That is the plan for CSU on Saturday when it hosts the Blowes Clothing Cup front runners, coach Scott Hatch stressing to his men the importance of controlling possession.

With the unbeaten Emus averaging over 55 points a game, they boast the best attacking record in the competition. The Orange outfit has thus far scored 561 points more than the students.

If given enough football at University Oval on Saturday Emus will rack up points, so Hatch knows restricting their possession is crucial.

“We know what they’re going to throw at us, we know how they are going to do it, so we just need to shut those things down,” he said.

“We spoke at training about not giving them the ball, they can’t score points if they don’t have the ball. Frustrating them when they have the ball to create turnovers, then when we have possession, we need to make sure we don’t give it back to them.

“The more opportunities you give class sides like that, the more defending we have to do and the more chances they are going to have to score.”

While Emus’ impressive run has them in prime position to claim the minor premiership, CSU has been fighting to avoid the wooden spoon.

Last Saturday Hatch’s men gave themselves a two-point buffer over Mudgee as they upset Parkes in Parkes.

That win – CSU’s second of the season – has given the players a welcomed confidence boost ahead of the showdown with Emus.

“The boys put in, they played to the plan we set for them and that is how you win games. It is what we have been pushing for obviously for all year, to play how we train,” Hatch said.

“The boys are pretty motivated at the moment … hopefully we are going to be able to carry on some of that motivation, that intensity, against probably the best team in the comp.

“We are definitely going to prepare a little bit different for this game. It’s great to be able to test ourselves against Parkes and Mudgee and other teams that are around our level, but we also want to be able to push those teams that are above us.

“It would be great if we could put a shock through Central West and actually get on top of the Emus boys.”

Another thing which will give CSU confidence is that they conceded just one second-half try when last meeting Emus.

“The second half I think was only 7-0, it was up there at their home ground, they were at full strength, so if we can obviously match that performance we put in against them back then and bring some of the new structures and passion that we have now, I’m hoping that we are going to be far more competitive,” he said.

Saturday’s game at University Oval kicks off at 3.15pm.