The undefeated, competition-leading Orange Emus are one win away from securing the Blowes Clothing Cup minor premiership after scoring their 15th straight victory of the season on Saturday, over a plucky CSU Bathurst side.
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With the 48-3 victory, Emus maintain their 14-point buffer from second-placed Dubbo Kangaroos and if, as expected, the reigning two-time champions account for Parkes next start that lead will become an unassailable one.
Despite the scoreline suggesting Saturday’s victory over the students was an easy one, Emus coach Paul Ringland said it was anything but.
He heaped praise on the students, who have surged in recent weeks after a tumultuous start to 2017.
“CSU played really well, they stuck it to us for a lot of that game I think our fitness just showed in the end,” Ringland said.
“We were quite impressed with them. For a side that can’t make the finals they’re getting themselves up for these games really well, which can be tough to do late in seasons.
“In terms of us, we’re pleased with the performance, especially defensively.
“CSU threw it around and tested us, so for us to hold them out and not let them score a try, that’s pleasing.”
The Mitchell Men’s mentor, Scott Hatch, was also pleased with side’s effort, conceding the greens were simply too classy.
“I thought we were good, we just need to keep building and finish well now,” he said.
“We seem to rise up to these games against Emus, (Dubbo) ‘Roos and the like, then drop off against the others sides, which isn’t ideal.
“But really, Emus were just too good. We spoke at half-time about trying to slow the play down, because Emus were just so quick with the ball. We just couldn’t really do that.”
Emus only led 22-3 at that half-time break after, thanks to an early Jack Keppel penalty goal, trailing the students 3-0 for some time.
Keppel nailed the penalty in the fourth minute, the students thoroughly out-enthusing Emus in the opening stages.
But when Tom Green scored for Emus in the 15th minute, the visitors kicked into gear.
Emus ran in another three tries in the first half – one to debutant Ted Hoskin-Murray – to lead 22-3 at the break.
The greens scored another four unanswered tries in the second half to secure the 45-point win.
However, the fact CSU couldn’t cross in the second stanza wasn’t through lack of effort or possession.
The students executed well with ball in hand and at times seriously threatened, they just couldn’t break through Emus’ wall.
The greens were best served, once again, by Lachie Harris and AJ Sykes while former Emu Sam Chamberlain was among the students’ best.
CSU fullback Lochie Robinson once again proved he wouldn’t be out of place in a Central West Blue Bulls jumper too, producing another scintillating performance from the back.
- ORANGE EMUS 48 (Tom Green 2, Lachie Harris, James Simmons, Ted Hoskins-Murray, Levi Russell, AJ Sykes, Rob Thorburn tries; Mitch Evers 2, Harris conv) def CSU BATHURST 3 (Jack Keppel pen)