BOWRAL will face a two-leg showdown with Kiama in the next month to determine their Illawarra rugby finals fate. But whether or not they keep their place in the final four, the season will be marked as a remarkable success for the club.
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After years in the doldrums, coach Gene Fairbanks and president and tighthead prop Mark Freund have led the Blacks’ resurgence the be a force again.
Bowral host Camden on Saturday, before a trip to Nowra is sandwiched in between their defining dates against Kiama. “We’ve already achieved our goals this season,” Fairbanks said.
“But we’ve set some new goals along the way and the players are rising to the challenge.
“The town is excited about coming down to watch the boys play again, it’s exciting.
“Playing finals would be a reward for all the players who had to play two grades on the one day every week during the tough days the club’s been through.”
One point ahead of Kiama on the ladder, with Vikings also still in the mix for fourth, bonus points could prove crucial in the run to finals. Centre Feterika Sage, teenage flanker Jack Parsons and Sydney talent George Harrison and Dan Collins have been the Bowral standouts.
ILLAWARRA RUGBY
Round 16
Saturday (3pm): BOWRAL v CAMDEN at Eridge Park, CAMPBELLTOWN v AVONDALE at Campbelltown Showground, TECH-WARATAHS v SHAMROCKS at Saunders Oval, VIKINGS v UNIVERSITY at Vikings Oval; SHOALHAVEN v KIAMA at Shoalhaven Rugby Park (1.10pm).