ORANGE Emus have earned a place in the Central West Rugby Union second grade grand final but co-coach Toby Tancred said his players aren’t celebrating yet.
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Emus downed CSU 10-0 at Ashwood Park on Saturday in a game dominated by the forwards due to heavy rain and driving wind.
The men in green scored two tries in the first half to establish the 10-0 lead and both teams were held scoreless in the second stanza.
Tancred said he was pleased with his side’s performance, but added there is more work to be done.
“We’re happy but we know it’s not going to count for anything unless we can reproduce next week. We’re not getting over-excited,” Tancred said.
The weather forced the game to be a forwards battle which suited Emus, but Tancred said his men didn’t have it all their own way.
“CSU are playing very, very well. I really congratulate CSU on the way they played,” he said.
“We thought we could bully them in the forwards and they really stood up, numbered up with us, and it took us a while to get on top of them in the forwards.”
Minutes into the game Emus scored their first try when they darted down the blindside from the back of a ruck and hooker Drew Bale dived over.
Seconds before the first half came to a close Emus number 8 Andrew Grivas pushed his way over to score and make it 10-0.
CSU had a few chances to score in the second half but couldn’t convert these opportunities.
CSU coach Julian Stambe was delighted with the way his side played.
“I think the boys played brilliantly,” Stambe said.
“We thought this Emus pack would roll us but the boys manned up today and gave it absolutely everything they had. Unfortunately we weren’t able to utilise our backs as much with the weather.
“I’m proud of the boys. It was a very good year.”
CSU were well served by flanker Mark Nunn and prop Lewis Day.
“As a unit today the boys played really well, they just weren’t able to come away with a win but that’s football,” Stambe said.
Flyhalf TJ Cunynghame was outstanding for Emus and flanker Scott Bouffler was also impressive.
Tancred said Emus will work on their mental game leading up to Saturday’s grand final.
“We’ve just got to remind ourselves that we have to play for the full 70 minutes and stay really focused,” Tancred said.
“It’s just mental this time of year. We’ve done all the preparation. There’s not much we can do at training now, it’s just getting the guys mentally ready.”
ORANGE EMUS 10 (Drew Bale, Andrew Grivas tries) defeated CSU 0
