IT has been a tough journey for CSU so far this Central West Rugby Union first grade season, but on Saturday they finally had something to celebrate – their first win.

Playing against the only side to have had a tougher start to 2015 than themselves, the Narromine Gorillas, CSU posted a 36-12 victory at University Oval.

A mixture of resolute defence and better discipline kept CSU in front from the 30th minute onwards.

The Gorillas did start well enough to be ahead 7-0 for the opening 26 minutes, but a run of penalties and two quick tries helped CSU get back into the match.

From there the students controlled the breakdown well and, despite struggling with their line-outs and having Narromine controlling possession for large periods, did enough to get home.

While CSU coach James McLaren thought the performance was weaker than what his side produced a week earlier when losing to Parkes, he believed the result could be what the students need to turn their season around.

“In that first half we struggled to get through at least four phases I think. That made things very difficult. I think in comparison to last week, there we turned a corner with our defence and probably played a bit better though we lost,” he said.

“There’s still plenty to work on, but it was very satisfying for them. They really needed this one as well. Another round with a loss might have made it a very long, hard season. I’m really trying to drive into them that you can’t get bored doing the simple things.”

While they are now the only winless side in first grade, Gorillas coach Greg Wynn still saw positives for his side.

“I thought we started really well. I was happy with the set pieces, line-outs and scrums. We put a lot of pressure on their forward pack and we came away with some points early. We went away from our game plan in the middle part of the game and we couldn’t match the speed and fitness of the students,” he said.

“Full credit to the CSU boys, they played well and deserved to win. I guess there’s some shining light there in some aspects. We had the possession, but we just couldn’t turn it into points.”

Another tough day at the office looked likely for CSU when they knocked-on from the kickoff and minutes later the Gorillas grabbed a converted try.

But a penalty got CSU back into the Gorillas’ half and from the resulting scrum came a strong run from captain Blake Ridges.

With the ball initially spread out to the short side, it was then sent back towards the middle where a Ridges step put him into space. He beat several players to get the students’ first points.

Soon after another penalty had CSU near the Gorillas’ 22 metre line. A cheeky Nick Dutton tap-and-run then put the hosts ahead.

Ridges was at it again just before half-time when he split Narromine’s defence, this time linking up with James Tooth. He in turn found Michael Holt, who scored in the left corner to make it 19-7.

The points kept coming following the break, Holt crossing for his second.

Tooth joined the scorers’ list when a Cam Backhouse pass put him into a gap close to the line with 30 minute remaining.

While the Gorillas enjoyed the bulk of possession from that point onwards, they did keep themselves in the match with a Kane Fernando try.

However, a Backhouse field goal, scraping the crossbar on its way home, was the icing on the cake for the home side.

CSU 36 (Michael Holt 2, Blake Ridges, Nick Dutton, James Tooth tries; Charlie McIntosh 4 conversions; Cam Backhouse field goal) defeated NARROMINE GORILLAS 12 (Ryan Pratten, Kane Fernando tries; Henry Buttsworth conversion)