Central West finished their 2019 Positive Rugby Foundation Under 14 Boys 'NSW State Championship campaign on a positive note at Pride Park on Monday afternoon, scoring a last-start win to finish ninth.
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Faced with Sydney's West Harbour in the ninth-place play-off after finishing third in their pool the Baby Bulls claimed a thrilling, 31-26 win to down the Pirates.
Central West were beaten in a "physically tough" tournament-opening clash against Parramatta (19-nil) on Saturday morning before bouncing back with a superb, 48-nil win over the Central Coast.
They backed that up with another commanding victory, this one over Southern Districts and to the tune of 45-nil to rocket back into contention for the higher play-offs.
It's difficult to play against these city teams they play a hard, fast game of football every weekend and for our guys it gives you an idea where they sit in quality in terms of where city and state is concerned.
- Central West coach Phil English
A powerful Harlequins Victoria side got the better of the Baby Bulls on Sunday morning though, edging home 21-5.
That resigned Central West to third in pool A and pitted them against Randwick in Sunday afternoon's sixth play-off game, the Baby Bulls winning that 17-10 to qualify for Monday's ninth-place play-off.
"They (Central West) were excellent," Central West coach Phil English said, speaking after the side's opening loss to Parramatta.
"I think as a team they all stood up. We spoke about three things, mind speed, pushing that breakdown and playing our game plan and I think they all did all three incredibly well."
"The Orange boys did incredibly well, they were really passionate about doing well and proud to be playing at home."
English said he loved the tournament was able to continue returning to Orange and the new hosts Orange City had done a "fantastic job" after co-hosting the tournament with Emus in years past.
"It's just a really, really enjoyable tournament to come along to," English said.
"You're always learning as players, we've learned from the last couple of years we've been down here.
"It's difficult to play against these city teams they play a hard, fast game of football every weekend and for our guys it gives you an idea where they sit in quality in terms of where city and state is concerned."