DEFENCE played a big part in Orange City's and Mudgee’s game plans despite the Lions winning the Blowes Clothing Cup encounter 45-0 at Jubilee Oval on Saturday.
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The two-time defending competition premiers showed the new boys what it takes to be at the top in the Blowes Clothing Cup tier one division.
The Lions ran in seven tries, but it wasn’t as comfortable and easy as the end result suggested.
City had to work hard to punch through a determined Wombats defensive line before defending their quarter of the field for most of the second half.
Lions co-coach Steve Hamson said his team’s defence, which has been the backbone to their success in the last two years, was back to its best.
“A big part of the last three or four years has been our defence and priding our defence,” Hamson said.
“Maintain the defensive structure we have worked on; they have great pride in their defence.
Mudgee coach Justin Sutherland said there was a difference in experience between the two teams.
“We came up against a well-drilled outfit who have been together for many years and you can tell that,” Sutherland said.
Orange City opened the scoring in the sixth minute through winger Cameron Cole.
With the visitors having the lion’s share of possession and on the attack in good field position, the main concern for the Wombats’ followers was how many points Orange City would score.
However, to the home team’s credit, Mudgee did not let their opposition across their line until the 27th minute when Chris Barrett scored from close range.
Two quick tries to City ensured they took a 26-0 lead into the half-time break.
City were able to cross twice more, including another to Cole, which gave them a 38-0 lead before things started to heat up.
Mudgee lost Nathan Orr for 10 minutes for a dangerous tackle while close to full-time, while City hooker Chris Senior was shown a yellow card for his part in a scuffle that broke out following a line-out.
Despite being one man down, Cole bagged his third try and with Mesui Lemoto’s fifth conversion, Orange won 45-0.
ORANGE CITY LIONS 45 (Cameron Cole 3, Chris Barrett, Billy Freeman, Mesui Lemoto, Duncan Young tries; Lemoto 5 conversions) def MUDGEE WOMBATS 0.
