CHARLES Sturt University Orange has become the Weevils’ latest GrainCorp Cup southern victim, the West Wyalong club proving too strong in a 36-14 result at CSU Oval on Saturday.

Against the top-of-the-table Weevils, and on a day Aggies raised in excess of $3500 for the McGrath Foundation, the students dug deep to inch within five points of the early-season favourite before the red and blacks used their size to punch through and secure the 22-point victory.

CSU Aggies player-president Blake Smoothy said he was rapt with the effort of his team to get back to 19-14 down inside the second half, and insists his team is one that this year looks likely to push the rest of the southern division for a place in the competition’s top five.

“In the first half we probably didn’t play as well as we know we can, but we really rallied after half-time,” Smoothy said, Molong thrashing Grenfell 70-0 and Blayney beating Canowindra 38-7 in the other two fixtures.

“We played good rugby and fought back, but once we got back into the grind and didn’t score, I think we dropped out heads.”

Smoothy said the likes of props Nick Ball and Justin Carter were strong for Aggies, while outside centre Pat Blackwell and five-eighth Alex Umbers led the charge out wide.

“But, defensively at least, I think we’ve got a bit of work to do,” he added.

Aggies donned pink jumpers for the occasion, and auctioned off the one-of-a-kind CSU Orange attire at the end of the match to help raise funds for the McGrath Foundation, a feat Smoothy says he and the rest of the Aggies boys are very proud of.

“It was a great day,” Smoothy said. 

“Each of the jerseys went for at least $150, which was great.”

CSU Orange now travels to Canowindra to play the Pythons and Smoothy believes the side’s round five clash is a great opportunity to chalk up this season’s second win.

“I think so, especially on the road. If we can get a few away wins then it’ll take the pressure of us at home later in the year,” he said.