ASIDE from a smaller than expected crowd at Wade Park on Saturday NSW Country Eagles general manager James Grant, and coach Darren Coleman couldn’t praise Orange further.
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The Eagles took on Melbourne Rising in last weekend’s National Rugby Championship (NRC) round five game in front of an estimated 2,300 fans.
With a food and wine market humming in the background, the game was one to behold with both teams producing some of the fastest, most skilful rugby seen in the central west area for some time, despite the result going Melbourne’s way with a 37-16 victory.
“The ground itself and the facilities were first-class,” Grant said.
“We’ve had a huge amount of positive feedback about the entire event actually from the players, and people like (Australian Rugby Union CEO) Bill Pulver.
“I definitely don’t want to be negative but unfortunately, the crowd was a little smaller than we were expecting and looking for.
“We wanted to hit around 4000 punters, but as it stands we got just over 2000 through the gate. Granted, I might have been expecting a bit too much considering the competition is only five weeks old.”
Grant went on to praise those who did attend, and all those involved in running the day.
“It was a brilliant crowd regardless, the support is clearly there for the Eagles,” he said.
“And all the volunteers from Orange City and Orange Emus were fantastic, they did a wonderful job. There was plenty of great coverage in the media, and we will continue bringing these games to the country areas, and as the popularity grows around the competition we will expect bigger crowds.
“Orange will definitely be considered again next season as one of those country venues, overall it was a great day.”
Even though he cut a dejected figure after his side’s loss to Melbourne, Coleman heaped praise on the entire town after the game.
“It was a great turnout here ... we really wanted to do a good turn for all the Orange people who came out to support. In a way that’s the most disappointing part of the loss,” Coleman said.
“It’s been great (being in Orange), the support is good and I [could] hear the party going on out the back. There’s a great atmosphere here.
“Full credit to Orange, the people here and the (Orange City) council, it’s just a pity we couldn’t put on a better show.”
