Saturday is shaping up as a massive day for the Orange City Junior Rugby Union Lions, with three of the club’s junior sides in finals action at Pride Park.
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The Lions’ under 15s tackle Dubbo Blue in the major semi-final while City’s under 13s play Mudgee Blues in a minor semi-final at 9am, kicking off the day.
The minor premiership winning under 17s round out the card at 2.10pm with a major semi-final clash against Narromine.
Having won 12 of the 13 regular season games on the 2017 draw, the Lions’ under 17s head into the grand final qualifier supremely confident of chalking up win number 13 for the winter.
“… but not over confident,” coach Pat MacDonald was quick to interject.
“We play Narromine at Pride Park and the only time we played Narromine we beat them, but I think a couple of their best players were missing that day. We’re confident, but know it’s going to be a tough ask.”
MacDonald believes the Gorillas’ strength is through the middle of the field and at set-piece time, with Narromine’s young guns boasting a “robust forward pack”.
But the Lions coach added his side was ready for the challenge, with guns Nick Wald and Beau Westcott to lead the charge.
“We’ve worked our way into the season and improved each week, which is the aim,” MacDonald said.
“As long as they play for full 60 minutes, not switch off. We might have done that on occasion during the season and teams hit back at us then.
“We’ve got to keep the foot down. Narromine are a good enough side to take advantage if we don’t.”
The 2017 Central West Junior Rugby Union grand finals are to be staged at Endeavour Oval on Saturday, September 9.
