Winning a title is tough, but defending one is even tougher – that’s a somewhat tacky turn of phrase the mysterious they, whoever they may be, tend to say and is oft abound even the very best of sports journalism.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But Central West co-coach Greg Horton isn’t buying into that ahead of this weekend’s NSW Country Rugby Union Championship, not entirely anyway.
He has no doubt defending last year’s win in the inaugural women’s sevens championship will be a serious challenge but one major benefit his side has is, as he says, the fact Central West “is much, much better prepared” this time around.
“We had no idea what to expect last year, but we’ve got a much better idea going into this weekend which is a real positive for us,” Horton, who shares the mentor role with Tristan Buttenshaw, said.
“We’ve got a much different side this year, quite a few of our more experienced players aren’t playing this weekend but it’s still a really talented group and I think they’ll do well.
“There’s a good mix of experience of then younger players as well, and the [Westfund Ferguson Cup] being the way it is now is a really big help as well, these players are playing a higher standard of rugby every week.”
Five of last year’s title-winning side have been named including 2017 player of the tournament Sharnah Stevens, who has already scored 15 tries in West Wyalong’s stunning opening to the Westfund Ferguson Cup, fellow Redback Krystal Fyfe, Temora’s Roxy Dougall, Bathurst’s Mandy Scott and Cowra’s Tanielle Michael.
The quintet is joined by West Wyalong’s Kenesha Stevens and Eden Heke, Temora’s Amie Fazekas, Orange City’s Courtney Currie, Mudgee’s Helen Limm, Bathurst’s Alyza Doulis and Cootamundra’s Louise Raleigh.
“Sharnah’s sister Kenesha is one who didn’t play last year, she was injured, and she’s a very good player. Obviously having Sharnah playing is a big boost too,” Horton said.
“We’ve looked to pick a lot of the more experienced sevens players and then some of the more mobile forwards in the [Westfund Ferguson Cup], so we’ll really look to take the other sides on.
“If anyone is going to beat us they’re going to have to work really hard to do it, because we’re going to try and play really positive rugby and try to be on the front foot all the time.”
Central West starts its title defence against Western Plains at 10am on Saturday morning before facing Central Coast and Central North in pool A as well. The semi-finals and decider will be played on Sunday.
If anyone is going to beat us they’re going to have to work really hard to do it.
- Central West co-coach Greg Horton
The side Central West beat in last year’s decider, Newcastle-Hunter, is on the other side of the draw in pool B, signalling a real chance the two sides could meet in this year’s grand final too.
The Novocastrians are paired with Mid North Coast, New England and Far North Coast.
- CENTRAL WEST: Sharnah Stevens, Kenesha Stevens, Eden Heke, Kyrstal Fyfe (West Wyalong Redbacks), Amie Fazekas, Roxy Dougall (Temora Tuskers), Courtney Currie (Orange City Lions), Helen Limm (Mudgee Wombats), Mandy Scott, Alyza Doulis (Bathurst Bulldogs), Louise Raleigh (Cootamundra Tri-Colours), Tanielle Michael (Cowra Eagles)