NSW Country representative duo Peter Nau and Filisione Pauta showed their worth on Saturday as the Dubbo Kangaroos got past the Narromine Gorillas in an entertaining local derby at Cale Oval.
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The match was far from certain as it entered the final 10 minutes but Nau was on hand to score a crucial try and seal a 30-26 win.
"I would have liked in the second half to put another try on to get away from them but they don't let you do that," Dubbo coach Paul Hennock said, before turning his attention to Nau and Pauta.
"They were very strong and they're leaders and Scotty Burgess at number 10. Today could have been a day he got caught up with the emotion but he didn't, he played really well."
Youngster Bryce Williams was making his debut at scrum-half for the Roos while Burgess was going up against his old side and he was the constant centre of the attention from the bumper crowd at Cale Oval.
The match began in a typically physical fashion but the Roos overcame that to post the first try through an all too familiar rampaging run from Pauta.
The talented centre went on to set up another two tries in the match and Narromine captain-coach Greg Wynn said his side put in one of their better performances but still couldn't stop the representative star.
"There's plenty of positives that we can take out of it, I think we matched them in most aspects," Wynn said.
"I think our scrum was good. Our lineout was good and so were our rolling mauls and set pieces, but a lot of credit has got to go to their number 13.
"Filisione was probably the difference today. His ability to bust a tackle and break the line was what set them apart from us."
After Pauta's early try the Roos followed with another immediately as a clever offload from James Mata led to Brad Pugh scoring before the Gorillas worked their way into the match and hit back through a try to Michael Harris.
Ted Bates cut through the Gorillas defence five minutes later and passed to Pauta who in turn found fullback Mata in support for the Roos' third try but Burgess was again unsuccessful with the conversion.
The five-eighth found his range just before half-time and kicked a penalty to have the score at 18-7 at the break.
Narromine tries to Craig Duff and Dan Maroulis were sandwiched by Dubbo winger Tom Symonds finishing off a flowing backline move to have the score at 23-19 entering the final 10 minutes.
With the match in the balance Roos skipper Nau put his side in good field position with a strong run and grubber kick on halfway and barely a minute later he was on hand to barge his way over the line and set up a match-winning 30-19 lead.
Lachie McCutcheon scored a late consolation try but the Roos hung on and set up a blockbuster clash with Orange City at No. 1 Oval next Saturday.
"On the whole very happy to come away from Narromine with some points," Hennock said.
"But the scrum is still a worry, the lineout is good but we've got some work to do on the scrum."
o DUBBO KANGAROOS 30 (Filisione Pauta, Brad Pugh, James Mata, Tom Symonds, Peter Nau tries; Burgess 1 goal, 1 penalty) def NARROMINE GORILLAS 24 (Michael Harris, Craig Duff, Dan Maroulis, Lachie McCutcheon tries; Tom Harrison 2 goals)
