WHILE the Bathurst Bulldogs laced up their boots and ran out onto Anne Ashwood Park on Saturday afternoon, it was not to take on Blowes Clothing Cup rivals Narromine.
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Instead it was Bulldog against Bulldog.
On Friday afternoon the Narromine Gorillas informed the Bulldogs that they would be unable to field teams in for any of Saturday’s four scheduled games.
It marked the third week in a row with no rugby for Bulldogs, who had the general bye last Saturday and one round earlier, had their games against Dubbo Kangaroos washed-out.
“We needed to do something to help us going into next week’s games versus Mudgee,” co-coach Brian Roberson said of the inter-club trial.
“It is not the same as a game, but we needed something that does have structure to it, we needed something with some physical contact.
“It’s not ideal, but what can you do?.”
Three weeks without any action isn’t what Roberson wanted as his side looks towards the Blowes Clothing Cup finals.
Yet after Narromine were forced to forfeit Saturday’s women’s, colts, second grade and first grade fixtures against Bulldogs due to a lack of numbers, Roberson could not help but feel sorry for the Gorillas.
“That’s three weeks without any rugby for us, we had the bye last weekend and the wash-out against ’Roos,” Roberson said.
“It’s not great for us, but there’s nothing we can do, it’s in the lap of the Gods.
“Narromine are doing it tough with numbers, they only had 17 players available for the day across all grades.
“It is unfortunate for Narromine and I empathise with them, we need to look at the changing the competition structure next year to help these guys out.”
Roberson said a working party is currently looking at possible changes for the 2017 Central West Rugby Union competition, but what he would like to see is a three-tiered approach.
He feels that would ease the pressure on some of the clubs who have struggled to field teams across all grades.
“I think we need to look at helping out the Dubbo Rhinos and the Narromines, fielding four grades is tough for them,” Roberson said.
“Narromine have been a really good club for a very, very long time and will continue to be as long as they can get in the appropriate competition for next year.”
Narromine have the bye next weekend, while Bulldogs will travel to Mudgee.