PRIOR to kick off in Saturday's top of the table Blowes Clothing Cup match against Cowra, Bathurst Bulldogs coach Dean Oxley said he could feel in his bones something special would happen.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
His bones had it right as his Bulldogs ran in eight tries at Ashwood Park to sink the Eagles 52-12 and extend their unbeaten streak to eight games.
Unlike Bulldogs' 10-point round five win over Cowra when having to come from a half-time deficit to take the honours, this time the Bathurst outfit scored in the third minute via Brenton Gibson and was never headed.
"I'll take 52-12 every day of the week against a side who is coming second," Oxley said
"I just felt it in my bones during the week that something was going to happen today. We wanted the test, we were looking forward to the challenge, so were weren't nervous about this game.
"We were waiting for this game and were really proud of the way the boys played."
While the Bulldogs zipped out to a 14-0 lead after as many minutes, the Eagles had still threatened.
Those threats were converted into points in the 25th minute, Tim Berry scoring off the back of a rolling maul shortly after Bulldogs skipper Peter Fitzsimmons was yellow carded.
While Bulldogs replacement forward Matt Trap also saw yellow before the break, those left on the paddock muscled up against a Cowra pack led by Berry and Chris Miller.
When Nick Rankine showed his nice footwork after the half-time siren to beat a number of cover defenders and score between the sticks, and Will Oldham converted, the margin pushed out to 28-5.
READ ALSO: Late deflection sees Souths salvage a draw
READ ALSO: Saints remain patient to breach Exies
Cowra began the second half much better and was rewarded with a second try to Vili Koliagi after four minutes of sustained pressure inside the 22.
That helped bring it back to 28-12, but that was the last real moment of joy for Cowra.
Alex Weal dived over for his second try of the match with 30 minutes remaining and soon after Harry Peacock - who had split open Cowra's defence a number of times - scored off the back of a scrum to make it 38-12.
More pain followed for Cowra as a player was shown yellow, Miller left the field with a dislocated shoulder and Bulldogs pushed their tally beyond 50.
"It was a very physical game, it's always going to be physical against Cowra, our little boys have to stand up and make sure they play for each other and they did. Our defence has been one of our focuses, we've been really training hard on our defence," Oxley said.
"Our attack looks after itself, but our defence is what keeps us in these games while throw what they can at us. We repel that then we come back when we have possession."
Want a discounted subscription to follow Bathurst sport this winter? Click here
While there was plenty to like in the win, it was by no means a perfect 80 minutes from Bulldogs.
On occasion Cowra's scrum drove them back, the Eagles stole line-out ball against the feed and the yellow cards showed discipline could be better.
But those are areas Oxley knows his side can rectify as they continue to build.
"The cards were disappointing. We spoke about discipline, we piggybacked them at Cowra, we piggybacked them here today and they scored points on the back of our errors," he said.
"Not wanting to sound arrogant, but we can do better in that area of the game, it is something which is hurting us at the moment. We have to listen better and adapt and change quickly."