ONE hundred and 41 seconds - that's how long it took Joey Bugg to score his first try since returning to Bathurst Panthers.
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After a stint with rival Group 10 club Cowra Magpies, Bugg has returned to the Panthers' ranks this season and was amongst their squad for Saturday's inaugural Bathurst Nines at Jack Arrow Oval.
His try helped Panthers to win their opening match of the tournament 10-8 over Bathurst rivals St Pat's.
"It's so good to be back with the boys, be home really," Bugg said.
"That [try] felt pretty good, it was a good way to start. I thought I was there, I just had to fall over the line pretty much. It was an easy one."
After being named the Group 10 first division player of the year in 2017 - his 10th season as a Bathurst Panther - former Cowra junior Bugg returned to the Magpies.
He became a top grade regular there in 2018 and 2019 and after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of senior Group 10 competitions last year, Bugg decided to return to Panthers.
He was used in a number of positions over the course of the Bathurst Nines and that could reflect how Panthers coach Doug Hewitt will deploy Bugg this season.
"I'm playing a bit of everywhere which is good, a bit of variety. Yeah I think I'll be a bit of a utility this year, but I don't mind that," Bugg said.
Off the first play of the Bathurst Nines opener, Pat's knocked-on in goal after receiving the kick-off. It was a sign of what was to come as the Saints struggled to complete their sets in the wet and slippery conditions.
That first error saw a line drop out and moments later as he drifted to the right of the ruck, Bugg was over.
Panthers struck again just over three minutes out from the break via new recruit Dave Sellers, Bugg potting the conversion to make it 10-0.
In the second half the Saints knocked on off their first two sets, before Mitch Squire showed they could be a threat.
He darted over from dummy half to make it 10-4 with 5:11 left on the clock.
When a big Saints defensive play - they forced Bugg into touch in a three-man tackle - saw them back in possession it paved the way for an exciting finish.
Sione Naufahu streaked away to score in the left corner with 59 seconds left, but the conversion attempt which could have locked it up was well wide.
Panthers went on to finish the Bathurst Nines in third place with two more wins over Orange Warriors (24-4) and Quakers Hill (20-0) and losses against eventual champions Wellington (14-6) and runners-up Orange Hawks (14-8).
The Saints placed fourth as they went on to beat Quakers Hill (14-10) and Warriors (20-0) and lose their games against Wellington (14-6) and Hawks (10-0).
