The Wellington Cowboys are starting to show what they're capable of, with Saturday night's win making it three straight victories for the men in maroon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After starting the Group 11 season with back-to-back losses, the Cowboys showed their strength across the park last round when handing Nyngan a first loss for the campaign.
And they followed that win up in style on Saturday, handing the Macquarie Raiders a 48-10 defeat at Kennard Park.
"We're starting to gel," coach Justin Toomey-White said, his side having gone on an impressive recruitment drive in the off-season.
"We're still nowhere near where we need to be as a collective but we're really heading in the right direction.
"Only letting 10 points in, that's the good thing as coach. We played off the back of our defence."
RELATED:
The Cowboys were ready for a fired-up Raiders outfit as the Dubbo team made the trip across in a confident mood after a 126-0 win over Macquarie the week before.
But it was the hosts who made the early statement, and with Wellington junior and NRL star Blake Ferguson watching on the Cowboys quickly established a strong 22-0 lead.
But the visitors then clicked into gear and the sheer amount of attacking talent began to shine.
Dalton Medcalf scored a quickfire double, both eye-catching tries that seemingly signalled the Raiders were getting back into the game.
But the 12-point margin at that stage was as close as Macquarie would get.
"There was some lapses and they scored twice but we spoke about how we take pride in our defence," Toomey-White said.
"We got back into the game and were able to put on some late tries."
Outside backs Will Lousick and CJ Ralph both scored doubles in the win while an another dominant showing from the forward and impact from the bench - which was needed when Dennis Moran spent time off the field injured - was also key.
"Brock Naden keeps finding his own at right centre, as well. He was a standout," Toomey-White added.
"We've been talking for a couple of weeks now about setting a standard as a pack ... the whole team as a collective did a job."
Off the field, Ferguson proved a hit with fans of all ages and helped sell raffle tickets after bringing a signed Parramatta jersey to the game.
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our newsletters here:
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
