DUBBO Kangaroos have worked their way into the Blowes Clothing Cup's top five, but whether they remain there will depend on how they handle a tricky month of football ahead.
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The Roos were patchy in a 31-5 win over fierce rivals Narromine on Saturday, with the five-tries-to-one result not a true indication of the game.
In typical fashion, the Gorillas came to No.1 Oval keen on spoiling the Roos' time with the ball, and they were particularly fierce at the breakdown, trying to frustrate a Dubbo side boosted by the recent return of star centre Filisione Pauta.
"They made it tough for us all day. In the end 31-5 probably didn't show how tough it was," Roos skipper Shaun McHugh said.
"We didn't get many chances but the good thing was we were able to take them when they did come.
"All year I think our breakdown has probably been a bit of a weakness, and they tested us there today but we stood up when we needed to."
With matches against Orange City, Bathurst and Orange Emus coming up, Saturday's match was one the Roos needed to win and they started well with tries to Hena Tuatea and James Gilmore either side of a five-pointer to Narromine flyer DJ Gordon giving them a 12-5 lead after a bruising opening quarter of the match.
The margin was pushed out to 12 points right on the stroke of half-time when Moa Kavaefiafi scored his first try for the afternoon.Narromine had their chances in the early stages of the second stanza, mostly out wide through the flashy Gordon, whose speed and agility was a worry for the Roos every time he touched the ball.
But when Kavaefiafi bagged his second it put the game out of reach for the Gorillas and also gave Dubbo a valuable four-try bonus point.
Big back-rower John Korff barged over 10 minutes from time to cap a day that saw the home side win all three grades contested.
With Mudgee falling to Parkes, the Roos now sit in fifth spot as they look to defend their Blowes Clothing Cup title.
McHugh said afterwards the challenge of heading to Orange to face the ladder-leading Lions is one he is looking forward to.
"In the first round we lost against City, Bathurst and Emus but I think we're a better side now than we were then so we head into this stretch hoping for better results," he said.
"Playing City down in Orange next week will be a chance to see how much we have improved over the past two or three months.
"If we can come through this tough little stretch and still be in the top five then we can make a push for the finals and hopefully give ourselves a chance to win it again."
DUBBO KANGAROOS 31 (Moa Kavaefiafi 2, Hena Tuatea, James Gilmore, John Korff tries; James Mata 3 convs) def NARROMINE GORILLAS 5 (DJ Gordon try)
