THE Bathurst Bulldogs have plenty to be excited about for the upcoming Central West Rugby finals series as their teams in all grades will be a part of it.
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Having all four sides make the semi-finals is a strong return to form for the Bulldogs, who last achieved the feat in 2011.
The Bulldogs will be hungry to put in a repeat performance of the finish to that 2011 season, where their colts and second grade sides claimed the premiership and third grade made the grand final.
The first grade side went in as defending champions that year, but were bundled out in the elimination semi-final.
This year’s first grade side will be hoping to avoid dropping out at the same stage when they take on the Forbes Platypi.
The signs are certainly good – the Bulldogs first grade side have five wins from their last six games.
Their strong finish to the season has netted them a fourth place finish and gives them hosting rights for their semi-final.
First grade will be one of two Bulldogs sides playing at home on Sunday at Ashwood Park.
Bulldogs president John Maynard says having all the sides make it into the finals is a great achievement – but it’s something he says the club strives for every year.
“It’s always our goal to make the semi-finals in all grades. We haven’t done it now for at least two years,” he said.
“It’s been a really good season. We also got third in the club championship and all the coaches and players are excited for the weekend.
“That means everyone gets to be involved and no team is isolated this week. Having everyone together is a big positive for training as well.”
Third grade will be contesting a Bathurst derby rematch when they take on CSU at Ashwood.
Bulldogs scraped home 24-23 in last Saturday’s meeting, but now get a small boost with the home ground match.
Second grade and colts have been the two standout sides for the Bulldogs this season, earning themselves qualifying semi-final matches in Orange on Saturday.
Both teams, which managed second place finishes, will take on the Dubbo Kangaroos.
“Colts have been the most pleasing thing this season because they fought their way up to second,” Maynard said.
“They were down around fourth or fifth at the midway point of the season after they lost a couple on the trot.
“Through some hard work and some consistency they got themselves there.
“They also got the win against Orange City last week, so that will be a huge confidence boost going into Saturday.”
City awaits the winner from the two matches.
CSU will take another side to Ashwood for their match against Orange Emus in the second grade elimination semi-final.
In Sunday’s matches at Ashwood, third grade will kick off at 12.10pm and first grade will get started at 3.15pm.
