In a remarkable turnaround, Central West’s Under 20 side will head to next weekend’s NSW Country Colts Championship as a genuine title contender - a prospect thought almost impossible after a dismal showing at the initial trials.
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Just 14 potential players fronted at the original Baby Bulls trial, leading to fears Central West would struggle to field a competitive Colts side in 2015.
However a strong showing at the Orange City 10s, thumping trial wins in Wollongong several weeks ago and the release of the final blockbuster squad yesterday have put any fears to bed.
As a result, instead of being potential also-rans, the Baby Bulls will head to Bowral hell bent on securing a second consecutive Rowlands Cup.
“We’re very, very strong,” Central West Colts Scott Hatch said.
“There is some pressure there (having won in 2014), but I’m sure we’ve got the right squad to go down there and perform.
“Our backline (is our strength). I don’t want to take away from our forward pack, there’s power there, but our backline is schmick.”
The 25-strong Central West Colts squad boasts three current NSW Country representatives in Orange City duo Logan Brockmann and Tom Fisher, along with Parkes’ Riley Byrne.
They will be joined by nine Bathurst Bulldogs, five CSU Bathurst Mitchell Men, two Orange Emus, a Mudgee Wombat, a Dubbo Kangaroo and a third Lion in Harry Taberner.
Yeoval’s Josh Lees is the only non-Blowes Clothing Cup player to be selected.
Hatch said with plenty of experience, and a number of club combinations already in place, his side is in good stead for an all out assault on the top tier under 20 competition.
Even if the Baby Bulls do have to play perennial heavyweights Newcastle-Hunter in the opening round.
“Obviously I think we are the strongest side going into it, we’re ranked one, but from what I’ve heard we’ll also have the toughest game first up,” Hatch said.
“But we’ve prepared well ... we’ve focused mainly on our structures, and putting the club partnerships and combinations into play here.”
CENTRAL WEST COLTS: 1 Scott Howe (Bathurst Bulldogs), 2 Jock Grant (Bulldogs), 3 Marcus Burrell (CSU Bathurst), 4 Logan Brockmann (Orange City), 5 Travis Gibson (Bulldogs), 6 Jayden Norris (Orange Emus), 7 Brendan Nelson (Bulldogs), 8 Kadison Campion (CSU), 9 Harry Taberner (Orange City), 10 Adam Miles (Bulldogs), 11 Jake Roberts (Emus), 12 Riley Byrne (Parkes), 13 Nathan Orr (Mudgee), 14 Adam Plummer (Bulldogs), 15 Tom Fisher (Orange City), 16 Joel Harper (Bulldogs), 17 Angus Dunn (Mudgee), 18 Dylan Carter (Bulldogs), 19 Jaymen Carter (Bulldogs), 20 Jim Connors (CSU), 21 Charlie McIntosh (CSU), 22 George Storrier (CSU), 23 Jayden Brown (Emus), 24 Josh Robertson (Dubbo Kangaroos), 25 Josh Lees (Yeoval).
