larkin Oval
The sun shone on Nyngan last weekend, bringing with it a Larkin Oval double – with both the Bogan Bulls Rugby Union and the Nyngan Tigers Rugby League celebrating special at home victories.
There’s little doubt the Bogan shire rides on the fortunes of its sporting teams and there’s no better tonic than a Bull-Tiger home game roar.
On Saturday, May 31, a grand-final sized crowd turned out to see the Bogan Bulls men’s side defeat arch rivals Warren to put themselves at the top of the Western Plains ladder and also reclaim the Moxham Beach trophy.
Earlier in the day the Bulls’ women’s team won its first game of the season. On Sunday, June 1, Larkin Oval turned black and orange as the Tigers almost got a clean sweep over the Orange Ha-wks, a sweet moment in a season already plagued by injury.
Bogan Shire Council’s mayor Glen Neill believes the whole community lifts when the local footy sides go well – and as president of the Tigers he has fought hard to ensure the club continues to punch above its weight in the Peter McDonald Premiership competition.
Nyngan population 2000, is the smallest town in the competition, with the furthest to travel.
“There’s been a lot of challenges for Nyngan but at the end of the day if we gave it away, we’d go backwards,” he said. “We could take a step back into the smaller Castlereagh League, but the town loves the stronger competition, even if we have to come up against bigger, more wealthy sides. “As long as we can keep people playing, we will fight to stay where we are.”
“I love nothing better than going somewhere like Dubbo and seeing all the people getting around in black and gold to support Nyngan. Wherever we go, we have terrific support.”
Mayor Neill said the recent investment into the facilities at Larkin Oval had turned it into a top-class venue, and he often received compliments from visitors. Over the past five years the ground has received new lighting towers, male and female change rooms, an upgraded canteen and an extra amenities block. President of the Bogan Bulls, Josh Lister said the football provided people with a social opportunity which fostered connection. “The turn out on Saturday was unbelievable, with the crowd numbers as high as what I’d only seen at a home final before,” he said.
The feeling around the club this year is great with a such a good group of people in both the girls’ tri tag and the blokes’ team and that shows in the wonderful support shown so far.”
“It’s great to see both clubs winning on the weekend – both the Tigers and the Bulls have incredible supporters and it’s always great to see people coming together on the sidelines,’ he said.
Both clubs have a bye this week and the following weekend there will be another home double to look forward to.
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