The 2016 Blowes Clothing Cup season will go down as one for the ages, for a number of reasons.
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From the controversy surrounding the draw to Emus’ second straight title win,Forbes’ remarkable resurgence after a dismal 2015 campaign, controversy galore and the impact the weather had on grounds all across the region.
The Blowes Clothing Cup always delivers, and 2016 was no different.
PLAYER MOVEMENTS:
Former NSW Country Cockatoo Mahe Fangupo shifts to the Forbes Platypi in the biggest off-season move of all, the Platypi also announce they’ll have the services of Hal Honemau, Tohi Nusipepa, Nathan Langilangi and Masi Seru as well.
Forbes also pick-up former West Harbour Shute Shield No.8 Matt Coles.
Joe Lasagavibau confirms he will remain with the Orange City Lions, despite the lure of returning to rugby league, while multiple-premiership winning centre Sam Coote confirms he won’t be suiting up regularly and former Orange Hawks halfback Keegan Harding is announced as the Lions’ biggest pick-up.
Mudgee’s boom 2015 recruit Rota Setu – a former Queensland and Australian Schoolboy, and National Rugby Championship (NRC) gun – defects to rugby league, signing with the Mudgee Dragons.
CSU Bathurst loses a number of its leadership group, among them Blake Ridges, Nick Dutton and James Tooth. The students confirm they’ll be relying heavily on their annual influx of first-year players.
Orange Emus pick up a number of handy players, although their real value remains to be seen in the pre-season. Filling the holes made by premiership-winning five-eighth Adam Perri and mercurial fullback Graydon Staniforth are the greens’ biggest issues.
In Dubbo, NSW Country Cockatoo Filisione Pauta – a bit-part player in 2015 – confirms he will play the entire season with the Kangaroos.
Bathurst Bulldogs confirm former star Bart Bogart’s return to the club, while former Sydney University Shute Shield star Sam Roberson also returns full-time and assumes Bulldogs’ captaincy.
PRE-SEASON:
CWRU chief executive officer Peter Veenstra puts forward a proposal for changes to the 2016 season and announces Dubbo Rhinos’ return to the top tier. The proposal suggests third grade and colts should not be compulsory and the former competition should be open to schools as well.
The so-called big four – Orange Emus, Orange City, Bathurst Bulldogs and Dubbo Kangaroos – oppose the proposed changes leading into CWRU’s special general meeting to finalise the structures of the competition.
The Blowes Clothing Cup community is shocked by the sudden disappearance of former Orange City fullback Terry Brown. The 22-year-old goes missing off the mid-north coast of NSW.
Veenstra announces the confirmation of CWRU radical changes to the 2017 season, the competition will be split into two, random pools after the 12th round and the finals will be played out by the top five overall, from both groups.
He also says the colts competition will revert from under 20s to an under-19 tournament and will be mandatory, while third grade will not be compulsory.
Orange Emus assistant coach Andrew Logan slams the changes – making sure to clarify it was his own opinion – saying CWRU was “fiddling around the edges rather than making any tough decisions” and they are “trying to please too many people”.
CWRU releases the controversial 2016 draw, which reveals the proposed – and confirmed – two-pool structure has been scrapped.
However, thanks to Rhinos’ introduction, not all sides will play each twice and Emus, Parkes Boars and CSU Bathurst will all play one more game than the remaining eight clubs and one result, each clubs’ worst, in the first 11 rounds will be dismissed to ensure all 11 teams finish with 17 results on the final table.
Logan slams the draw, labelling it “farcical” and issuing the CWRU board a vehement please explain in the process.
Logan doesn’t hold back regarding the fixtures list, or CWRU’s process of developing it – which he says included asking for feedback, then ignoring it.
A number of clubs come out in opposition of the draw, while some also convey their support of it or indifference toward it, while all 11 clubs announce their 2017 coaching staff as well.
ROUND ONE:
Fears surrounding the Narromine Gorillas’ capability to field any teams at all in their opening round fixture against the Cowra Eagles emerge. Veenstra confirms he’s aware of the Gorillas’ player struggles but says he’s confident they’ll compete.
