Three weeks without any action is not the sort of preparation Bathurst Bulldogs co-coach Brian Roberson wanted as his side looks towards the Blowes Clothing Cup finals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Yet after Narromine was forced to forfeit Saturday’s women’s, colts, second grade and first grade fixtures against Bulldogs due to a lack of numbers, Roberson could not help but feel sorry for the Gorillas.
“Narromine are doing it tough with numbers, they only had 17 players available for the day across all grades.
“It is unfortunate for Narromine and I empathise with them, we need to look at the changing the competition structure next year to help these guys out.”
Roberson said a working party is currently looking at possible changes for the 2017 Central West Rugby Union competition, but what he would like to see is a three-tiered approach.
He feels that would ease the pressure on some of the clubs who have struggled to field teams across all grades.
“I think we need to look at helping out the Dubbo Rhinos and the Narromines, fielding four grades is tough for them,” Roberson said.
“Narromine have been a really good club for a very, very long time and will continue to be as long as they can get in the appropriate competition for next year.”
Narromine have the bye next weekend.
Meanwhile for the rest of the Central West Rugby Union (CWRU) competition; player shortages, bizarre walkoffs and huge scorelines have marred the Blowes Clothing Cup at the weekend, leaving officials with a lot of work to do.
Only three first grade games were completed, with weather and forfeits combining to ensure the closest match of the round was Forbes’ 41-5 victory over a gallant Dubbo Rhinos at Caltex Park.
In an unprecedented day for the code in the region:
- Narromine forfeited all four grades to Bathurst Bulldogs.
- Cowra’s trip to CSU Bathurst was called off due to ground closures in Bathurst.
- Parkes had players walk off the field as their match with Orange Emus was called off at 89-0 with 10 minutes remaining, and;
- Mudgee could muster just two tries across four grades against Dubbo Kangaroos, with the first grade match ended in a 76-5 scoreline.
CWRU president Frank Newman admits there are issues that need to be solved quickly as the competition’s finals series approaches.
