SIXTY minutes, 102 points, 11 different try scorers.
It was hardly the tough encounter against stiff opposition that the Central West under 20s were looking for on Saturday at Bathurst’s KC Laird Field as they capped off their Country Championships preparations with a dominant 102-0 victory over Penrith Emus.
The hosts scored at more than a point a minute as they completely dominated their rivals, flying Bulldogs winger Ryan McCarthy certainly enjoying the outing as he finished with a hat-trick of tries for the match.
At the completion of the first 20-minute third it was clear Central West were headed for a commanding victory as they ran in five tries. By the end of the second period the score had blown out to 57-0 even with positional changes being made.
Still, Central West co-coach Matt McRobert was pleased with how his players kept their focus, intensity and structure for all but the dying minutes as they look towards this Saturday’s Country Championships opener against New England.
“We got not a hell of a lot out of that to be quiet honest, it’s a bit disappointing, although that is strange to say when you win 102-0,” McRobert said.
“It was good there was no dip in performance even though we changed combinations pretty much constantly. The boys did exactly what was asked of them, they took instruction well and they finished strongly.
“I am very pleased with that aspect of it, certainly their application and their attitude was first class.”
With players looking to pushing their claims for a place in the starting 15 for the clash with New England, the focus amongst the Central West squad was evident from the start.
The first try came through quick hands and the sheer speed of McCarthy, but the second five-pointer the hosts laid on was a fine example of the work between backs and forwards.
Sucking in the Penrith defence as they strung together five phases, the ball was then spread out to the waiting backs and it was fullback Bryce Williams who capitalised as he stepped his way through.
While not getting his name on the scoreboard, Canowindra’s Ron Lawrence shone at loosehead prop, his ability to bust the Penrith line setting up the next two tries as Central West skipped out to a 19-0 lead at the first break.
Penrith enjoyed their first attacking football in the second period when Central West put their opening kick-off out on the full, but the hosts soon forced a turnover and were straight back on the attack.
Coaches McRobert and Brian Roberson took the opportunity to make changes and many of those who had started on the bench seized their chance, Dakota Brown, Luke Wilson and Daniel Lamb all getting their name on the scoresheet as Central West surged to a 59-0 lead.
The final period saw Central West run in seven more tries, Bathurst’s Alex Grant’s effort impressing as he scored following a kick-off while it was Grenfell’s Lachlan Martens who brought up the century when he crossed after the siren.
“We are looking to do the simple things really well, execute when we get the chance and not dwell on mistakes if we make them, but to instead concentrate on the next thing,” McRobert said.
“At this stage we are pretty happy with the way we are playing.
“Certainly some guys we were worried about stepped up today. Some of the guys who we had originally pictured on the bench were just outstanding today and amongst our best, it will make selecting the starting side very difficult, but it’s a wonderful problem to have.”
CENTRAL WEST UNDER 20s 102 (Ryan McCarthy 3, Dakota Brown 2, Luke Wilson 2, Bryce Williams 2, Duncan Young, Geoff Westcott, Daniel Lamb, Kalepo Lepou-Fiapito, Alex Grant, Sammee Hutchins, Lachlan Martens tries; Will Oldham 6, Duncan Young 4, Luke Wilson conversions) defeated PENRITH EMUS 0
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