BRING BACK THE BATTIES
We know it's only a short-term thing, and the the word 'unknown' is being bandied about pretty readily when talking about the 2020 Central West Rugby Union's premiership races.
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But surely a quick regrade is in order.
Mudgee has lapped most of its opponents in the New Holland Agriculture Cup, the CWRU's second tier, this winter.
A last-start 74-5 hammering of the reigning champs, CSU Bathurst, an indication of how strong the mighty Batties are, Corin Smith bagging four tries in that big win, too.
Players from Narromine and Parkes have also lauded the Mudgee side after their own clashes with the Batties in the first round.
With that sort of form on the board, and backing, Mudgee wouldn't look out of place in the top tier again.
Perhaps if the Wombats can keep a few of the boys that have again transformed them into a Central West powerhouse, then a jump up to the Blowes Clothing Cup could be in order again.
Really, who knows what the competition will look like in 2021.
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HIS FATHER WAS A MUDDER, HIS MOTHER WAS A MUDDER
It's becoming increasingly clear that if you want to win this year's title, you're going to have to do so in the mud.
Emus remain the only unbeaten side in the 2020 Blowes Clothing Cup race and with just one away trip left on their schedule (a game in Dubbo) it'd take a brave man to tip Emus to finish anywhere other than on top.
So, that means week one, at Endeavour Oval, in the mud.
Winning in Orange is tough enough. Doing so while also battling the elements will amplify that task tenfold.
Oh, and the second sloppiest ground in the region? Yep, up at Pride Park. It's only taken a few months of rain for the rugby grounds in town to turn to mush ... and it'll make travelling here all the more difficult.
THIRD IS THE GOAL
With the above in mind, there's now three teams shooting it out for third place on the ladder - Bathurst, City and Forbes.
The Platypi have to turn around a winless opening round quick, but showed tremendous improvement in a two-point loss at Dubbo. Can't write them off.
The Lions also fancy their chances against the Roos after a narrow loss in their clash at Pride Park in July, and a win up in Dubbo will keep City in the fight for third.
While Bathurst, currently occupying that box seat, have a few big games in the coming weeks - none more so than a clash with Emus at Endeavour in round seven.
The race to avoid fourth place, and a showdown with the competition leaders in week one of the finals, is on.
HOOLEY DOOLEY
While touching on the New Holland Agriculture Cup, interesting to see Jake Dooley line-up for the Boars in Parkes' latest win, which was a big scalp in the form of Narromine.
The strapping outside back was the leading try-scorer in Group Nine for the last two years running, so it's no surprise to see Dooley get his name on the scoresheet on Saturday too.
The Boars will be one to watch as the second tier race unfolds.