Compete they do, the Gorillas trump Cowra 29-11.
Orange City observes a minute’s silence prior to mauling Parkes 52-8, in honour of Terry Brown – a former colts premiership winner with the Lions.
Led by a double from English recruit Todd Freedman, Emus pummel Bulldogs 36-14 on the road to kick their premiership defence off in style while Forbes account for Mudgee and CSU Bathurst knocks off Dubbo Rhinos.
ROUND TWO:
Emus speedster Carter Hirini confirms he has defected to rugby league to play with the Blayney Bears, but the loss doesn’t stop the greens thumping Narromine 62-9 at Endeavour Oval.
Meanwhile, Orange City does enough to fend off CSU Bathurst at Pride Park while ‘Roos inflict Bulldogs’ second straight loss, Mudgee edges Cowra and Forbes trump Parkes in their local derby.
ROUND THREE:
Despite being without three of their best, the Lions thump Dubbo Rhinos 64-0 at Caltex Park thanks mainly to flanker Feleti Wolfgramm’s four-try performance. The win pushes Orange City to the top of the table through three games, where the Lions were deadlocked with Emus on 15 points.
The greens took care of Mudgee, winning 31-12, while Forbes also remained unbeaten with a win over CSU, Cowra won a nail-biter against Parkes and ‘Roos thumped Narromine.
ROUND FOUR:
After Emus and Rhinos forfeited colts games in the opening three rounds, CWRU abandon the penalties in place for doing so in a bid to, as Veenstra says, “encourage teams to play”. CSU club captain Jarrod Hyde is filthy on the move.
Bathurst Bulldogs score their first win of the season over Narromine, led by No.8 Peter Fitzsimons Bulldogs thump the Gorillas 61-7.
Emus thump Parkes 59-7, while Cowra defeats CSU, Forbes thump Rhinos and Mudgee stuns Dubbo, upsetting ‘Roos 17-8.
Meanwhile, Orange City coach Steve Hamson conveys his ire at having the bye – one of four the Lions will have in 2016.
ROUND FIVE:
Forbes’ defence holds, denying Orange City for more than more than 15 phases on their line, to record a gritty 13-12 win at Pride Park, handing the Lions their first loss of the season and remaining unbeaten in the process.
‘Roos bounce back by trumping Parkes, Emus defy the gritty students, Bulldogs edge Mudgee out and Cowra piles on 12 tries in an 80-14 shellacking of Rhinos. Mitchell Budge scores three of those himself.
ROUND SIX:
Leading 26-12 with 55 minutes elapsed Orange City defends inside its own half as Cowra mounts countless attacking raids in search of the 15 points which would see them steal an unlikely victory. The Eagles managed 12 of those points, but the Lions’ defence holds to claim a gritty win.
Elsewhere, the lowly Boars stun Bulldogs with a 28-24 upset – Parkes’ first win of the year – while Emus trump Rhinos, ‘Roos take care of CSU and Mudgee pips Narromine by two points.
ROUND SEVEN:
Chasing its first local derby win since 2012, CSU Bathurst blows it against Bulldogs. The students lead for the first 75 minutes of the clash, before Bulldogs’ winger Adam Plummer scores and Kurt Weekes nails a penalty to put the side in front by four and ultimately seal a 28-24 win.
In the round’s other local derbies Emus maintain bragging rights in the all-Orange, 2015 grand final rematch while ‘Roos thump Rhinos, Cowra hands Forbes its first loss of the season and Parkes beats Narromine.
ROUND EIGHT:
For the second straight week Emus take care of a title contender, handing the Platypi their second straight loss in a clinical 25-12 victory at Grinsted Oval.
At Narromine’s Cale Oval, the Gorillas break CSU’s hearts with a late penalty goal - which was retaken after a student moved off the line – which put the hosts up 27-26.
Wolfgramm continues his try-scoring ways with a double in the Lions’ win over ‘Roos while Bulldogs thump Rhinos and Mudgee defeats Parkes.
