RUGBY LEAGUE - CENTENNIAL COAL CUP
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Kandos Waratahs suffered their first loss in more than a year when they were beaten 26-18 by Orange Barbarians at Max Stewart Park on the opening weekend of the Centennial Coal Cup season.
Glenn Sargent’s youngsters, without the services of experienced Steve Madden, Adam Stewart and Michael Parsons, performed more than credibly in their first premiership outing and could have reversed the result if not for poor ball control at crucial stages.
Winners over the Barbarians three weeks earlier in the Centennial Coal Knockout tournament at Portland, the Waratahs reinforced their credibility despite the three-tries-to-two loss.
Kandos led for a period in the first half following controlled aggression in defence and attack in the opening 20 minutes, coming from 6-0 down to lead 12-6 after converted tries to Matt Hundy and Ethan Parsons.
Skipper for the first-round game, Luke Hundy sustained a head knock which ended his day, taking some aggressive bite from the Waratahs’ front-line defence.
Diminutive Paul Norris, in his first senior game, slotted into the vacant hooking spot, and played far above his weight in the closely-fought game.
Without his skipper, Kandos High School captain August Pearce took it on himself to single-handedly create as much damage to the opposition as one man could.
When Ben Docherty was injected into the game, he gave a lot of support to the Kandos pack, and between the two big men, never allowed their opposites any respite.
Nathan Lilley performed well, as did Ethan Parsons and Jason Docherty, and Dan Steel had a perfect day with the boot, kicking three conversions from three attempts including the last try by Scott Wilkinson.
Injuries played their part, with Dean Mundey, Matt and Luke Hundy and Chris Rayner needed to be replaced.
Glenn Sargent was pleased with the efforts of his players, not the least young gun Pearce.
Pearce was easily the Waratahs’ most impressive player, and the Kandos team will be bolstered for their first home game on Saturday against CSU Blue with the return of their experienced players.