It's the only word Orange Hawks captain-coach Brock McGarity could find for his side's 18-point Group 10 premier league loss to Lithgow Workies on Sunday, in which spectators saw the best and the worst of the two blues.

The injury-ravaged Hawks showed sporadic moments of form but, for the most part, were completely outclassed by Lithgow at Wade Park, ultimately losing out 34-16.

"We stay switched on for 10 minutes and look like one of the better teams in the competition and then switch off for 10 minutes and look like the worst team in the competition," McGarity said.

"I guess it's up to individuals to take it upon themselves to stay switched on. You can't afford to drop off."

Despite Lithgow giving away five penalties in the first 10 minutes of the game, Hawks couldn't capitalise in an opening period punctuated by knock-ons, loose passes and ordinary fifth tackle options from both outfits.

Workies found their feet in the 22nd minute when prop Brendan West pushed his way over, with halfback Antonio Ale, fullback Keelan Brescac and lock Brendon Van Veen all scoring before the 35-minute mark as well.

Three of Ernest Ale's four conversion attempts found their mark, giving Lithgow a 22-nil lead, before Hawks winger Jason Gangaram dived over on the stroke of half-time.

Fullback Cody Robbins converted, giving his side a glimmer of hope at 22-6.

Gangaram's second just after the break took the score to 22-10 and the two blues' continued to threaten Lithgow's line but, fuelling McGarity's frustration, his side switched off, allowing Lithgow five-eighth Ben Stewart to score moments before second-rower Corey Willmott was sent to the bin.

VIDEO: What the coaches had to say after full time:

Hawks could have made the most of the one-man advantage if reserve prop Luke Coyte hadn't been binned a minute later, with Antonio Ale waltzing through to grab his second on the back of the resulting penalty.

Hawks had chances to claw their way back into the game in the final exchanges, but could only cross through Villie Taroga, who scored a consolation try in the 75th minute.

Even with several players playing out of position to cover a wealth of injured stars, McGarity refused to make any excuses.

"The team that ran out there today was capable of putting points on, as we saw," he said.

"It's just errors and switching off killing us."

The victory extends Lithgow's undefeated run to five games, with Workies now sitting in equal top spot with the similarly unbeaten Orange CYMS.

"It's good to be undefeated, it's good to be up at the top of the table at this time of year," Workies mentor Graham Osborne said.

"But there's a lot of our standards we're letting ourselves down in, completions after scoring and little mistakes."

LITHGOW WORKIES 34 (Antonio Ale 2, Brendan West, Keelan Bresac, Brendon Van Veen, Ben Stewart tries; Ernest Ale 5 goals) def ORANGE HAWKS 16 (Jason Gangaram 2, Villie Taroga tries; Cody Robbins 2 goals)