Payne’s outfit went down to three-time defending top grade champions Mudgee 4-1 at Wentworth, a defeat that spells the end of Duntryleague’s chances of making the 2019 finals.

The defeat follows a surprise 3-2 loss to Wellington in round one and while thrilled the players in his current squad “love representing Duntryleague" Payne is convinced had the club’s best players made themselves available the 2013-2014-2015 pennant kings wouldn’t be stone motherless last after two rounds.

“Mudgee hasn’t been beaten in three years, and that’s testament to them ... we just don’t have the people that have the pride in representing their club and the drive to help the club get back the status we should have (as No.1),” Payne said.

“I tried to rally the guys. The guys we have want to play and that’s fantastic.

“One of the most important things you can do when you join a club is represent the club. And that’s all four grades.

“Full credit to Mark Hale, he’s done a similar job at Mudgee to what I did when I came to Orange, he’s got the best players playing.”

John Osborn (5 and 4), Dallas Kelly (5 and 3), Josh Campbell (4 and 3) and Mark Hale (3 and 2) all had wins over their Orange-based opponents – Ben McIntosh, Dennis Schultz, David Corby and Robert Payne, respectively – to open their campaign for four straight top grade crowns with a bang.

Andrew Best was the only Mudgee golfer to drop his match-up, with Duntry No.2 Tyson Lane getting the better of his opponent in a nail-biter, 2 and 1. 

Duntry managed a commanding 4-1 win in division two and a thumping 5-0 triumph in division four, but division three recorded a loss to Mudgee.

The 4-1 loss in division one slumps Duntryleague to two losses from their opening two games of the 2019 pennants season, after Wellington sprung a round one upset at Dubbo.

Wellington backed up that performance on Sunday though, cementing their stance on top of the pool A ladder with a commanding 4-1 victory over last year’s runner-up Dubbo.

Ben McCarthy, Elton Keeffe, Lewis McCarthy and Mitch Cusack recorded wins in round two to help lift Wellington to a second-straight win, all but securing the club a place in the finals in 2019.

Wellington will have the next two weeks off, before a round five clash with Mudgee.

“They’re probably the surprise-packet but Mudgee is still the team to beat,” Payne said.

“Wellington’s going well and they’ll be confident – winning increases that confidence – but I just think Mudgee’s still the team to beat.”

In pool B, Bathurst remains undefeated following a strong 4-1 effort over Forbes.

Darryn Bruce, Ben Mackey, Justin Sutton and Reece Hodson got up in their trip to Cowra on Sunday. Peter Nixon was the lone winner for Forbes’ division one side.

Cowra had a bye while Parkes’ division one side had a bye due to Ex-Services not fielding a top grade outfit.