ROUND NINE:
Rain hits, again.
All of the round’s games are played in absolute slop, none more so than Bulldogs’ trip to Pride Park to play Orange City.
The Bathurst side breaks a five year and nine month hoodoo against the Lions with an 18-7 win in the abhorrent conditions.
Just down the road Emus slide through Cowra, while CSU pips Mudgee 20-19, the Platypi roll ‘Roos and Narromine splashes past Rhinos.
ROUND 10:
Forbes fly-half Matt Kilgore breaks Bulldogs’ hearts with a long-range, last-minute penalty goal at Ashwood Park, sealing a 14-11 win for the Platypi in an absolute thriller.
The victory keeps Forbes in second, 11 points behind Emus.
CSU finally shows what it can do, piling on 43 points to 12 against Parkes while ‘Roos trump Cowra, Orange City grinds out Narromine and Mudgee accounts for Rhinos.
ROUND 11:
Emus lose, Emus lose!
Without skipper Nigel Staniforth, vice-captain Nick Hughes-Clapp, five-eighth Todd Freedman and back-rower Mitch Lockley, the greens suffer their first loss of the season to ‘Roos.
It’s a firey game, Emus’ Tom Goolagong and ‘Roos’ James Gilmour are both controversially handed red cards and greens coach Paul Ringland is banished form the sideline as the latter side wins 22-7.
The game is moved from No.1 Oval to DCL Park, as rain continues to play havoc with the region’s grounds.
Around the grounds, Bulldogs trump Cowra, Forbes defeats Narromine, Rhinos defeat Parkes and Orange City’s game against Mudgee is postponed thanks to the state of Pride Park.
ROUND 12:
Goolagong and Gilmour, and Ringland for that matter, escape suspension. All three are judged to have no case to answer for after the contentious send-offs.
Emus bounce back from their first loss with a win over Bulldogs, although the latter side is far more impressive.
In the other round 12 games, Cowra thumps Narromine, Forbes does the same to Mudgee and Orange City mauls Parkes for the second time in 2016, winning 85-10. Rhinos edge out CSU as well, winning 18-16.
ROUND 13:
CSU’s clash with Orange City is moved from Bathurst’s University Oval to Pride Park’s No.2 ground, and the Lions promptly thump the students 43-12 while a four-try performance from AJ Sykes helps Emus put Narromine to the sword at Cale Oval.
In a high-scoring game, Cowra defeats Mudgee 51-31 while Forbes wins and Bulldogs’ clash with ‘Roos is deferred thanks to the condition of Ashwood Park.
ROUND 14:
‘Roos emerge victorious at Narromine’s Cale Oval, thumping the Gorillas 57-0 to claim the Glenn Browning Trophy in the two clubs’ annual ‘Beat the Breakdown’ match-up while a gritty performance from Mudgee is almost enough for the Wombats to topple Emus, however the greens score 20 unanswered, second half points to win 25-12.
Every other winning side cracks 50 points, with Orange City, Cowra and Forbes racking up massive scores.
ROUND 15:
Controversy.
Player shortages, bizarre walk-offs and huge scorelines headline the round, where only three games are completed.
Narromine forfeits all grades against Bulldogs, Cowra’s trip to Bathurst is called off thanks to the state of CSU’s University Oval – after Eagles’ president James Keady calls for a general bye to avoid the prospect – and Parkes players walk off the field – which Logan described as “inexcusable” – as their match with Orange Emus was called off with 10 minutes remaining.
On top of that, Mudgee musters just two tries across four grades against Dubbo Kangaroos.
ROUND 16:
Parkes Boars coach Trevor Whitaker admits he understands where Logan was coming from the week prior, but defends the actions his players felt they were forced into, and calls for CWRU to consider a two-tier structure because the smaller towns “just can’t compete”.
The Boars compete, but lose to ‘Roos in round 16.
Hamson claims the Lions will “be lucky to make the finals” if they continue the kind of form which hands them a 19-13 defeat to Forbes, Orange City was hoping to avenge their earlier season loss.
