BATHURST’S strength in junior rugby will be on show at Endeavour Oval this Saturday when Bulldogs and CSU do battle for the Central West Rugby Union colts crown.
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Not only will the teams be taking part in the day’s only derby fixture but each of the Bathurst squads go into the match with that extra bit of motivation to come away with the title.
Bulldogs are chasing their second successive undefeated season while CSU are looking to cap off a superb finals run after finishing the regular season in fifth.
Nick Peterson has captained the Bulldogs team to a stellar season, showing even after the change to an under 19s format that the blue and gold remain the team to beat.
“I think it really comes down to our defence. Anyone can really run a ball but it’s about that attitude we have in defence. There’s a lot of camaraderie between us and we really play for each other,” Peterson said.
“Our backline also has to be one of the slickest backlines in the comp. I think it’s really dangerous and we can put it to the test this weekend and it should be able to come up trumps.”
Statistics speak volumes for the Bulldogs’ efforts.
Bulldogs played 13 games in the regular season and conceded just 71 points – less than a converted try a match on average.
“We’ve been very consistent over the whole season,” Peterson said.
“At the start of the season everyone rocked up to training and it looked a bit unnatural at the start but come the weekend everyone pulled it together.
“We got a couple of convincing wins at the start and then as the season went on they kept on coming which has been really great for our confidence.
“We had to say goodbye to most of last year’s team because of the age division change but there were a few players left over like Adam Plummer, Josh Weekes, Dylan Carter and Angus Doulman. It’s gives you confidence with those players being there.”
Attempting to topple the Bulldogs is a CSU team coming into the match off a convincing 23-0 preliminary final win over the Mudgee Wombats.
CSU vice-captain Joseph Gold has enjoyed being a part of a team who are finding their form at the right time of the season.
“Bulldogs have come through undefeated so they’re definitely favourites. We tested them in a game where we lost 16-13 so we’re in with a chance,” he said.
“I think us coming from fifth to go through to the grand final shows that anything could happen.”
Gold said the team’s commitment to training has paid off in the team’s superb finals run, beating Orange City, Dubbo Kangaroos and Mudgee.
“Our coach Rob ]Danelon] has been really enthusiastic throughout the whole year. There’s been a lot of talk about getting all the guys down to training and when the whole squad’s turned up we’ve really put it together out on the field,” he said.
“Keeping Mudgee to nothing is pretty amazing from us. Our defence has really shone through in all our games.
“Bulldogs’ forwards have been pretty dominant over us. They have a lot of ball and possession and they’re always attacking so we’ve put in a lot of practice into our defence.”
Match start is 10.30am.
