A strong majority of the players were members of the St John’s rugby union side who took out the Vincent Fester Shield in Bathurst on Sunday, but to produce a winning double just three days later proved to be a difficult challenge.

Despite his side’s efforts coach Andy Haycock said St Joseph’s were a class act yesterday.

“The result proves that the other side were the better and we knew they would come out strong,” he said.

“We are disappointed not to win, but the effort level was there from our boys and they did well.

“They (St Joseph’s) got on a couple of rolls through the middle of the game which saw them produce a few tries and we just couldn’t create any substantial pressure in order to ask questions of them.”

With a first half try to winger Kurtis Crisante, all was not lost for St John’s at half-time as they trailed by just 14-4.

“We were defending for most of the first half in our territory,” Haycock said.

“We played 25 minute halves and I’d say we spent all of that first half, bar three minutes without the ball so it was a lot of hard work.

“At the beginning of the first half they put in another try and that really allowed them to gain the confidence needed to take out the match.”

Centre Nick Harvey put in the most outstanding performance for St John’s and his efforts, which included a second-half try, earned him the man of the match award.

Mitch Dunlop crossed for St John’s in the closing minutes of the game but it was not enough for the Dubbo boys as they graciously took second place.