RUGBY UNION
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DUBBO Kangaroos brought Orange City's Blowes Clothing Cup undefeated run to a screaming halt on Saturday.
The Roos were able to pile on 33 unanswered points in the opening half at Pride Park, before finishing 47-12 winners.
The last time the Lions lost a game was in the 2011 preliminary final when they were toppled by Parkes
Since then Orange City have taken out the 2012 and 2013 premierships without losing a game, and score a miracle 17-16 in over Parkes in this year's season opener.
However, there was nothing stopping the Kangaroos on Saturday.
"We were a bit disjointed last week," Roos coach Paul Hennock said of his side's season opening 2-16 win over Narromine.
"I guess things weren't clicking and things weren't gelling. Today they gelled."
It took some time for the Roos to settle into the game, even after Scott Burgess kicked a penalty goal in the first minute.
Winger James Mata was the first to score for Dubbo in the 14th minute and that seemed to kick-start his side.
From there, outside centre Filisione Pauta, fullback Burgess, inside centre Max Ma'Anelson and five-eighth Ted Bates were all able to pile on five pointers, with Burgess converting just one try.
With two minutes left in the opening half, Mata kicked a penalty goal from the halfway line to take his side's lead to 33-0 at the break.
The Roos kept their momentum going in the second half with Mata scoring his second, before flanker Brad Pugh also barged his way over.
Two more conversions from Burgess made it 47-0 after 51 minutes, but, from there, things tightened up as both sides tried to dominate play.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock Burgess was given a yellow card for a high tackle and the Lions took advantage of the extra man.
City was able to get more possession and tested the Kangaroos' defence before centre Sam Dwyer was able to finally crack it and score in the 72nd minute.
The home side was determined to play the game out and winger Cameron Cole ran in a five-pointer with three minutes left on the clock.
Duncan Young's conversion meant the Roos only won the second half 14-12.
However, the final score was well and truly in Dubbo's favour.
"It's good to do so well after our close one last week," Hennock said.
The Kangaroos coach admitted he hadn't spoken to his players about trying to end the Lions' unbeaten run.
"I tried to keep it out of the equation," he explained.
Pauta was outstanding for the Roos, exposing the Lions' defensive lapses and using his strong running to make them pay.
Simon Hegarty and Ned Williams also performed well.
The competition will have a general bye this weekend for Easter before returning on April 26 when the Roos will take on the Bathurst Bulldogs.