The Dubbo Rhinos were again left to lament errors at key times on Saturday following a defeat to the Parkes Boars.
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The Boars remain unbeaten at the top of the ladder after scoring a 45-27 win in an entertaining New Holland Agriculture Cup match.
A slow start and some basic errors which led to Parkes tries was the problem for the Rhinos, who remain sitting in fourth.
"We didn't start well, but just before half time we brought it back to 14-10, before we did a couple of stupid things in our own 22 that gifted them two tries," Rhinos coach Doug Sandry said.
"You're just not going to win games of football like that."
The Rhinos have just the two wins to their name this season but, as shown during patches on Saturday, they're capable of mixing it with the best teams in the competition.
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It's something Sandry wants his players to truly realise, as well.
"I definitely can't fault the effort of the boys, I just think we fell away from our structure...there might have been a few boys trying to add to their own points tally instead of spreading the ball," he said.
"We're a good side, I just don't think the boys realise just how good they can be."
Boars winger Luke Hitchcock scored a hat-trick in the 45-27 victory while the 'Welsh Wizard' Luke Bevan pulled the strings from flyhalf in another impressive performance.
But despite the win, captain-coach Josh Miles felt there was plenty of room for improvement.
"We were really good in some patches but it comes down to a bit of complacency," he said after the win.
"We've got a lot to work on, we just need to get to training and rip in - the boys need to be pushing for their spots and not getting complacent."
Dale Smith was again strong at fullback for the Rhinos and scored in the first half to keep his side in touch.
Nash Forgione, Kelevi Ralulu, Neal Madden, and Teahu Baker also crossed but it wasn't enough for the Rhinos.
The day belonged the Boars and, in particular, winger Hitchcock.
Two of his three tries were long-range efforts and his stunning performance keeps the Boars on track for the minor premiership.
"Every time we moved the ball well, we looked like scoring but we've just gotta go for the full 80 - it comes to attitude at the end of the day," Miles added.
The Rhinos now head into the bye next weekend before having back-to-back home games against the Mudgee Wombats and CSU Bathurst.
Parkes travels to Mudgee next weekend while Narromine will host CSU.