The Bathurst side were never headed in the one-sided affair, leading from start to finish in an impressive display that realistically could have yielded an even more lopsided scoreline.

It was their sixth win so far this season and draws them level on points with Souths – only two losses have blighted their campaign so far.

Redbacks were not expected to offer too stiff a challenge to the high-flying blue and whites, and having just a solitary draw to show for their season so far showed why.

On the sand-based surface though and without several regulars, St Pat’s coach Niel Howard was still pleased with the win and the manner in which it was achieved.

“It was a good win but I think we still relaxed too much in patches and let them get a couple of goals,” Howard said.

“We led all the way and never looked like getting beaten at all. We threw the ball around a fair bit and took the opportunity to try a few things, we had a few guys out as well so we did a good job.”

St Pat’s will now have the task of taking down Panthers this Saturday, something that no-one has managed to do all season, and they will have to do it without some of their key players.

Three of their young stars will be out due to a representative trip to South Africa – in-form Sam Macpherson, Luke Thorncraft and Murray Bennett will all be unavailable.

“Saturday was a good hit-out for the Panthers match, but we will be without those three guys so it will be a tough match,” Howard said.