As Stuart talked about the improvement of his side on the back of their first Blowes Clothing Cup win of the season, Hatch lamented a lost opportunity.

“We didn’t commit to the game,” Hatch said.

“It was ours to win and lose as far as I’m concerned. We have the talent, we have the ability, but we didn’t commit to the game.

“We just weren’t willing to go into contact and hang onto that ball.

“That tough stuff is what was needed today and the boys weren’t up to it.

“We should’ve won, so the boys are pretty hollow inside, as am I. I think we will use this as motivation to never feel that way again.”

CSU’s only try of the match came through Lachie Robinson in the first half while the Rhinos were a man short, centre Jovilisi Tawake having been yellow carded for a high tackle.

Though the students had periods when they dominated possession and held the territorial advantage – including a 20-minute stint in the second half camped inside Rhinos’ 22 – they could not capitalise.

“We know what we need to do, we just weren’t willing to do what was needed,” Hatch said.

As CSU went away empty-handed once more - the loss to Rhinos coming after defeat to Bulldogs in the season opener – the visitors were delighted to open their account.

Though it was scrappy, the Rhinos continued to give for the entire match. When the game was on the line in the second half following a 30-minute delay as a CSU player received medical attention, the Dubbo outfit was able to refocus.

“We did enough out there today, each week we want to get better and better. It was scrappy, but it was an improvement,” said Stuart, who a week earlier watched his side go down 68-3 to Orange Emus.

“We really, really are working on every aspect of the game as hard as we can this year. 

“It was hard to get them to focus after that break, but we stayed positive, we knew we were in the game and we always play to the end.”

Rhinos scored two tries in the first half, Collin Hokianga diving over after picking the ball up from the back of the ruck, while luck played a role in Kane Rich’s five-pointer.

It came as Rhinos won back possession from a Harris Solomon penalty goal attempt which saw the ball strike the upright.

Rhinos led 14-10 at the break and pushed that out early in the second half with a Solomon penalty.

While CSU got within four of the lead with 16 minutes to go, a Tyrell Tehiko effort killed off the challenge. He broke clear down the left wing from a penalty tap.

DUBBO RHINOS 25 (Collin Hokianga, Kane Rich, Tyrell Tehiko tries; Harris Solomon 2 penalties; Harris Solomon 2 goals) defeated CSU 13 (Lachie Robinon try; Jack Keppel 2 penalties; Jack Keppel goal)