THE Parkes Boars came within a whisker of springing the first big upset of the 2014 Central West Rugby Union campaign last Saturday, so after falling one point short of toppling defending premiers Orange City, they will be keen to make amends on home soil on Saturday.
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That is why Bathurst Bulldogs coach Scott Johnston knows his men have a real battle ahead of them as they attempt to make it two wins from as many games to start their own season.
While the Bulldogs were busy posting a come from behind win over Orange Emus at Ashwood Park last Saturday, the Parkes versus Orange City match looked headed for a surprise result as the Boars led by four points with three minutes remaining.
However, City scored a late try to post a 17-16 win and make it 39 consecutive games without loss. While defeated, the performance showed the Boars will be a team to respect this year.
“We are expecting a very hard game, we have struggled against them over the last few years and I believe it will be very difficult to beat them over there this weekend,” Johnston said.
“I would say just from looking at the Central West side that they have a very strong forward pack, but they’ve got some classy outside backs as well.
“For us, we are just looking to improve. What we showed last week was a really good base, we’ve got a talented bunch of players this season and we’ve got to keep going forward.
“We know that it is going to be a tough day, but at the end of the day if you want to win this competition you have to win games like this.”
The battle of the two packs could go a long way to deciding the outcome of tomorrow’s match and while Parkes may hold the edge in terms of size, Johnston knows he has players within his ranks to combat that.
“Chris Plunkett is in the Country side, so obviously that shows he’s a good prop,” the coach said.
“Sean Fogarty, he may not get the sort of praise that Plunk does, but he’s just as tough and he’s the kind of guy that plays better the tougher it gets. He is the sort of player you want in your team for tough games like this.
“Obviously Parkes have a good pack, but we’ve got talented players, too. I think our scrum really stood up last week and was one of our strengths.”
Though Bathurst’s performance in the ruck will be critical, if the forwards are able to create space for their backs, the Bulldogs are certainly capable of doing some damage.
Noted fly-half Steve Locke returns after missing the opening round and his combination with scrumhalf Tom Hollis has led to numerous Bulldogs tries in the past.
Phil Tonkin will switch to fullback, a position where he has spent plenty of time, while last Saturday’s custodian Brodie Scott will start on the wing.
The rugby league convert will hope he can benefit from playing alongside new Bulldogs’ recruit Tom Joseph, the centre impressing last week as he scored two tries.
BATHURST BULLDOGS: 1 Chris Plunkett, 2 Mark Donnelley, 3 Sean Fogarty, 4 Matt Boyle, 5 Izaak Breen, 6 Hayden Tidswell, 7 Angus Cleaver, 8 Adam Dwyer, 9 Tom Hollis, 10 Steve Locke, 11 Jack Roberson, 12 Tom Joseph, 13 Josh Lee, 14 Brodie Scott, 15 Phil Tonkin.
