BATHURST Bulldog Kurt Weekes might joke that he hopes Saturday’s match against Blowes Clothing Cup rivals Orange City does not come down to an attempt at goal, but it would be hard to bet against the scrumhalf being on target if it does.
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When the two sides last met at Ashwood Park in an elimination semi-final last year, a Weekes penalty goal right on full-time sent the match into extra-time. His side went on to win 39-34.
That was after Bulldogs had trailed 27-0.
Although Weekes remembers the injury time penalty goal attempt he missed that would have seen no need for extra-time, he finished with a try, a conversion and four successful penalty goal kicks to his credit.
“It was probably one of the best games I have been involved with since I’ve been with the club, especially versing Orange City. We will be looking to do the same thing on the weekend, but if doesn’t go for that long it would be a good thing,” Weekes said.
"At one point you definitely thought it’s going to take a lot of guts to comeback, but we all stuck together and came through and ended up scoring the tries. As we scored them, we believed it could happen.
“We played the full extra 10 minutes, five each way, before Adam Plummer scored the try that got us home. I kicked a few, but the kick in the last 30 seconds [injury time] to win the game was too much pressure.
“I hope it doesn’t come down to any kicks this weekend,” he added with a laugh.
Bulldogs head into this Saturday’s match at Ashwood Park undefeated, having scored 113 points and conceded just 10 in the opening two rounds.
City sits in sixth spot, the Lions having beaten Cowra 38-10 in their season opener before a 45-12 loss to Dubbo Kangaroos a fortnight ago.
Still, with locks Izaac Breen and Olly Barclay out due to injury this Saturday and Bulldogs’ remarkable comeback victory the first time they had beaten the Lions since the 2010 preliminary final, Weekes is expecting a tough contest.
“Usually Orange City, games against them always seem to be close and that rivalry is there. You definitely want to show the other team that you’re better and stronger, so it should be a good weekend,” he said.
“We’ll be looking to continue our form after the week off … it is definitely better to stay up near the pointy end at the start of the season, it makes your run into the finals later on a bit easier.”
Kick-off in Saturday’s match at Ashwood Park is at 3.20pm.