DON’T be fooled by their friendly demeanour, and friendships off the field, Orange City and Orange Emus’ under 13 sides have shown this year the cross-town rivalry is just as fierce in junior rugby as it in the senior grades.
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It will come to the fore again on Saturday as the two sides clash in the Central West Junior Rugby Union under 13 preliminary final, at Wellington.
The winner will earn a spot in this year’s grand final, against Dubbo Kangaroos Blue, while the loser will be eliminated, and gift their opponent 12 months bragging rights.
“The boys love playing against Emus, and I know the Emus guys love playing City,” Lions coach Tim West, who was a part of the last Blowes Clothing Cup first grade local derby grand final in 1991, said.
“There’s a good, healthy rivalry, it’s a friendly rivalry because so many of the boys play together in school sides and what not, so there’s always a bit of banter during the week.
“Until they get on to the field anyway.”
Orange City heads into the game on the back of a 52-5 trouncing at the hands of Dubbo in last weekend’s major semi-final, while the greens earned a hard-fought 20-17 victory over Mudgee.
Emus coach Tim Ritchie said he was confident his battle-hardened side could continue its form from last week’s victory.
“They’re all pretty pumped, a lot of these kids had never played semi-finals before this year so they’re all pretty keen,” he said.
“We had a really good hit out last weekend against Mudgee in the minor semi-final.
“I think for us it’s really a matter of holding on to the ball in attack.”
West said his troops were desperate to redeem themselves after last week’s heavy loss, and couldn’t think of a better opponent to do it against than the greens.
“It’s just a pity we haven’t been able to train, it’s been so wet,” West laughed.
“But they are really looking forward to it.
“And now Tim’s stolen my thunder, because holding on to it is our problem too in terms of retention.”
Saturday’s under 13 preliminary final kicks off at 9.30am, at Wellington’s Kennard Park, home of the Redbacks.