For the first time in a decade, Cowra trumped Bathurst in division one of the Central West District Golf Association to start the club’s pool B campaign off on a winning note.

Kirwan and his Cowra team of Mick Curtale, Jacob Moodie, Mark Dickson and Rod McDonald knocked off the highly fancied Bathurst in last week’s opening round and, as a result, head into Sunday’s second round full of confidence.

“To beat Bathurst, it was a good upset for us. It’s the first time in 10 years we’ve beaten them,” Kirwan said.

“We always seem to get them first up, too. Our team, it’s been the same team for a number of years and most of the guys don’t golf a lot.

“To beat Bathurst is a fantastic effort.”

Cowra heads into its pool B clash on Sunday against Parkes with a very real shot at nabbing top spot after the pennants’ opening two weeks.

Bathurst has a bye thanks to hosting this round, while Forbes, also a round one winner, will have a week off as well.

Kirwan believes his Cowra side and Parkes match-up pretty evenly across the board, but with a place in the finals essentially on the line, his side will rise to the occasion.

“We’re not over confident, this match decides second place in pool B,” he said, tipping Forbes to eventually come out on top, despite No.1 John Betland now out of contention for the Lachlan giants.

“Missing John will bring them back to the field a bit, but Forbes is the team to beat.

“Bathurst is a fantastic side, too, but I think we can handle Parkes. It’ll probably come down to a putt here and there that will decide it.”

In pool A, round one winners Duntryleague face Dubbo in the top grade, while Mudgee begin its title defence against Wellington.

All match-ups are at Wentworth Golf Club in Orange.