FOUR tries from hooker Nick Loader helped Bathurst Panthers record a convincing 53-12 opening round Group 10 premier league victory over Orange Hawks yesterday.
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In perfect conditions at Orange’s Wade Park, the visitors ran in six second half four-pointers to secure an impressive first-up win over the two blues, Loader’s uncanny ability to back-up the ball carrier netting him three of his four tries.
Loader’s first try came in the ninth minute, when he scurried 10 metres to dive over from acting half.
His second came when he latched on to a wonderful offload from Greg Beahan, and then he had two perfectly timed passes from fullback Jeremy Gordon for his third and fourth four-pointers.
“We used him a bit last year and he broke his hand halfway through the season ... he was outstanding for us then and I think he’s only going to get better and better,” Panthers captain-coach Todd Barrow said.
“The attitude all pre-season has been really good. Everyone has been turning up for one another. We’re really close and it’s starting to show on the field.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do, as all clubs do this time of year, but it’s looking good.”
Panthers didn’t have it all their own way in the opening half, though.
After Loader’s first try, Hawks got into the grind and hit back on the scoreboard thanks to some stunning work from centre Viane Falaniko.
The former Queensland Cup gun produced a Matt Gidley-like flick pass for Brodie Christopherson, who ran 40 metres untouched to score the two blues’ first try of the season.
Captain-coach Jason Gangaram slotted the extras and it was 6-all after 30 minutes.
Eager to regain the ascendency, Panthers lifted a gear and Leigh Monaghan scored a soft try before Loader nabbed his second, Jye Barrow bagging both conversions to kick the visitors out to an 18-6 lead at the halftime break.
It’s far from the ideal start for Gangaram’s Hawks, but the first-time mentor was quick to take the positives out of the round one bust-up – and, if there were any, it was his side’s youth.
“They played unreal, stepped up and didn’t let us down at all,” he said.
BATHURST PANTHERS 53 (Nick Loader 4, Blake Lawson 2, Mitch Davis, Leigh Monaghan, Jedd Betts tries; Jye Barrow 8 goals; Jeremey Gordon field goal) defeated ORANGE HAWKS 12 (Sam Satongo, Brodie Christopherson tries; Jason Gangaram 2 goals)
