With the score at 12-10 at the hour mark, and with no points scored in the second half, a sudden barrage of three Saints tries in just eight minutes put them out of the Bears’ reach.

Pat’s once again showed their ability to finish games strongly, something they’ve made a habit of after similar late rallies against the Oberon Tigers and Mudgee Dragons this season.

Fullback Antonio Ale picked up two tries, with O'Meley helping set up the second of them.

Saints got the result they wanted but coach Kurt Hancock wasn’t thrilled with the way his side made it happen.

“I think we were lucky that Blayney hadn’t had much footy over the last five weeks because our completions were poor. We always seem to find a way to play our worst football against these fellas,” he said.

“I think that was nearly our worst game of the year, to be honest. In the first half we had four completed sets out of 15. You can’t win football games with that completion rate.

“In saying that, I was happy with our defence. That’s a massive positive letting in just 14 points despite having only a 30 per cent completion rate in the first half.”

All eyes were on O’Meley as he ran on as part of the Pat’s starting side but after just six minutes the Bears commanded attention when they got on the board first through a Lawrence Fogg try.

Pat’s winger Mitch Squire came close to scoring just three minutes later but was dragged over the sideline near the left corner post.

However, the hosts didn’t have to wait long for their first points when on the next Saints possession Ale stepped through the Bears defensive line for a try to make it 6-all.

Brady Cheshire gave Pat’s the lead for the first time when he barged his way over beneath the uprights in the 20^th minute.

Errors continually kept Pat’s under pressure and they eventually paid the price when a dropped bomb allowed Carter Hirini to get his team within two points.

Both teams blew scoring opportunities early in the second half as the cold and windy conditions made it difficult for both sides to play an expansive game.

Bears had the bigger share of possession for the opening 10 minutes of the second term but were unable to capitalise on the Saints’ repeated handling errors.

Pat’s then missed chances to score on both wings thanks to wayward passes.

A big run from Ale out of his own half brought his side to life.

Pat’s earned a penalty shortly after the fullback’s run and hooker Benjamin John’s dummy half dive over the line took his team out to an 18-10 lead.

On the next Saints set O’Meley fed the ball to Ale, who broke through for his second try of the day.

The score was quickly blown out to 30-10 when Chris De Young was on hand to finish off a strong run from Pat’s halfback Shannon Peters.

With six minutes to go Hirini found a break down the right wing to bag his second try but it would only be a consolation prize for his side.