In the opening game, Rankin Springs were too good for a game Ivanhoe side winning by 50 points. 

In the second encounter, Barellan had to dig deep before getting the better of an improving Narrandera outfit by 18 – 16 points. 

Host club Goolgowi, after leading by 22 points to 6 over Hillston, survived a fight back by the Bluebirds in the second half, finished 32 – 20 in the closing stages. 

Rankin Springs and Goolgowi share the lead with six points a piece, followed by Barellan on four, Ivanhoe with two and Narrandera and Hilston at the back with zero points, yet to greet the judge in first place. 

With just two rounds remaining, the Dragons and Goolgowi will make the play-offs while Barellan should tie-up third position. 

Ivanhoe have fourth position and victory against Narrandera next week will see the Roosters go very close to the semi-final position. 

In the opening contest, Rankin Springs had a little too much of everything, but to their credit, Ivanhoe never gave up. 

If the Roosters can win one of their remaining two games, then a semi-final shot is theirs. 

The Dragons had a host of good players, including fullback Todd McCarter, Damien Walker, centre Kane Wilson and halfback Rhys Parsons, as well as hooker Jamie Parsons. 

In the second game, Barellan had to work very hard before taking home the two points against Narrandera, who could have been classed as very unlucky. 

The Rams were 18 points to 16 but had to fight hard for the entire 70 minutes and after a somewhat fiery first half, held a lead of 12 – 6 at the break. 

In game three, Goolgowi bounced out of the starting gates like Black Cavier against Hillston. 

After 15 minutes, they opened up a lead of 16 – 0 following tries to halfback Simon McLure, Jeremy Young and Ben McRae. At this point the Goolgowi were all over Hillston like a brand new doona and to say the Bluebirds were shocked would be an understatement. 

It looked likely a matter of how far for Goolgowi. A connected try to replacement Mitch Cooper made it 22 – zip before the Bluebirds put on their first points on the board right on the stroke of halftime. 

A big turnaround overtook the game early in the second half when Hillston picked up the pace. In the space of seven minutes, they added two tries and a goal. Firstly Nathan Douth scored, followed by Conrad McGinity and a goal to Daniel Milthorpe leaving things 22 – 16. 

Goolgowi charged back with a connected try to Mitch Cooper –  his second –  just about putting the game to bed.  

The Bluebirds did come back with winder Max Gooch touching down, but with five minutes left, the Rabbitohs cemented it when winger Adam Waide made the final score 32 – 20.