Dubbo Rhinos denied Cowra a chance to work on emerging combinations, forfeiting on Thursday night when just 13 players across the senior grades showed up to training.

It gave Cowra maximum points, moving them to equal sixth on the ladder, with City and Parkes ousted comfortably by Orange Emus and CSU Bathurst respectively.

City remains fifth on 27 points, two clear of Parkes and Cowra.

Cowra coach Troy Hayes said he would have rather played on Saturday, despite seeing the positives in having a spell – including giving a number of players a chance to recover from niggling injuries.

“Things worked out despite not playing,” Hayes said.

“It didn’t give us a run but it also freshens us up, and there’s no byes in this second round it’s just been week after week.”

But with a number of mid-season inclusions to the nest, the forfeit robbed Hayes’ side a chance of working on newly formed combinations.

“We want to work on a few combinations though, and that game probably would have given us a chance to do that. 

“But it is what it is.”

The Eagles face cellar-dwellers Mudgee Wombats this week on the road, while City hosts Forbes and Parkes are away to Bathurst Bulldogs – Forbes and Bulldogs are top four sides.

“It’s a big opportunity for us this week. Parkes and City are playing top four sides which is a bonus,” Hayes said.

“We just have to make sure we give ourselves every chance and capitalise.”

Mudgee is coming off a 55-13 loss on Saturday against Forbes.

Cowra hosted the Wombats back in round four and a second-half comeback piloted them to a 30-17 win.

“The result was expected but I heard some good comments about Mudgee which is good for club rugby,” Hayes said of Saturday’s match.

“I think they’ll be a lot tougher at home than they are away. It’ll be another challenge for us.”

Cowra finishes the season with games against Forbes, CSU and Dubbo Roos.