It’s only three weeks into the new Western Women’s Rugby League season but Woodbridge Cup coach Michael Dumesny believes his side is already in must-win territory.
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Woodbridge Cup takes on Group 11 in a derby of sorts in the region’s new-look, 13-a-side women’s competition on Saturday.
There’s no shortage of ill-feeling between the two sides, with Dumesny confidently predicting his cup outfit would easily account for its black and red rivals in the pre-season.
But with Woodbridge Cup suffering losses in games one and two of the season and Group 11 coming off a thumping 36-12 win over Castlereagh last weekend, Dumesny’s resolution will be thoroughly tested during round three at Manildra.
“I’m expecting them to be fired up and ready to play,” Dumesny said ahead of the Group 11 clash.
“I saw them play versus Castlereagh (last weekend in Forbes) and they seemed well structure, Nick (Wilson has) got them going well that way.
“They’re probably like every team outside of Group 10 at the moment ... it’s baby steps, week-by-week.
“If we can weather the storm early and get into the game we’re capable of a win.”
Dumesny concedes his side’s opening fortnight of the season has essentially been a trial period for the Woodbridge Cup opens side.
I’m expecting them to be fired up and ready to play.
- Woodbridge Cup coach Mick Dumesny on Saturday's opposition, Group 11
But he’s confident with the likes of fullback Heidi Regan and Elysse Girot-Serplet in the Woodbridge Cup line-up a win is just around the corner.
“We started very slow, but I’ve got a good crew around me, we’ve built up week by week,” he said.
“Our one and seven ... Heidi is a very good player. She wouldn’t look out of place in the Western division team.
“Group 10 would have beaten any side by 50 last week, but Heidi saved about 10 tries with her defence.”
Group 11 coach Nick Wilson was looking forward to Saturday’s clash with Woodbridge Cup, but was hopeful his opposition rose to the challenge.
“I’m hoping they play up to expectations because we want a really good game before we play Group 10 again,” Wilson said.
“Hopefully they improve and we know they want to beat Group 11 but we’re looking at the big picture and want to win the whole thing.”
Group 11 takes on Woodbridge Cup in the under 18s and opens at Manildra’s Jack Huxley Oval on Saturday, with the first game starting at 3pm.
Group 10 plays Castlereagh in both grades at Carrington Park, Bathurst, on Saturday.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
