Saints coach Kurt Hancock labelled the performance as one of his team’s worst this year.

“We weren’t on mentally today. You could see that in our game, right from the get-go. I’m still trying to figure out how we scored 26 points, and by rights I think the score should have been 54-0,” he said.

“It’s a positive to still come up with 26 points but … it’s still a big dent in the pride. As soon as we leave these dressing sheds we’ve got to forget about what’s happened here.

“That’s our first bad game of the year – collectively as a group. We did it all at once, which is a bit disappointing. There was no thought in our game whatsoever today and it showed in our defence early on.”

Pat’s have had no answer for Panthers this season and it continued on Sunday.

The Saints’ loss follows earlier 30-22 and 20-14 derby defeats to Panthers.

Pat’s now play host to an in-form and dangerous Mudgee Dragons, who were far too good for Oberon in Saturday’s elimination final.

“Defensively we’ve got to be way better. If we don’t get up for the game the scoreline could be very similar to here,” Hancock said.

“I have no doubt they will turn it around. We’re still confident in the playing group that we’ve got … but that will hurt them today.”