RUGBY LEAGUE
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St Pat's have suffered their first defeat of the Group 10 premier league season after succumbing to unbeaten Lithgow on Sunday.
Workies took the win 18-4 in wet conditions in front of their home crowd, and their defence was every bit as unforgiving as the weather as they virtually shut the Saints out of the match.
The win was all the more meritorious with the Wolves coming into the round without two of their star forwards – Brendon Van Veen and Chris Rhodes.
Their defence was uncompromising and ferocious, with Johnathan Van Veen leading the way as his fellow forwards Cory Willmott, Brendan West, Steve Lang, Cooper Ale and Alex Bryne formed a brick wall up the middle.
St Pat’s were their own worst enemies, giving away a swag of penalties in what was a lop-sided count that allowed the Wolves to camp deep in their territory for most of the match.
After sharp runs by centre Joel O’Brien and Jai Straney, the Wolves went into St Pat’s territory for their first major attacking foray.
Five-eighth Ben Stewart delivered a perfect cross-field kick which saw Van Veen flying high and pulling it down over the line for their opening try.
The Wolves continued to dominate the match through their forwards with St Pat’s working hard to contain their power running.
Following a series of penalties, the Wolves hammered the blue and whites’ try line and they finally broke through when hooker Ali Ale burrowed his way over the line next to the posts.
Van Veen converted to make the score 10-0 which stood until the half-time break.
The Saints were becoming frustrated with their inability to crack the Wolves’ defence and more penalties followed, allowing Van Veen to push the lead out to 12 points via a goal.
The frustration boiled over when Tim Holman was sent from the field by referee Nathan Blanchard for dissent after back-to-back infringements.
The Pat’s defence was scattered and the Wolves spun the ball to one side of the field and then back to Willmott who powered over for a try. Van Veen converted to give the Wolves a 18-0 lead.
St Pat’s scored a consolation try when hard-working hooker Benjamin John went over, which was fitting given that John was among their best all day along with Holman and Hudson White.
LITHGOW WORKIES 18 (Jono Van Veen, Ali Ale, Corey Willmott tries; Van Veen 3 goals) defeated ST PAT’S 4 (Benjamin John try)