DEFYING a disjointed lead-up and a lack of consistency through the opening stages of the Blowes Clothing Cup, Orange City ran rings around the Parkes Boars at Pride Park on Saturday.
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The Lions ran in more than a dozen tries to demoralise the understrength Boars, winning 85-10.
Incredibly, Orange City actually trailed Parkes at one point too.
“Yeah, we did. Parkes actually got on the board with a penalty goal very quickly,” Lions skipper John Colgan laughed.
“It was very pleasing to see us finally, finally put it all together but even so we won’t be taking too much out of it, we know that’s not Parkes’ strongest side.
“I’m not sure what’s going on there, but their second grade side actually beat ours and I know there’s some serious players down in reserves. But, we can only beat what’s in front of us.”
Fullback Keegan Harding crossed for a hat-trick in the victory while wingers Taylor Smith and Cameron Cole also scored multiple five-pointers.
“They all got a few, all three were very strong too,” Colgan said.
“Coley won our players’ player as well, he was fantastic.
“Joey Lasagavibau was really good too, he had a good time. He actually made it over the line and passed it to a couple of other guys to score as well.
“Worst luck though, he gave Mitch Pearce a try. He hadn’t scored up until then.”
After Parkes hit the lead with an early penalty goal Orange City took control of the game and never let up.
The Lions piled on 40 unanswered points before half-time before running in another 45 in the second period.
“They kicked the penalty early, then we got the ball,” Colgan said.
“We never really gave it up after that, it was really pleasing to see us actually play some expansive footy and also to see our backs finally show what they can really do.
“With the byes and then that week off after our Mudgee game was cancelled it was actually just nice to get on the paddock and play really.”
Considering Parkes’ strength, or lack thereof, Colgan refused to say the victory was the start of Orange City’s return their form of old, but he did admit it’s a great starting point.
“It was a really positive performance. I think the best way to put it is to say it’s the first time this season we’ve shown that we can be that kind of team, and performed close to our potential,” he said.
“But, we did this in round one against Parkes as well and then stuttered a bit in the weeks after that so we’ll work hard to make sure we can stay consistent from here.
“We’ve panicked when the better sides have put some points on us, but [on Saturday] we didn’t panic at all. We were relaxed, played really good footy and just enjoyed it.”