Cowra rugby club is preparing to host its first Blowes Clothing Cup finals in half a decade.
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The Eagles first grade side secured third spot on the ladder with victory on the road over defending premiers Forbes Platypi in the final regular round last week.
It means the club will host five elimination finals including Colts, thirds, seconds, women’s and first grade next Sunday, August 12 at the Cowra Rugby Grounds.
Memories of the 2013 season when the Red Men last featured in semi-finals are flooding back to the minds of the Eagles’ faithful.
In 2013, Cowra hosted and beat Dubbo Roos in the minor semi-final before tumbling out a week later in dramatic fashion at Parkes against the Boars.
All square after scoring but missing the conversion late in regular time, the Eagles bowed out after scores remained locked at the end of extra-time, and the Boars progressed due to its higher finish on the table.
Orange City lifted the premiership that year.
In the title race this year, along with Cowra and Forbes, is Orange Emus and Bathurst Bulldogs.
Eagles president Ian Robertson is hugely proud of his club so far and can’t wait to bring finals footy back to Cowra.
“It’s great,” Ian Robertson said.
“There’s been really good support home and away from the club’s old boys and general fans so it’s good to get this home semi-final.
“It’s an opportunity for us to show everyone how much we’ve grown this season and it’s an opportunity for the supporters to see it.”
A general bye this week gives players a chance to get over any minor injuries, for the Eagles it mostly benefits prop Joe Dakuitoga, flanker Tom Dewhurst and lock Tim Berry who are all carrying knocks.
“It’ll allow for a stronger finals series because it’ll give players a chance to recover,” Robertson said.
“People carry niggling injuries at this time of year so that’ll influence training this week. But as a whole we’re pretty fit.”
Club officials and first grade players reassessed season goals on Saturday night, because after qualifying for the finals it ticked off everything the club set out to do in 2018.
That included maintaining the club financially, having fun and playing finals football.
“Our goal now is to go all the way. They have the belief to win it,” Robertson said.
