SUNDAY afternoon wasn’t an easy one for the embattled Orange Hawks as the two blues were severely outclassed by Bathurst St Pat’s, leaking 58 points and scoring just six in a Group 10 premier league thumping at Wade Park.
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It wasn’t for lack of trying on Hawks’ behalf, even St Pat’s coach Kurt Hancock was impressed with the two blues’ never-say-die attitude, but they simply couldn’t keep up with the clinical Saints unit.
Antonio and Cyp Ale both scored doubles, as did Hudson White, as their St Pat’s side ran in 11 tries to one in the 52-point shellacking.
“Hawks never gave up, they deserve credit for that. I feel for them after this year,” Hancock said.
“The win’s pleasing. We’d changed a few things during the week to straighten up our attack and that seemed to work, it came together but our start was still fairly off the pace for us.
“Once we got into the game we were good but our intensity at the start needs to be tidied up.”
Tim Collins, Brady Cheshire, both Ale brothers, Demetrius Ainuu and White all crossed in the opening half to see St Pat’s lead 32-0 at half-time.
White and Antonio Ale both scored straight after half-time before Brodie Christopherson crossed for Hawks’ only try of the game.
After that Shannon Peters, Cyp Ale and Travis Warinara ran in tries and Gary Reilly’s seven conversions pushed the score out to 58-6 at full-time.
Hawks coach Jason Gangaram said plenty of factors impacted his side’s performance, but the fact the two blues hadn’t played for a month was the most obvious.
“The month we’ve had off showed there,” he said.
“It all comes down to match fitness for us, St Pat’s played a few games during that period and we didn’t. It showed.
“You know, Hawks never seem to have much luck whether it be the weather, or the bounce of the ball or even calls sometimes.
“We had three tries disallowed in that game and bombed another one as well.
“I still don’t think we’re far off to be honest. There's periods where we’re playing really well and getting a roll-on we just can’t seem to keep that up for any real length of time.
“But the boys aren't quitting, they’re turning up for each other and that’s a real positive.”
In terms of the difference between the two sides on Sunday, Gangaram highlighted St Pat’s ability to play the ball quickly as the deciding factor.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to in Group 10 says the same thing about them, they play the ball quickly, that’s where the danger is. It’s true, we found that out [on Sunday],” Gangaram said.
“And then when you’ve guys like (St Pat’s hooker) Benjamin John sniping around the ruck, he just tears you to shreds when he wants to.”
Despite being on the end of a shellacking Gangaram reserved special praise for Hawks skipper Max Wolfson, lock Nick Wilson and fullback Jedd Kennedy.
“Maxy was phenomenal, he played out of his skin,” Gangaram said.
“He racked up something like 43 tackles out there and just kept going. Nick was another, he played lock in place of Nathan Potts and did a great job.”
Hancock made special mention of Kennedy too.
“I knew Jedd was good, but he was something else out there [on Sunday],” Hancock said.
“To be beaten by that much and still not just stand out but possibly be the best player on the field anyway, that’s a big thing.”
BATHURST ST PAT’S 58 (Antonio Ale 2, Cyp Ale 2, Hudson White 2, Demetrius Ainuu, Shannon Peters, Travis Warinara, Brady Cheshire, Tim Collins tries; Gary Reilly 7 goals) def ORANGE HAWKS 6 (Brodie Christopherson try, goal)