FRUSTRATION - it was evident to see on the face of Bathurst Panthers captain-coach Doug Hewitt as his side suffered a 10-4 loss to Orange CYMS at Carrington Park on Friday night.
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It was a loss which saw Hewitt's side eliminated from their own pre-season tournament - the Bathurst Panthers Firetection Knockout - while CYMS advanced to a semi-final showdown with St Pat's.
Though Panthers had posted a 42-0 win Ourimbah Wyoming Magpies in a trial six days earlier, on Friday their only try came with a tick over three minutes left on the clock.
Hewitt said he felt "the game had such inconsistencies" in terms of refereeing decisions, but also conceded poor discipline and a low completion rate hurt his side's chances of making it four knockout titles in five years.
"It's frustrating when you put a whole pre-season in and you get here and it's one-way traffic with the penalties," he said.
"Definitely handling hurt us, that's what we spoke about at the start, in knockout footy you've got to complete but we didn't have any respect for the ball early and that killed us.
"But that's the way it is. Our defence was strong at stages, to keep them to only two tries with the amount of ball they had was really good.
"There are plenty of positives to take along with the negatives, but we've got a lot to work on."
In knockout footy you've got to compete but we didn't have any respect for the ball early and that killed us.
- Doug Hewitt
While there was plenty of excitement amongst Panthers' fans to see what the new faces in their squad could do - prop Josh Starling hit the line hard and returning back line talent Jeremy Gordon set up their try - there was also eager anticipation from the CYMS' faithful.
Former NRL playmaker and new coach Daniel Mortimer earned an assist in CYMS' opening try, second rower Ethan Bereyne took strong carries and produced some brutal hits while hooker Ryan Griffin was busy.
CYMS' defence withstood an early test after a smart Willie Wright chip forced a line drop-out.
Momentum then swung as Gordon conceded a penalty by preventing Mortimer from a quick re-start then argued with the referee and was sent to the sin-bin.
The next set a nice Mortimer ball helped fullback Lachie Munro find space before he put winger Hayden Spencer over in the corner.
That made it 4-0.
Panthers did get close to drawing level before the break, Hewitt being held up over the line as he tried to bully his way over following a typically strong Brent Seager charge.
The hosts also came close shortly after play resumed in the second half - a strong Starling run getting him within inches of the line.
But CYMS stood firm and when Griffin darted over from dummy-half with 14 minutes left - the green and golds gifted good field position on the back of a penalty - Panthers' frustration grew.
That led to more penalties and handling errors.
The hosts did give themselves some hope when Gordon put Jason Corliss over in the left corner on a desperate final-tackle play to make it 10-4, but CYMS held on in the remaining three minutes.
