THE prospect of some of the quickest backs in the Ferguson Cup squaring off in this Saturday’s grand final is a tantalising one, but Bathurst Bulldogs captain Mandy Scott feels it is the forwards who will prove decisive.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bulldogs will attempt to make it back-to-back premierships at Endeavour Oval on Saturday by beating local rivals CSU.
The students’ line-up includes Ferguson Cup player of the year Claire Woolmington, a back with a nose for a try, strong defence and damaging pace.
Bulldogs are not short when it comes to fleet-footed fliers either – wingers Kirsten Howard and Claudia McLaren having torn apart Orange Emus in the minor semi-final while the speed of Tidarat ‘Nuk’ Nongkhu is blistering.
However, when it comes to the forwards things are a little different. Both teams can boast size and strength, but Bulldogs hold a definite edge when it comes to experience.
“The experience in our forwards is phenomenal – I’d say between Edwina [Ulberg], Mel [Waterford] and Marita [Shoulders] they’ve probably got 30 years together of playing. Then I’ve got the 20-year experience,” Scott said.
“I think our forwards are going to be what set us up this weekend, set things up for what the back line needs to do.
“They are constantly just giving us good clean ball, they’re there to make all the crucial hit-ups and get us good field position.”
Bulldogs and CSU have met on just one prior occasion this year, the students winning 31-24. But Scott said that result means “nothing.”
READ MORE: CSU is aiming to ice an impressive season
READ MORE: Bulldogs favourite for second grade title
READ MORE: Little separates third grade rivals
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here
“That game is not any indication of anything for this weekend … I don’t think they know what we are capable of,” she said.
“When we played CSU, a majority of our girls hadn’t really played consecutively together for awhile. Now it's pretty much been the same players day-in and day-out and we’re building into a hard team to beat.
“But we certainly won’t be going in cocky, we will use the same game plan as we did last weekend and hopefully it works out.
“We know how they play, we’ve got eyes on them all the time. We’ve got some pretty clever girls in our back line and they know what their job is.”
The job for all of the Bulldogs – no matter their position – is to make sure they devote all their energy to beating CSU.
“We encourage our girls not to let anything get past us and if they get past us, then we’ve got to make sure we chase everything down,” Scott said.
“Chase every ball, dive on everything, if anyone makes a break we need to be on them. We won’t stop – nothing left in the tanks.
“The girls are just pumped.”
Kick-off in the Ferguson Cup grand final has be slated for 12.30pm.
BATHURST BULLDOGS: Ebony Fenton, Edwina Ulberg, Marita Shoulders, Amelia King, Jade Navin, Mandy Scott, Kate Gullifer, Alyza Doulis, Kirsten Howard, Kelly Edwards, Melissa Waterford, Sharna Aisake, Jess Robinson, Claudia McLaren, Tegan Roads, Tidarat Nongkhu, Courtney Auld, Ali Stanford.
While you’re here
You can now receive online headlines from the Western Advocate delivered straight to your inbox at 6am six days a week. To make sure you’re up-to-date with all news across the Bathurst region, sign up here.
