The record rainfall in June has forced Blayney Shire Council to close the Bears’ homeground at King George Oval.

Last week the club was forced to train indoors, using the town’s Centrepoint facility as a base in the lead-up to their 34-22 loss to the high-flying Bathurst Panthers.

Not satisfied to go another week without a run on a paddock, Blayney captain-coach Dane Howarth has turned to exactly that.

They’ve this week trained on the main field at Carcoar, no more than a paddock, in a bid to secure a vital win against Mudgee on Sunday, a fixture with huge finals ramifications attached to it.

Both teams are locked on 12 points, with Mudgee currently ahead of the Bears in fifth on differential alone.

“We’ve been out to Carcoar which is already better than last week,” Howarth said.

“I think against Panthers we faded late and let things slip in the final five minutes, and that was after we did all the hard work to get back in it.

“It’s a tough trip but it’s a bloody good field to play on (at Glen Willow). It’s not to hard to prepare for a game up there.”

Howarth will make his long-awaited return from injury for the game, while damaging forward Terawhiti Cooper is improving each match after returning from suspension.

Both players are still on the youthful side of 30, but make up two of the more senior figures in the Bears line-up.

“We’ve had quite a young side this year so getting a few of us older heads should do those guys wonders,” Howarth predicted.

“I think if we play our best we can get the job done up there.”

A game Mudgee won 42-28 in back in round three, the Bears will get a shot at hitting back when they travel to Glen Willow Sportsground on Sunday to take on the Dragons from 1.45pm.