The reigning champions are one points clear of second-placed Barnstoneworth United and four ahead of their club-mates Barnstoneworth FC on 36 points, with a mouth-watering first versus second clash after the competition's general bye this weekend.

Tahs skipper Ryan Sinclair said the young Ex-Services side stuck with them for the first 25 minutes of their clash, and said they would be a side to watch if they could keep their juniors together over the coming years.

"They're a good little side, they kept up with us and we were probably a bit complacent," he said of the start.

However, braces to Jack Sinclair and the evergreen Craig Sugden helped the blues push for the result they wanted, backing up an 8-0 result from last weekend's catch-up game from round one - although that result is yet to be added to the competition's ladder.

Sinclair said he was looking forward to clashing with the Barnies' side, who were the "biggest challenge" his side had come up against this year.

"We've just got to make sure we take our chances, we've been creating a lot of chances but haven't been finishing as well as last year," he said.

"Although it looks like we're scoring well we could be winning games by a lot more, and against a really top team like Barnies we know we need to make the most of them."

Barnstoneworth United come into that clash after a 1-1 draw with fourth-placed Cowra Eagles.

Down on a few troops because of injuries, United made a great recovery to snatch the draw after failing behind early in the game.

The game was full of controversy with the referee left to officiate without any linesmen.

Leading talisman Mitch Jacobs was able to latch onto the ball to calmly place the shot past an advancing keeper, who only minutes earlier had made a triple save from close range to the amazement of the crowd.

The intensity throughout the game boiled over when a scuffle resulted in the dismissal of Jacobs and the Cowra keeper.

After a few weeks of scoring at will it was a great hit out for the United team who face the other two teams in the top four in their next two matches.

Barnstoneworth FC notched a convincing 5-0 win over Waratahs United.

Two goals each from Jack McGregor and Josh Summerson delivered the win, with Ben Giumelli bringing up the tally.

FC's manager Brendon Manning was delighted with the result.

"All our players were outstanding and was a complete team effort," Brendon Manning said.

"It was a good game to watch from the bench. Our team have come a long way and looking strong ahead of the finals."

"It was particularly good to see a great display of skilled passing on Saturday against a determined defensive side like Waratahs. The goals were crackers, and we're pretty confident we can make the top two and go through to the grand final.

"We know we have to take it a game at a time."

Club-mates Barnies Saints got off to good start when a header from Max Herft popped over the keeper's head to open the scoring in their match against Millthorpe Tigers on Saturday.

Manager Ash Honeysett said it was a "good even and competitive game".

"We first took the lead thanks to Max Herft's header but unfortunately a few mistakes were costly, and the game ended in a 3-1 loss."

Meanwhile, in B-grade with Kinross sides enjoying a break, the match of the round was a club derby between the two Barnstoneworth sides in 2nd the 3rd place.

After a goaless first half on Sunday, 2nd-placed Rangers hit the front ten minutes into the second period.

Midfielder Brad Fuda drew the defence in the box before a neat pass, found Fabian Leonard unmarked to score.

Barnies Beyond Blue built momentum with a series of attacking raids. A goal mouth scramble was cleared by Rangers defenders, only to find winger Adam Radburn in space to fire an unbeatable shot past keeper Luke Bingham.

Neither side could finish their chances as the game swung to either end. The game finishing with a 1-1 draw.

It was a top-of-the table clash in C-Grade as 1st-placed Barnstoneworth United faced a determined Waratahs Wanderers side, keen to move up from of 2nd spot.

After playing a deferred game mid-week, Barnies United were facing their third match in 8 days and with five players out with injury, it was always going to be an uphill battle.

Tahs were in front 1-0 at half-time before the floodgates opened.

Tahs striker Matt Duffy delivered four unanswered goals, against a United side that were down to only ten players at the final whistle.

Stalwart improvers, Brighouse faced a tough match against Blayney on Saturday at Sir Jack Brabham Park.

Manager Murray McCloskey said it was tough to come-back after Brighouse "conceded three first half goals in quick succession."

"The side settled in the second half but with a much tighter defensive effort", McCloskey said.

"In the second half, Blayney were held out but scored again to go to full time with a 4-0 win."