While the club is confident of being “very, very competitive” and pushing towards the top of the ladder, being part of the Central West Rugby Union’s second tier does have it’s challenges.

Each side in the second tier has to field two senior sides, something the Gorillas haven’t had to do for a number of years having been playing in the Graincorp Cup in recent times.

RELATED:

 – Narromine’s Billy Browning part of Rugby Australia’s new ‘Part of More’ campaign

The fact so many players and club members are involved with farming, something most country sports clubs have to deal with, can also make things difficult.

“From the start we’ve made it clear two teams is going to be a struggle,” Narromine Gorillas’ Billy Browning said, this first round being played this coming weekend.

“And with sowing just around the corner we still can’t commit to fielding two teams every week but we haven’t lost many players at all.

“We are looking forward to getting out there and having a run.”

Much is expected of the Gorillas this season after their undefeated run to the title in last year’s Graincorp Cup North competition.

“We reckon we’ll be up there,” Browning said. “We’ve had a good routine going now in our pre-season.”

Narromine opens its season this Saturday with a trip to Mudgee to take on the Wombats.

Elsewhere, Parkes hosts the Dubbo Rhinos and Blayney takes on CSU.