Emus trump CSU while Cowra and Bulldogs also win.
ROUND 17:
Former Eastwood and Australian sevens star John Grant returns for Cowra as the Eagles down Orange City 20-17, leaving the Lions hanging tenuously to a spot in the top five.
Emus stand-in skipper Scott McLean lauds Rhinos’ heart and effort as the greens thump the Dubbo side 99-0, while ‘Roos, Bulldogs and Mudgee all pile on more than 60 points as they beat CSU, Parkes and Narromine respectively.
ROUND 18:
Forbes blow the premiership race wide open with a stunning upset of Emus at Endeavour Oval, the greens’ second loss of the winter.
Although, Emus claim the minor premiership because Forbes don’t secure a bonus point, leaving the greens’ lead unassailable at the top of the table.
Orange City assures itself of a finals berth thanks to a last-gasp try to Sione Amone, which inspires the Lions to a 22-17 bonus point win over ‘Roos, also guaranteed a finals berth.
Bulldogs thump Rhinos, CSU trumps Narromine and Mudgee defeats Parkes.
ROUND 19:
Lachlan Harris’ heroics ensure Emus claim bragging rights once again in the all-Orange derby, the greens trump Orange City 17-12 in a thriller at Pride Park.
In the other derbies, Roos destroy Rhinos, Forbes beat Cowra, Narromine defeats Parkes and Bulldogs thrash CSU.
The top five is set, with Emus, Forbes, Roos, Bulldogs and Orange City to contest the finals.
FINALS, WEEK ONE:
Bulldogs score one of, if not the, most memorable wins in Blowes Clothing Cup history by running down a 27-0 half-time deficit against Orange City, to win 39-34 in extra-time and eliminate the Lions from the title race.
Weekes’ four penalty goals have plenty to do with that result, while Adam Plummer scores from an Izaak Breen line-break to seal the result in overtime.
Fairfax Media regional sports journalist Nick McGrath describes it as “the best game of Blowes Clothing Cup I’ve ever seen”.
Forbes books a major semi-final date with Emus, downing Roos 29-18 in the qualifying final.
FINALS, WEEK TWO:
Not throwing his toys out of the cot, Hamson lauds Bulldogs’ performance before predicting Emus to go on and win the title. The greens kick start that prediction, redeeming themselves after a round 18 loss to Forbes by producing a marvellous defensive effort to hold the Platypi out and win 10-5, securing a second consecutive home grand final in the process.
Leading Forbes 10-5 with no time left on the clock, Emus hold out a barrage of attacking raids – which last until the 87th minute, and 38 phases – to hang on to the lead and ultimately earn the win.
Bulldogs continue their finals charge by destroying Roos in Dubbo, winning 37-17.
FINALS, WEEK THREE:
Forbes brings Bulldogs’ magical Blowes Clothing Cup post-season run to an end in the preliminary final, setting up a mouth-watering grand final match-up with Orange Emus in the process – which CSU skipper Cam Backhouse predicted prior to round 17.
The game is moved to Spooner Oval from Grinsted because of floodwaters inundating the latter venue, but the switch does little to negate the Platypi’s home ground advantage.
A gritty defensive effort after Adrian Cole is yellow carded proves the catalyst as Forbes hangs on to win 18-9 – all nine of Bulldogs’ points come from the boot of Kurt Weekes.
GRAND FINAL:
With no injury concerns, Emus named a full-strength squad for the decider including what is labelled early on as a ‘super bench’, while Forbes also releases a blockbuster line up.
The two sides and their history during the regular season inspires one of the great Blowes Clothing Cup grand finals.
With the scores locked at 11-11 and regular time well and truly elapsed, Emus win a scrum penalty within kicking distance and skipper Nigel Staniforth makes no mistake, slotting the extras to seal Emus’ 14-11 win – the greens’ second straight premiership.
In a truly inspiring performance, Staniforth is hands down the best player on the field, scoring all of Emus’ points.
Mudgee Wombats’ 23-year-old young gun Sam Schmidt is crowned CWRU player of the year.