RUGBY UNION
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THIRD place, and two bites at the cherry come finals time.
It’s a big carrot, and it’s exactly what Orange City and Orange Emus will fight it out for in Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup third grade match-up at Endeavour Oval.
“We’re two points in front of Emus at the moment, so if we win we stay in third and if they win they move up,” Lions coach Joe Blunt said.
“Plus, [the qualifying] final will be at Emus and the [elimination] will be at either Dubbo, Mudgee or Bathurst (based on first grade’s final standings) and we don’t really want to travel for that one.”
Blunt admitted his side has struggled at times, like most clubs’ third grade teams, to get players to training and on the paddock.
But, with the finals looming, he said his side will be at full strength on Saturday.
“Everything is coming together a bit now which is good ... especially against a side like Emus,” he said.
Blunt highlighted Emus’ experience, and “hardness” as their biggest attributes, and said his side is praying Mother Nature does them some favours by holding off the forecast downpour until after the game.
“That won’t help us at all,” Blunt laughed.
“There is a lot of experience in Emus’ pack, guys like Stu Brisbane, so we need to match up there. I think it’ll come down to whoever wins the battle up front.
“We’ve got quick backs, so we want to be able to use them. Even if it’s wet we’ll back ourselves to throw it around anyway, and play that wider sort of style.”
Third grade kicks off at 12.50pm.