The closest tally count the award has had for some years, that's how the battle for player of the year honours in the Oilsplus South West Rugby Union competition has been described.
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The running count for the award has now gone behind closed doors before the winner is announced on grand final day.
Almost 70 players have polled votes in the South-West Division of the awards and there remains six players capable of taking home the crown including Cootamundra's Daryl Hemopo.
In no particular order the front-runners for the South West award are Harden's Tom Lenehan, Temora's Jake Cartwright, West Wyalong's Nigel Duncan, Boorowra's Brendan McGrath, Condobolin's Josh Hudson and Cootamundra's Daryl Hemopo.
The spread of clubs represented at the top end of the award is testament to the level of play across the competion.
The Tri Colours are on the road this weekend when they travel to Condobolin to take on the Rams in an effort to go through the preliminary rounds undefeated.
Last weekend the Tri Colours kept their unbeaten record intact by defeating the Boorowa Goldies 52-7.
At the same time Condobolin pushed the second placed Harden Red Devils eventually going down 33-28 in a match played in Harden.
They are certain to be a stronger opponent on their home ground meaning the Tri Colours will have to beware of complacency when the two sides meet on Saturday.
In other matches last weekend Temora 39 defeated Grenfell 24 and the Young Yabbies 36 defeated West Wyalong Weevils 12.
While Condo is hosting Coota this weekend the Red Devils will enjoy a bye, Grenfell plays host to Harden, West Wyalong will host Boorowa and the Young Yabbies are at home to Temora.
Ladies best and fairest
A Westfund Ferguson Cup's award, has been established this year for the women's rugby competition.
Emus, Central West, NSW Country and ACT Brumbies halfback Em McDonald has pushed her way into contention for that award, along with CSU's Rachel Brown, Temora's Nikki Jordan and West Wyalong duo Krystal Fyfe and Kenesha Stevens.
The Cootamundra women's side is down to play Temora at home this weekend in a match starting at 2.15pm.
The women were big winners last weekend for the Tri Colours ladies day, going on a try scoring spree to record a 86-0 win over the Harden Red Devils.
The Coota women's side currently sits in ninth position in the 15 team competition, that covers much of the central and south west, on 29 competition points.
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