Like many sporting teams around the region, Dubbo Bulls FC has been disrupted by the wet weather but now they will put it behind them as they prepare to take on Orange CYMS FC.
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Bulls will hit the road and head to Orange to play the Western Premier League (WPL) newcomers at Jack Brabham Park on Sunday in round six of the competition.
The match for Bulls is an important one, as the team sits in seventh spot on the ladder heading into the round after playing just three matches due to the weather and the bye.
Bulls back James Leonard said the preparation for Sunday's game has been less than ideal but the side is getting used to it.
"It's been a pretty interrupted season as everyone else has had too I suppose," he said.
"It's hard to get pumped up when you can't train together either because the fields have been closed which hasn't helped a whole lot at all."
Bulls have only won the one game which came against Macquarie United a few weeks ago but Leonard said the start of the season has tested the squad's depth.
"It's not ideal and we've come up against two of the top teams early as well," he said.
"With a few injuries and a lack of preparation it has made it hard."
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CYMS are currently at the bottom of the WPL ladder with four losses to their name from as many games and Leonard is unsure what to make of the Orange-based side ahead of Sunday's fixture.
"I haven't seen a whole lot of them, I've seen the highlights from Bathurst '75 against them," he said.
"Bathurst '75 look very slick so it's hard to judge off that game."
As the game is being played on Sunday, it means Bulls will be unable to have any local players on their bench meaning the side will need to play a full game.
But Leonard is confident the group will be up for the challenge after the team are coming into the match after a week off due to the bye.
"I've only played the one game through injury and other family commitments so I feel good," he said.
"I think we are all but full strength on Sunday minus reserves because the local comp is on a Sunday so we can't use any of them."
As was the case in 2021, Bulls midfielder Kane Settree has again been wonderful for the side but Leonard said there another young talent in the squad who has impressed him so far this season.
"He's going really well and young Braden Smith has been very good too," he said.
"For somebody who has little experience in that sort of league so he is going well."
In the round's other matches, Macquarie United play Parkes and Orana Spurs will face Mudgee Gulgong.
Kick-off is at 1:30pm.
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