ST Pat’s are out to avenge their Anzac Day defeat to Bathurst Panthers when the teams come together for their second derby game of the season on Sunday at Carrington Park.
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The Saints are somewhat football-starved after their previous match against the Cowra Magpies at the Sportsground was rained out, while Panthers come into the game off a 34-22 win over the Blayney Bears.
Pat’s coach Kurt Hancock said team must come out hungrier in the opening half than what they did in their 30-22 loss to Panthers earlier in the season.
“We’re going into this game fresh but I hope, without having a lot of ball work lately, that we’re ready for that first 20 to 25 minutes of the game,” he said.
“That’s where Panthers got us in the first game. They got into us early and they wore us down.
“Tony Clevin got sin binned at a crucial part of the game and that's when they got away from us.”
Panthers’ success in the April clash ended a seven-game streak for St Pat’s in the Bathurst derby.
If Pat’s want to reclaim their hold on the derby Hancock said his team need to prepare better in the centre of the park.
“Jeremy Gordon has probably been the form player of the competition over the last month. They also beat us through the middle and it’s no secret they’ll go for us there again,” he said.
“That game was probably the first hint during the season that we weren’t doing things right on the training paddock and that it was time to change things up.”
Depending on other results, the winner could find themselves on top of the table.
Hancock hopes both teams turn up and showcase Bathurst’s current strength in the Group 10 competition.
“There’s a lot of talk around town at the moment about the possibility of there being an all-Bathurst grand final this year,” he said.
“Any game between these two sides is always outstanding. There’s a lot of buzz around this match.”
Benjamin John, Adam Morton and Nathan Lawrence are unavailable this week for Pat’s. Mitch Squires takes the starting hooker spot and Curtis Boardman and Derryn Clayton move into the vacant wings.