Central West's quest to reclaim their mantle as the queens of NSW Country Rugby Union begins at Armidale this weekend, where the Blue Bulls will try to take back their Women's Sevens Championship crown.
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Central West won the inaugural sevens championship back in 2017 but in last year's title defence at Warren they were sent packing in the semi-final by a powerful Mid North Coast outfit, a side that played with gay abandon to end the Blue Bull's back-to-back dream.
There's been no secret made of Central West's desire for redemption since that loss and that was a big factor in the group touring New Zealand earlier this month, even if that trip was geared more towards the XV-a-side tournament.
Considering a number of the region's out-and-out stars aren't available this weekend the side's coaches Greg Horton and Tristan Buttenshaw are reaping the rewards of that tour now too, being able to call up several who have that experience under their belt.
One of those is boom Orange Emus recruit Sarah Archer, a member of the inaugural Australian Police side last year, who will make her sevens championship debut this weekend after seriously impressing in New Zealand.
"[The New Zealand tour] was an awesome experience. I'm still learning, so it was great to get that chance and experience, and get to know the girls a bit," Archer, who played rugby league last year and had a run with Bathurst Bulldogs the season prior, said.
"That excitement and motivation is rolling through to this weekend. It's my first real crack at sevens, I didn't play (at Warren) last year so there is some nerves, but it's exciting and it'll be another good experience."
Archer says the fact her side is devoid of players like West Wyalong superstar Sharnah Stevens isn't taking away from their confidence, with a red-hot group travelling to Armidale anyway.
Kenesha Stevens will skipper the side, that also includes the likes of Temora's Roxy Dougall, Mudgee's Helen Limn and Harriet Messner and Bulldogs' gun centre Nicole Schneider.
Central West will take on the President's VII, New England and then the reigning champions Hunter in Saturday's pool stage, with Mid North Coast, Central North, Central Coast and Western Plains in the other group.
The top two from each pool progress to Sunday's championship finals, with the remaining teams being resigned to the minor play-offs.
"We'll just go out and give it our best," Archer said.
There's more representative jerseys on the line too, with the championships a feeder program for the University of New England's AON Uni 7s pathway.
The XV-a-side championship will be played alongside the men's Caldwell Cup and Richardson Shield tournaments, and the colts Rowland Cup competition, on the June long weekend.
- CENTRAL WEST: Kenesha Stevens (c), Bec Ball, Krystal Fyfe (West Wyalong Redbacks), Roxy Dougall, Amie Fazekas, Nicky Jordan (Temora Tuskers), Helen Limn, Harriet Messner (Mudgee Wombats), Sarah Archer (Orange Emus), Brooke Williams (Dubbo Rhinos), Nicole Schneider (Bathurst Bulldogs)
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