IT’S a fact that CSU can’t move from eighth spot on the table regardless of how Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup derby game against Bathurst Bulldogs pans out but that won’t stop the students from putting on a show at Ashwood Park in their final game of the season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The students are coming off their fourth win of the season, a thumping 54-10 win over Narromine, and while bumping that tally up to five would take a substantial effort against Bulldogs it’s a challenge they’re looking forward to.
CSU are hoping to give the Bulldogs a run for their money at their opponents’ Memorial Day match and once again make their cross-city rivals work hard for every single point like they had to earlier this season.
In that previous meeting at University Oval CSU came incredibly close to ending their four-year losing run to Bulldogs when they went down 28-24 in a gripping contest.
CSU coach Pip McIntosh knows finding an upset on Saturday will be hard but wants to see his side play with plenty of heart.
“We don’t expect to win this game but we want to take it to them," he said.
“Bulldogs are focused on that home semi spot so I’m sure they’re going to come out hard.”
McIntosh will take a small step back from calling the shots in Saturday’s game.
With nothing to lose and with several players saying their farewell to the club after this match, McIntosh is happy to let his senior players have a bit of fun in the final appearance.
“We have quite a few guys who will be playing their last game for the club so we decided to put the preparation for the game in their hands. It’s something a bit different and it’s a way of saying thanks for all their hard years of work for the club,” he said.
“If they win I’m claiming it but if we lose it’s on them,” he laughed.
“Our co-captains are part of that finishing group, Tom Greenaway and Cam Backhouse. In our game we didn’t have a lot of direction but those two were standouts for us in our last game at home.”
CSU would love to draw on the rugby they produced in the opening half of May’s Bathurst derby, which helped them to get out to a 24-8 lead at one stage early in the second half.
A late error from the students allowed the Bulldogs to score a late try and end their upset hopes.
McIntosh said, based on recent performances, defence from his team must improve in leaps and bounds to keep out a side still playing for a possible fourth place finish.
“We gave them a good run in that last game. I really want us to be in a competitive position like that again,” he said.
“Our focus has been on defence lately because it’s been a bit soft against the bigger teams. We’ve been conceding 40 to 60 points against the top four sides and that’s disappointing when compared to the early season form that we’ve showed.
“We want to make Bulldogs earn their points.”
CSU’s involvement in Central West Rugby Union competitions isn’t over yet.
Their third grade is still playing for a spot in the finals and their colts squad are already confirmed for a top five finish.
The match at Ashwood Park gets started from 3.15pm.