By MARK CASHMAN

Google up the city of Cowra and you will find that it is a major population centre in the central west of NSW, 310km west of Sydney, 189km north of the nation’s capital, known for its zen cemetery, fertile farmlands, vineyards, good restaurants and galleries.

On a rugby front the Cowra Eagles have been a major force in the local club competition, the Blowes Cup in recent years, the Cowra 10s is considered an early season essential in most parts of NSW and the ACT, while “locals” Hugh, Hamish and Angus Sinclair have been making their skills known with both the Waratahs and Northern Suburbs.

But the jewel of the Central West gave a couple of busloads of players from Shute Shield clubs Eastwood and Norths an education in what club footy was once all about and can be again.

The Cowra Eagles hosted the two clubs for the weekend during Round Four of the Shute Shield with first and reserve grade as well as first grade colts playing at what is affectionately called The Eagles Nest.