ORANGE City scored their third consecutive gigantic win on Saturday afternoon, defying unavailability and a resulting reshuffle to thump the Dubbo Rhinos 70-12 at Pride Park.
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Missing regular centres Sam Dwyer and Joe Lasagavibau the Lions piled on 35 points to none in the opening 40 minutes and then scored another 35 in the second period, while Rhinos managed two consolation tries in the back end of the game.
But, as assistant coach Josh Maley said, when you’re up by so much you can forgive one or two defensive lapses.
Orange City’s enthusiasm and physicality proved far too much for Rhinos in the opening stages, so much so Maley labelled his side’s first 20 minutes “outstanding”.
“We did start very well, we had bit of lapse in the middle period but then we finished really strongly too,” he explained.
Combined with the side’s 85-10 win over Parkes and 43-12 victory over CSU Bathurst, Saturday’s thumping was the Lions’ third straight win by 31 points or more.
“To be fair, they all came against teams in the bottom part of the ladder,” Maley said.
“But it is a really good foundation for us to build from going into the last month or so of the season, when we’ll face some pretty tough sides.
“It was really good to see our attacking structures come together again.”
Cameron Cole scored multiple tries again while Maley was most impressed with Liam Hanly, who was promoted from colts and started in the centres with regular flanker Duncan Young.
“We can put Duncan anywhere, we know that, he was strong in the centres,” Maley said.
“But Liam, it was great to see him come into the side with some pretty big shoes to fill and not just play well, but actually stand out in that kind of win.
“We had a few other colts come up and run off the bench too, they all did well and young Lachie Stewart was really good at halfback again.
“It’s good to know we can call on these guys later in the season if need be.”
Maley credited the Rhinos despite the drubbing, a side which was coming into the game on the back of its first two wins of the season – over CSU Bathurst and Parkes.
“They never gave up, you've got the give them that,” Maley said.
“They had a few guys who had backed up from second grade though, I think that had plenty to do with it.”
ORANGE CITY LIONS 70 def DUBBO RHINOS 12