Tallon Smith

The Lithgow Workies Wolves have matched their win tally from last season in the opening round after a come from behind 26-24 victory over Bathurst St Pats at Jack Arrow Sporting Complex on Saturday.

The Wolves fought back from 18-6 down at half time to emerge victorious thanks to a try from captain-coach Kyle Willmott eight minutes from full time.

Speaking to Battlers following the win, Willmott said a positive attitude in the second stanza following his half time address was the difference, with the Lithgow club outscoring their opponents 20-6 after the break.

“I suppose we just came out with a better attitude in the second half,” he said.

“We had a good chat in the sheds, because the last couple of years that’s been our thing, we let the second half get away from us, but we said this is not happening anymore, not happening today.”

After a campaign to forget last year, where the club won just one match on the way to picking up the wooden spoon in the PMP competition, the result is a huge step forward for the young Lithgow outfit.

Willmott said that the win, which is the club’s first opening round victory in the PMP meant a lot to the team, committee and the club’s supporters.

“It was pretty emotional for a lot of people I feel, especially because we’re still only a young team,” he said.

“It meant a lot to the club because we haven’t had a good start like that for a long time, honestly I couldn’t remember the last time we’ve won round one.

“I think the young fellas in the team, they haven’t had a start like this, and this is their fourth year of first grade. 

“Their attitude is right into it this year, we’ve had a massive pre-season. 

“Our committee was fairly chuffed with the win, the whole club, all our supporters, it’s like we’d won a grand final really, the cheer that came out of it when we won.”

The enormity of the result was echoed by Workies Wolves president Anthony Brown, who said the momentum from the victory has been a boost for the whole club and the Lithgow community.

“It has been a great start to the season, it’s been probably, I’ll say 10 starts with no first round wins which is massive,” he said.

“It’s great for the boys, they’ve toiled for the last three years, they’re only young, the average age would only be 24 or 25,” he said.

“It’s been pretty big for the club and fills them with confidence going into the season.

“It’s big for the town as well [and] all their families and friends and supporters [who] come down every week.

“This week coming into four home games in a row, I’m pretty sure we’ll see a pretty good following down at the showground for the next four weeks and follow through as well.”

Rising stars the future of the club

Despite their struggles in first grade in recent years, the Workies Wolves have been a consistent contender in the Tom Nelson Under 18s competition, with the side making a grand final and two preliminary finals in the past three seasons.

One of a number of young stars to emerge from this team is Nate Green, who impressed both his coach and teammates with a standout performance in his first top grade start at lock on Saturday afternoon.

“He’s only 18 and he was outright our best player on the weekend, he got players’ player and three points,” Willmott said.

“He’s come through solid and really trying to prove himself.

“It’s his first time ever playing lock, I put him there for something different, and he’s taken charge really.

“I think he came off the bench twice last year while he was in 18s, [the weekend was] his first start in first grade.”

Around the grounds

Looking around the grounds in round one of the Peter McDonald Premiership, a remarkable five tries to Toby Westcott helped Orange CYMS to defeat Bathurst Panthers 34-12 at Carrington Park.

In a match that featured three NRL players, it was Blake Ferguson and Jack Buchanan’s side which collected the two points over Richie Kennar and the Panthers thanks to the remarkable effort from their halfback.

Defending premiers Dubbo CYMS also started its season with a victory, getting the better of Parkes 26-18 at Jock Colley Field.

The Fishies ran in five tries to three on the road to start 1-0 in their bid to become the first club to go back-to-back in the competition under coach Jarryn Powyer.

Meanwhile, in other results, Mudgee started its season with a 32-10 win over Orange Hawks, Nyngan defeated Wellington 60-0, and Dubbo Macquarie drew 20-all with Forbes.