Dubbo CYMS, Wellington Cowboys ... daylight the rest?
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It seems that way right now in the race for the 2019 Group 11 premiership, which can only mean this weekend's CYMS-Cowboys clash at Wellington will be a massive one in terms of the overall scheme of things.
But that's round eight, and this list is all about the split round - round seven.
Wins to Parkes, CYMS and Wellington firm their places in the top three, while the rest of the sides are up and down.
- NOTE: This week's rankings don't include Forbes' round eight win over the Tigers at Nyngan.
1. Dubbo CYMS (last week: 1)
After cracking the ton on Sunday there's no movement at the pointy end of the rankings, CYMS maintains top spot.
Huge game this weekend though, with the Fishies to travel to Wellington in a one-versus-two clash at the Graveyard. Group 11 footy will be jumping down the highway on Saturday.
2. Wellington Cowboys (last week: 2)
Narromine posed a tricky assignment for the Cowboys this round, and Justin Toomey-White's men rose to the task in style.
CJ Ralph, Josh Griffiths and Stephen Gordon all scored doubles as the Cowboys ran in 46 points but, far more impressively, the Wellington boys kept the Jets scoreless.
Lost their first two games of the season by a combined three points and are now on a five-game winning streak - a win over the Fishies on Saturday will see them top this list.
3. Parkes Spacemen (last week: 5)
Super impressive in their annual derby with Forbes on the June long weekend - seems like an age ago but it was a round seven game.
Sans Sam Dwyer and with Brandon Tago only just back from injury, the Spacies delivered big time in front of a record regular season crowd for Group 11.
CHECK OUT THE GROUP 11 LADDER AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE SPLIT ROUND 7:
4. Macquarie Raiders (last week: 7)
Really hard to get a read on Wes Middleton's men at the turning point of the season but with two wins and two draws from the opening seven rounds they land smack-bang in the middle of these rankings.
They've somehow managed to keep touch with a congested bottom half of the top five and taking points out of their clash with Nyngan (10-all at Larkin Oval) is a big plus for the Raiders.
If Middleton can play the bulk of the second half of the season then Macquarie is a finals chance.
5. Narromine Jets (last week: 3)
It's a wicked game of snakes and ladders, this rugby league business, and after a high of three last week the Jets dip this week on the back of a tough trip to Wellington.
A 46-0 shut-out loss is no doubt a disappointing one for Hill and his men but they maintain a higher rung on the ladder than the premiers, Forbes, based on
6. Forbes Magpies (last week: 6)
No Jordan Hartwig, now no Mitch Burke ... Cameron Greenhalgh's halves options are running out, quickly too.
The Magpies were right in their clash with the Spacemen at Parkes but dropped the ball, so to speak, with the game in the balance.
It's the third game the premiers have dropped in similar circumstances, following earlier season losses to Nyngan and Dubbo CYMS on home soil when in front in the second half.
Need some wins, and soon too.
7. Nyngan Tigers (last week: 4)
Dead set, what's happened to the Tigers?
Unstoppable early in the season to now just downright ordinary, if the Rabbitohs weren't being pummeled every week there's a big chance Nyngan would be last on this list.
Justin Carney has been out for a while and the Tigers haven't had a win in over a month. They need their skipper back fast, or Macquarie is a big shout of usurping the Tigers in the race for fifth position.
8. Dubbo Westside (last week: 8)
Tough one for the Bunnies against CYMS last Sunday - 136 more points in the negative column and none in the positive.
I know the club's not looking at wins and losses in 2019, but that one hard to hurt. A lot.
Fingers crossed for some serious improvement.