Herding of the Bulls

Molong Bulls Rugby League Football Club held an old boys reunion last Saturday night - and still managed to overcome Eugowra 46-16 the next day in its final game for the year.

The Bulls re-formed in 2019 due to the enthusiasm and hard work by Jenny Barrow, her late husband Dave and sons and many other supporters keen to get the club going again.

Jenny led the club as President for the next five years.

From Brian Gersbach

Brian was a long time President of the club. He sent the following historical words for the reunion

I first got involved in the Molong Club around 1975. John Mann was coach that year and Molong could not compete with clubs that seemed to have a lot of money. We decided to compete. We needed to find sponsors to help us to raise funds to be competitive.

The Telegraph and Freemasons Hotels came on board and the Molong Bowling Club and RSL also promised support.

We were lucky to sign Noel Hurford and Keith Conroy as 1st and Reserve Grade Coaches.

Once we got these two popular coaches, players came to our club especially after we introduced a points system where players were awarded points for games they participated in. The top seventeen were given an all expenses paid tour of New Zealand where they played Ricarton R.L. Club. These trips in 1977 and 1978 Molong won both of these games against Ricarton.

In 1978 Molong won both the 1st game and Reserve grade Grand Finals against Warren and Tullamore at Tullamore.

Molong continued to play for many more years and although they were very competitive they had to wait until 1999 before they won their next Grand Final.

They were coached by Anthony Thorncraft and they defeated Boorowa in the Woodbridge Cup 2nd Division Cup.

Back in the year 1948 Molong defeated a very strong Cumnock Team by 4 points to 3.

Molong kicked two penalty goals and Cumnock scored one unconverted try.

Just a bit of trivia, the Molong Club had a home against arch rivals Warren in 1978. The Players who had won the 1948 Grand Final were invited to attend and be reintroduced to the large crowd. Strangely Molong beat Warren that day 19 to 48 (1948 team).

I was President and committeeman for more years than I can remember and lucky enough to be President in all of the Grand Finals they won - including a Reserve Grade one when they beat Trangie and were coached by Mick Lee.

I worked with some great committee members over the years and they were all fantastic and obliging people. But the efforts that Ann Wright put into the Secretary's job was unbelievable.

Ann and Andy (Wright) were made Life Members of the Club as thank you gesture for all Ann and Andy had contributed for us over many, many years.

But the club has a long history. We found a reference to it in a Molong Express of the late 1890’s.

Jenny (Right) could not be there on Saturday (had an ‘op’) but we will talk to her next week.

Meanwhile we feature a few old boy snaps and pix from the great night.

Mary-Ellen Betts (R) was a force behind the organisation of the reunion. Well supported by other committee members and supporters.

(Below) New Bulls President Kevin Betts acknowledges the contribution (including as Treasurer) over some 50 years of Ann Wright

Letter

On Saturday night I had the pleasure of attending the League dinner and reunion at the RSL

To my total suprise I was presented with Life Membership of the club. I want to apologise to the committee for not responding as I was just speechless and I knew I would cry. I am very honoured to have been awarded this.

I was Club Secretary for 10yrs and on the committee numerous other years. Personally, you do these jobs not for recognition but to support your kids and the sport they love and to keep sport in small towns alive.

Thank you so very much to the present committee for this recognition and the success of such a great night.

Forever a Bull

Muffy

Gersbach

(L) Adam Gersbach, whose Shed business was a major sponsor toasts other club revivers including the