“It was a win.”
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Dubbo College rugby league coach Craig May put it simply but it perfectly described his side’s performance in Thursday’s Astley Cup rugby league match with Bathurst High School.
Despite possessing a side stacked with Western Rams players and a host of other talents, Dubbo began well but struggled for consistency in the second half during a 26-18 victory.
Many predicted a dominant Dubbo performance, one that could possibly rekindle any hope of a stunning Astley Cup victory, but a powerful hat-trick to NSW Country representative Luke Gale and some brave on-line defence late in the match was the only real highlight.
“We showed a lot of courage having to defend for most of that second half but we played some dumb football,” May said.
“We gave a lot of dumb penalties away and at 22-6 two minutes before half time we were well-placed and in control of the game. We made a break but went out, they turned around and scored right on half time and in the second half we could never get anything going.”
While Gale was a powerhouse for Dubbo, Bathurst’s star men Riley Cheshire, a man mountain in the front row, and Brayden Wicks were also standouts.
The Bathurst side never gave up hope, even though alarm bells were ringing early when Dubbo shot out to a 10-0 lead inside six minutes.
Cheshire’s ability to offload was outstanding all match while Wicks’ kicking game and sharp cut out passes also impressed.
“It was a gallant effort from the boys,” Bathurst coach Lachlan Blaikie said.
“We’re down a couple of troops today but the boys dug in and I’m very proud of the efforts.
“We said to the boys, if they could stick in there and then match them and I thought we hung in there really well and to come away with that result we’re pretty pleased.”
The game was only four minutes old when Gale barged over for his first, running off a smart ball from Jai Merritt to put his side in front.
Merritt missed the conversion but nailed the next attempt just two minutes later when a flowing attacking during the first set following the kick off was finished by Zarrin Galea.
Wicks darted over well from dummyhalf to get his side on the board but Dubbo was back in control soon after when Merritt ran the ball and eased his way over.
The sin binning of James ‘Busta’ Nelson for tackling a Bathurst player off the ball when destined to score didn’t halt Dubbo’s momentum with Gale showing great strength again to set up a 22-6 lead after 26 minutes.
But right on the siren Cheshire went on a rampaging run and scored to make it 26-12.
Gale scored six minutes into the second half to seal his hat-trick but errors and ill discipline crept in Dubbo’s game and Dylan Dukes scored for Bathurst off a smart chip kick from Wicks.
Dubbo then had Blaine Gordon binned for swearing after being penalised while in possession and while Bathurst continued to hammer the tryline, the defence held firm.
“We gave away too many penalties even when we had the ball, we had a few blokes in the sin bin and it was messy but it was a win so we’ll take it,” May said.
DUBBO COLLEGE 26 (Luke Gale 3, Zarrin Galea, Jai Merritt tries; Merritt 3 goals) defeated BATHURST HIGH 18 (Brayden Wicks, Riley Cheshire, Dylan Dukes tries; Wicks 3 goals)