Played at Orange’s Endeavour Oval, the hosts were up 7-3 at the break before the Kangaroos hopped away to a 22-7 victory.

Experienced Emus forward Stu Brisbane said the Dubbo side turned it on in the second half and literally ran away with the game.

“They decided to play open rugby,” Brisbane said.

“They had some fast backs, as fast as I’ve seen in first grade. They beat us around the man with their pace.”

“They scored two of their tries from within their own third, running 80 metres to score.”

Emus had the added challenge of playing with 13 men for some time in the second period when two players were sin binned for repeat infringements.

Still, Brisbane wasn’t worried by the loss.

“Because we don’t play often enough, we’re still building up. We’re still confident,” he said.

Peter Roberts was the man to score Emus’ try in the opening half, when a maul went down and the ball was sent to the corner for the second rower to finish it off.

Graydon Staniforth kicked the extras.

Emus will need to topple Bathurst Bulldogs in this Sunday’s minor semi-final to keep their season alive.

DUBBO KANGAROOS 22 def ORANGE EMUS 7 (Peter Roberts try; Graydon Staniforth conv).