Orange Emus’ class shone through at Endeavour Oval on Saturday afternoon, and despite being far below their best, the Greens still notched a half century to down the Cowra Eagles 59-13.
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The victory is Emus’ third on the trot to open the 2017 Blowes Clothing Cup and puts the side in the perfect position leading into the representative round bye.
Emus remain one of two unbeaten sides through three rounds, together with Bathurst Bulldogs.
Although the greens didn’t reach their lofty expectations performance wise, they still proved far too good for the Eagles, leading 33-6 at half-time before running in another 26 points in the second half.
“We were a bit off in terms of intensity, not quite there, but you have those days and we still got a big win, which is really pleasing,” Emus coach Paul Ringland said.
“Cowra didn’t go away and that was rewarded with the last try of the game, so I think there’s definitely promise there.”
Carter Hirini, again in the No.13 jumper, scored three of Emus’ nine tries to notch his second hat-trick of the season and push his 2017 try-scoring mark to seven.
Lachie Harris also scored a double, crossing for his brace in the greens’ first half blitz.
Tom Green, Scott McLean, Andrew Selwood and Rob Thorburn all found their way over the line as well, with skipper Nigel Staniforth re-tuning his radar after an off day against Forbes a fortnight earlier. He kicked seven from nine.
Just one of the try-scorers was among the side’s best, as Ringland saw it.
“Scott McLean was really good, probably our best, Tom Goolagong was great too and Brent Braithwait, who came into the side for Al Hattersley, did a fantastic job up front,” Ringland said.
In the beaten Eagles side, five-eight Bill Cummins and skipper Tim Berry, playing in the second row, were the strongest.
Cummins’ performance was rewarded in the 80th minute when he wrestled his way over the line, to score Cowra’s only five-pointer.
After the bye Emus face Orange City at Wade Park, it follows Eastern Suburbs’ Intrust Super Shute Shield clash with Gordon.
Cowra will host Bathurst Bulldogs.
Meanwhile in the lower grades, Cowra was defeated 84-0 in seconds and forfeited the Colts match.
Cowra’s women’s side continued it’s strong start to the season, piling on more than 50 points against the Emus women and keeping them scoreless.
Orange Emus 59 (Carter Hirini 3, Lachie Harris 2, Tom Green, Scott McLean, Andrew Selwood, Rob Thorburn tries; Nigel Staniforth 7 goals) defeated Cowra Eagles 13 (Bill Cummins try; John Grant goal, two penalty goals)