Orange Hawks is on top of the Group 10 ladder – just don’t tell Willie Heta.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The two blues’ nail-biting two-point derby win over CYMS, coupled with Oberon finding form to down Bathurst Panthers 24-16, shot Hawks to the top of the premier league ladder on Sunday afternoon.
After just the one loss and a draw, Heta’s Hawks (11 points) occupy top spot after seven rounds ahead of the super-impressive Cowra (10) and Orange CYMS (10 points), the premiers remain in the top three despite back-to-back losses.
Bathurst Panthers (nine points) is fourth while Oberon is in the top five for the first time this season, fifth on eight points.
Past that, St Pat’s and Mudgee both have six points while the competition is rounded out by Workies and Blayney, both with four competition points.
Nearing the turning point of the season, the race for finals spots is fierce and as such Heta says the ladder-leading Hawks will be taking things one week at a time.
“You can’t really predict or nail it down to who’s been the more dominant side,” Heta said after Hawks’ 42-40 thriller with CYMS.
“We're not looking that far ahead … I won’t even mention it to the lads.
“We’ll just work on next week. But it’s a good position to be in at this point in the season.”
Heta’s vigilance is warranted, especially when you look further down the ladder.
St Pat’s started the year with three wins from as many rounds, but a month without a victory has plummeted Greg Behan’s outfit to sixth position.
Injury has played a part in St Pat’s slide, and with Nathan Potts (jaw) and Brodie Christopherson (knee) both on the sideline last Sunday Hawks know complacency can’t be afforded.
“We’ll just take a step back, look around, see the injuries and take it as it comes,” Heta said.
“Results are speaking for themselves at the moment. It’s so close.”
Hawks’ first division side is also on top of its ladder, a 36-6 triumph over CYMS sitting alongside an 18-12 victory in the league tag derby, both acting as preludes to the thrilling premier league triumph.
CYMS got the chocolates in the under 18s, the defending premiers dominant in a 46-6 victory at Wade Park.