FROM players to fans, old boys to club officials, there was an outpouring of emotion at Ashwood Park on Saturday as the Bathurst Bulldogs ended their nine-year Blowes Clothing Cup premiership drought.
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As Bulldogs held off a late challenge from defending premiers Orange Emus to post a 27-24 win, it marked the first time the men in blue and gold had hoisted the trophy since beating Narromine in 2010.
For Bulldogs president Greg Reid, there was both elation and a sense of relief.
"We just needed that so badly as a club," he said.
"We wanted to win the first grade title because it had been such a long time since we've won and to not have hosted one [grand final day] at Bulldogs had really hurt us as a club.
"We are a really proud club and we wanted to get that so badly, it had eluded us for so long."
The first grade title was one of three which Bulldogs secured on the day with both the third grade and women's Ferguson Cup sides beating Orange Emus in their respective deciders.
READ MORE: Speedy Howard enjoys a grand final double
While both colts and the second grade outfits went down in close battles to Dubbo Kangaroos and Orange Emus respectively, meaning Bulldogs missed out on a premiership clean sweep, Reid was still delighted with the day.
"I couldn't have scripted it any better today," he said.
"Yes we would've loved to win all grades, but you don't always win and football is football. But to do what we did today, win three grand finals, I'm immensely proud as president."
Tuma Aisake, who played alongside Reid at Walmer Park when the Bathurst club last hosted a grand final in 2002, said it was the largest rugby crowd he'd see at a Bulldogs match. The president agreed.
"It stretched us to the limit in terms of grog and food and all those sort of things, but it's worth it though," he smiled.
