This week Mudgee has rallied at the burrow to help their young players through the first finals foray in the top tier competition.

Co-coaches Tim Burgess and Tom Flynn have reinvigorated the squad as well as called upon experienced first grade player Adam Rayner to lead some of the coaching sessions.   

Losing to Parkes a fortnight ago and forfeiting to Dubbo Kangaroos last weekend has not taken away Burgess’ belief his charges can recover to give the colts competition a good shake.

“We had to forfeit last week because there were injuries throughout the side and several others were away for early university entry interviews and the like,” he said.

“But Tom and I have been putting the side back through their drills and I think this will lead to better structure on Sunday.”

It is a coherent structure that Burgess sees getting the Wombats over the line at Bathurst’s Ashwood Park.

“When we played Parkes two weeks ago it was really poor and scrappy game. Parkes play unstructured rugby and it is important we keep our structure, wear them down and then run over the top of them,” Burgess said.

“Don’t get me wrong, Parkes are a good side. They play that spoiling type of rugby and they’ve done well this season.

“We can’t play copy-cat footy either. We have been guilty of playing copy-cat footy but it doesn’t work in our favour.

“We have one of the best backlines in the competition and we should use that.”

Parkes have been the victors twice this season, 23-22 at home in May before beating Mudgee 17-5 at Jubilee Oval a fortnight ago.

“We don’t want to be judged on our losses but our overall result,” Burgess said.

“To have the colts side in finals football in their first season back in Blowes is a testament to the club.

“Having Adam Rayner work with the guys at training has been great and hopefully they can take that in to a win on Sunday.”

Sunday’s Blowes Clothing Cup colts elimination semi-final begins at 10.50am at Ashwood Park, Bathurst.