After five seasons of being the bridesmaid to Orange Triathlon Club, the Red Devils might have injected the confidence needed to wrestle the Central West Inter-club Triathlon Series shield away from the colour city.

Albeit there are three rounds remaining in the series, but the new points scoring system might mean Mudgee might be in with a shot.

The Red Devils dominated the series for a good part of a decade from the late 1990s to 2009-10.

That was until the Piranhas from Orange got their act together and overtook Mudgee as the premier triathlon centre of Western NSW.

Orange have been untouchable in the last few seasons, generally wrapping up the inter-club series with rounds to spare.

It is why organisers and the clubs decided to revamp the points scoring system, which gives the smaller clubs like Cowra and Dubbo more of a chance to do well.

Clubs’ points are divided according to how many members they have over the age of 14.

The Red Devils might have benefited from the changes with the club picking up big points across the board at the second round at Bathurst last Sunday.

Matt Webster won the event overall with Nick Kastelein (fourth), Emmett Karstrom (sixth) and Neil Bungate (seventh) all in the top 10.

Rowlands said the results at Bathurst were fantastic.

“We are picking up major points across all of the age groups,” Rowlands said.

“In the 20-30 years women group I think we got maximum points, I don’t know exactly but we did do well.”

It’s a look back into the past where Mudgee use to dominate.

“Especially with the long standing members there it feels like the old days,” he said.

“We are getting points across the board not just in the older age groups.

“The vibe [within the club] is starting to feel like we are building.”

Orange took in a 276-point lead into the second round but that was because they hosted the opening race.

With Mudgee hosting the last race of the season, Rowlands believe they can reel in Orange’s lead.

“We can pick them up rapidly,” he said.

“If we can get a good roll up to Cowra; Cowra, I think, will be the one that could decide the series.”

Cowra’s race will be held on January 18.