Forbes Platypi’s Mahe Fangupo has been named player of the tournament at the weekend’s NSW Country Rugby Union Championships.
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The Blue Bulls went down to Illawarra in the Caldwell Cup decider, after a monumental upset of Newcastle-Hunter in a brutal game on Saturday night.
The clearly-fatigued Blue Bulls were run over by Illawarra 37-15 in the NSW Country Rugby Union Championships’ Caldwell Cup decider on Sunday.
Coach Dean Oxley said once his side had fallen behind, it was “100 per cent” guilty of trying too hard to make up the points.
“We based our play around sticking to the process and ignoring the scoreboard, but once we fell behind the desire and possibly panic at times meant we put pressure on ourselves,” Oxley said.
“But we learned valuable lessons and we took a step forward, because a goal was to make the final and we did. It’s disappointing to lose, but I want this group to stay together now and try to do what Illawarra did.
“To go one step further and win is the goal next year. We’ll face (Richardson Shield champions) Central Coast ... so it won’t be easy, but ours is a special group of guys and I think we can do it.”
It was errors that killed Central West, although Illawarra still needed to be good enough to capitalise.
The eventual champions did just that, the Illawarriors scored four of their six tries directly following Blue Bulls’ errors.
Two of those four tries were in the opening half, the second of which was a hugely opportunistic play from fullback Jacob Kara.
Illawarra had opened the scoring with a penalty goal before Tom Green scored for Central West and the eventual champions hit back with two quick tries.
The Illawarriors built on that lead after the break, scoring another 17 points and holding Central West to 10 with some bruising defensive efforts.
Green was strong for the Blue Bulls, scoring two of the side’s three tries while Central West’s other winger Harry Webber was superb, backing up his super effort from Saturday night.
Mahe Fangupo was magnificent as expected and deserved player of the tournament, Oxley praised his entire forward pack.
Central West scored a stunning, come-from-behind, 36-34 win over Newcastle-Hunter on Saturday night to qualify for the final.
