BATHURST Bulldogs will have to do it the hard way if they are to go the distance in the Central West Rugby Union first grade finals series and that task begins with Sunday’s game against the Forbes Platypi at Ashwood Park.

There are no more second chances for the Bulldogs, whose fourth place finish in the minor premiership sees them host the sudden death meeting with the Platypi. 

It is a pressure situation, but the Bathurst outfit are in the sort of form to go deep into the finals.

Prior to a close defeat a fortnight ago to defending champions Orange City – a game in which they missed a kick after the siren to win – the Bulldogs had won their last six matches at home. 

It makes earning hosting rights for Sunday’s elimination semi-final a big mental advantage.

It has been an enjoyable end to the regular season for Bathurst co-coach Shane Cantrill and his side, but he believes it is crucial that his Bulldogs learn from last week’s inconsistent play against CSU. It was a match they could have won by more than the 40-24 margin.

“We just need to keep playing as we’ve been playing,” he said.

“We were under performing against CSU in that second half. The first half performance to get us out to 33-7 at half-time was great.”

It was just over a month ago when Bulldogs last met Forbes and they posted a 21-10 win at Ashwood Park. It was in a game where the Bathurst squad enjoyed a glut of possession in the opening half.

Bulldogs dictated terms for a majority of that encounter, but Cantrill is not taking a repeat win over Forbes as a given.

“They’re a particularly tough, uncompromising side who are tough on the ball and love to pick and drive it. They’ve given every team a run for their money at some stage this competition,” Cantrill said.

“We need to man up and make sure that our defence is right. Our set pieces need to be on and we must be using the ball right. If we mess up an opportunity Forbes are going to punish it.”

Looking back on the season thus far, in particular a first half riddled with line-up shuffling, Cantrill is happy with where his side ended up on the table.

“We had a few interruptions during the year, so to come out of it in fourth place is great. It seemed like whenever we came up against the key sides we always had our rep players out or other blokes away,” he said.

“We’ve had to juggle a lot with our squad and that’s a credit to the boys who have come into the side. It’s been such a hard selection process this year and it’s great seeing these young blokes come through.”

There are some more injury dramas which have struck the Bulldogs ahead of the sudden death fixture.

Peter Fitzsimmons slots into the hooker role this week to cover for Mark Donnelley, who is out with an ankle injury. Oliver Crowe gets a taste of first grade finals football as he starts at flanker to cover for Fitzsimmons’ switch.

Andrew Donaldson once again gets a start at prop as Sean Fogarty is out with an injured shoulder while Tim Collins will line up on the wing in place of an absent Tom Joseph.

The first grade match rounds out the day of finals action at Ashwood Park, with the game set to start at 3.15pm.

BATHURST BULLDOGS: 1 Chris Plunkett, 2 Peter Fitzsimmons, 3 Andrew Donaldson, 4 Lachlan Bull, 5 Izaac Breen, 6 Alistair Fryer, 7 Oliver Crowe, 8 Hayden Tidswell, 9 Tom Hollis, 10 Steven Locke, 11 Josh Lees, 12 Alex Weal, 13 Jack Roberson, 14 Tim Collins, 15 Phil Tonkin.