FOR the Udy brothers, rugby really is a family affair.
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After leaving Orange Emus following the 2009 season Shane, Mark and Scott Udy have all returned to don the green jersey in 2014.
Shane, the eldest, has been a regular in Emus’ top grade team this season while Mark and Scott answered second grade coach Mitch Dansey’s SOS for last weekend’s clash with Cowra, to ease the team’s player shortage.
“Shane had been pestering us to come back and play for a while, and we finally caved,” Scott laughed.
Shane will line up in Emus’ top grade side when the greens host the Mudgee Wombats in Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup clash, while Mark and Scott will both don second XV jerseys.
“We’ve all played with each other at some stage,” Scott said.
“But never all three of us together on the same paddock, at the same time,” Mark added.
“That would be a highlight.”
“It’s great to be back at Emus. There is a different feel, and different culture surrounding the club compared to the last time I was here. It’s very inclusive, and everyone is working for everyone else. There’s a lot of talented youth around the club, and they’re getting their chance. I think Andrew Logan [Emus coach] has had a huge impact.”
The trio all cut their teeth in the Emus junior ranks and graduated to greens dominant colts teams of the early, mid and late noughties before going their separate ways.
Shane, 29, a former NSW and Australian schoolboy representative, played several years in the Eastwood Rugby Club Shute Shield team while Scott, 23, who also represented NSW at the schoolboy level, had a stint in West Harbour colts first XV. Mark, 27, was a mainstay in Central West representative teams until he walked away from the game, and many suggest he had the potential to the be the best of the trio.
With last week’s 25-3 win over Cowra, Emus sit outright third on the top grade ladder and Shane said Saturday’s clash with the Wombats presents a chance to solidify their top three spot.
“Muscling up as piggies and continuing the forward momentum we’ve gained in the last few games is key for us,” he said.
“With the talent we have in our backline, if we can create space for them they will score a lot of points.”
Emus host Mudgee at Endeavour Oval, with first grade kicking off at 3.15pm.
ORANGE EMUS: 1 Brandon Akerstrom, 2 Keith Howarth, 3 Brent Braithwaite, 4 Sam McLean 5 Tom Fenuelelei, 6 Andrew Cosgrove, 7 Shane Udy, 8 Rob Thorburn, 9 TJ Cunynghame, 10 Adam Perri, 11 Tom Green, 12 Tim Alison, 13 Nigel Staniforth (c), 14 Carter Hirini, 15 Sam Ryan.
