A devastating first half performance from the Bathurst Bulldogs set up a massive 71-17 win over Orange City in the Blowes Clothing Cup fixture at Ann Ashwood Park on Saturday.
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Bulldogs opened the scoring within three minutes, before the Lions responded just three minutes later, but it was the closest the visitors would get to the hosts, as Bathurst broke away to a massive 52-12 lead at half-time.
It was a much closer game in the second half, but the damage had been done, as Bulldogs went on to win by 54 points.
Bulldogs and champion Central West Blue Bulls outside back Adam Plummer, who scored two tries in the win, said it was a solid performance from his team.
"It was a good result because we've had to grind a lot of our wins so far this year. It was good to stick a team to the sword," he said
"It took us about 50-60 minutes to get into the game against Forbes last week but we came out of the boxes flying today, which was a good change."
It's been a big week for Plummer, who was selected in the NSW Country team alongside teammate Justin Mobbs.
That's what bush footy is all about, showing heart like that.
- Bulldog Adam Plummer on City's improved second-half showing
He admitted Orange City were a bit understrength in the game but said the Lions improved in the second half.
"That's what bush footy is all about, showing heart like that," he said.
"They were missing a few boys from that first game encounter and they sort of came out in the second half and gave it to us."
Brad Glasson opened the scoring within three minutes before Lions' Colin McGregor to reduce Bathurst's lead to 7-5 after six minutes.
Bathurst would score quickly through Zach Taylor and Hunter Davis, before Lions' Fletcher Rose pulled the score back in the 17th minute with a five-pointer of his own. Bulldogs led 21-12.
The flood gates would open in the remainder of the half, as Plummer went over for his first in the 20th minute, before scoring his second three minutes later.
Joel Harper would crash over half an hour into the game, before Davis scored his second try three minutes out from half-time.
A Ben Shepherd try was the last play of the game, which saw Bulldogs take a 52-12 lead into the half-time break.
It was a much better performance from Lions in the second half and the visitors managed to keep Bulldogs scoreless for 18 minutes before skipper Peter Fitzsimmons scored.
It's been really tough for us getting continuity in players. It's hard to ask players to back up multiple games.
- Orange City president Chris Whittaker
Lions skipper Josh Tremain managed to find the tryline with 15 minutes to go, but the great work in the second half was undone in the last 10 minutes, as Ovenden and Glasson scored for the Bulldogs.
Orange City president Chris Whittaker was pleased with the improved effort in the second half.
"Listen, it was a big improvement in the second half," he said.
"It's been really tough for us getting continuity in players. It's hard to ask players to back up multiple games. Some of the guys had played multiple games in lower grades.
"Taking nothing away from Bathurst, they're a handy side and played really well."
- BATHURST BULLDOGS 71 (Adam Plummer 2, Hunter Davis 2, Brad Glasson 2, Zach Taylor, Joel Harper, Ben Sheppard, Peter Fitzsimmons, Jeremiah Ovenden tries; Will Oldham 7, Bryce Rue conversions) defeated ORANGE CITY 17 (Colin McGregor, Fletcher Rose, Josh Tremain tries; Barton Young conversion)
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