While the Cowra Blues have continued to truck along in the colder months of the year, last week's match against the Orange Tigers represented different things for the men's and women's teams,
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Women's
Heading into a three week break thanks to an unfortunate scheduling combination with two scheduled byes sandwiching a league-wide break, the Women's Blues put up a competitive effort early against the Orange Tigers at Waratahs Oval.
They controlled the play, the ball went inside the forward 50 repetitively, and all signs suggested the Blues would get a score.
But it never eventuated, with the Tigers responding and getting the game back on their terms by the end of the first quarter, kicking 1.5 to the Blues' 0.0.
That 11 point margin turned into 78 points by the end of the game, the 10 person squad that the Blues had available to struggling to keep apace with the extra depth and full numbers that the Tigers had.
It's also worth noting, that like other sporting clubs in the area, including the rugby and soccer Eagles, as well as the league tag Magpies, who have put time into creating opportunities for women's sport, the Blues have continued to improve, with plenty of individuals finding their footing in the game regardless of the result.
The Blues will return to the field on July 20, when they travel over to North Parkes Oval to take on the Panther, a team they beat earlier in the year.
MEN'S
Coach Ben Rodin has backed his side to bounce back from a forfeit against the Tigers, saying there is a hunger within the playing group to send out full-forward Zac Brunton on good note as he heads home to Brisbane after this weekend.
"Last week was unfortunate," the coach said.
"We were barely scraping numbers together for the fixture and I was at the point where duty of care for player's playing injured, and making sure that the team can remain competitive for the remaining matches, had to come into play.
"I'm confident we can put up a good effort this week, and several in the group have spoken of sending Zac out on a good note."
While the Blues beat this week's opponents, Parkes, by 52 points earlier in the year, Rodin said it was likely that this match would throw up some curveballs given it is in Parkes.
"I don't know what to expect, to tell you the truth," Rodin said.
"I can guarantee we won't die wondering though."
READ ALSO: