Round one of the Newcastle Hunter Women’s Rugby League Community Cup and Community Plate competitions kick off this weekend, with four matches over three days.

With some squads having been prepared for some time, while others have been hastily assembled due to a variety of circumstances, this will be the first opportunity to have a look at who’ll be contenders, who are the surprise packets, who needs a regrade and who’s booking an early Bali holiday.

Let’s take a look at the start of hostilities.

COMMUNITY CUP (B grade)

WEST WALLSEND v LAKES UNITED – Friday 10 April, 6.20pm, Les Wakeman Oval

Westy hosts the competition opener on a Friday night under lights against last season’s premiers, Lakes United.

It will be the power game through the middle of the home side up against the speed in the outside backs of Lakes United.

The Seagulls have only just confirmed their participation in the competition the previous Wednesday after having insufficient registration numbers, until a push from players driven by coach Greg Hayes got a side over the line at the eleventh hour.

On the other hand, West Wallsend performed strongly in the Berkeley Vale 9s and overpowered Wallsend Maryland two weeks ago in a one-sided affair.

Westy have made some very astute recruitment under coach Phil Hure and will be up for this one. 

• TD’S TIP – WESTY: Heart says the Seagulls in this one, but the Magpies’ form line and preparation have been better and, given the home ground advantage, I’ll tip Westy to sneak home in a tight affair, provided Lakes United don’t play Milleen Group players in the contest.

CESSNOCK v STOCKTON – Saturday 11 April, noon, Cessnock Sportsground

Six months on from the grand final… and the rematch lands very differently.

Cessnock rolls in with a new coach, a younger roster and the reality of an off-season that saw a number of key players move on in search of new opportunities.

It’s a reset job for the Goannas — and round one shapes as a genuine early test of where they’re really at.

Stockton, on the other hand, has circled this one.

Early into pre-season, specialist coaches brought in, continuity in key positions and targeted recruitment — the Sharkies have approached 2026 with intent.

Internally, there’s pressure on spots, and that’s exactly where they want to be.

Their only trial against Hinton was messy, but they fielded a lower-strength side and got what they needed out of it.

Cessnock was also beaten in its hit-out against a Coast outfit, so both sides come in without dominant form — but with very different trajectories.

This one won’t be about what happened last year. It’ll be about who has done the work since.

• TD’S TIP – STOCKTON: While not completely writing off the Goannas, Stockton looks the more advanced outfit right now. They’ve built for this, they’ve waited six months for it, and across the park they simply have more strike. Cessnock’s best chance of points against the Sharks is on the edge but they must go through the front door first before going around the side gate. But Sharks should get the cash in this one.

CARDIFF v WALLSEND MARYLAND – Saturday 11 April, 3pm, Cardiff Oval

This looms as an interesting occasion.

Cardiff was a moral to make the Plate decider last season and went out the back door in straight sets.

In 2025, the majority of the Tigers were being mercy-ruled in the under-18 competition. It’s hard to know what to make of this one, and I believe that styles make fights, and in this detail lies the key.

• TD’S TIP – CARDIFF: If they play tough, mean and walk the fine line like they did in previous seasons, they should get the cash — especially if the Tigers try to come through the front door. If the Tigers try to go around them, get out of dummy half at the slower retreating Cobras defensive line and turn them around with a long kicking game, they have a puncher’s chance.

NELSON BAY v DUDLEY – Sunday 12 April, 1pm, Fingal Bay Oval

The Bandits are at home to Dudley and, by all reports, this is not the Magpies outfit of old.

Nelson Bay is well-coached, however short on size and experience, while Dudley is more battle-hardened and has been working hard in the off-season under a new coaching staff.

This will be the Bandits’ first hit-out in Cup football, and most people with a double-digit IQ in football will relent that this was a move made prematurely by a system that has set them up to fail.

• TD’S TIP – MAGPIES: Magpies are definitely favourites in this one.

COMMUNITY PLATE (C grade)

WARATAH v RAYMOND TERRACE – Saturday 11 April, 11.50am, Waratah Oval

Based off their performance in the Lifestyle Performance Cup, on and off the field, Waratah in this one.

WINDALE v HINTON – Saturday 11 April, 1.30pm, Mick Bird Oval

Hinton by as many as they can. Hornets $1.01.

THORNTON BERESFIELD v KARUAH – Saturday 11 April, 1.30pm, Somerset Park

Bears to roar at home in a tight contest. Survival of the fittest.

For more sports stories:

• Newcastle’s premier league competition returns with a bang in 2026
• Newcastle distance star Hull gunning for rare nationals’ trifecta
• Newcastle Seahorses to make waves in AFL Hunter Central Coast

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