A superb second-half has helped Group 11 to a convincing 28-6 victory over Group 10 in the annual Western Rugby League representative first-grade fixture in Blayney in NSW's central-west on Saturday.
In a penalty-riddled first stanza, the contest appeared fairly even on paper.
However, Group 11 were forced to work hard, holding out many Group 10 attacking raids before both teams headed to the sheds at halftime locked at 6-6.
"The penalties were our killer in the first half," Group 11 coach Brent Wood said.
"We only got a repeat set the last three or four minutes, and they looked pretty gassed after that.
"Our defence was brilliant, and that won us the game. We defended set after set on our line and let the one try in."
The message was a simple one from Wood at the break. He wanted his side to play a more disciplined brand of Rugby League, because he believed Group 11's class would shine through in the end.
The playing group must have listened as it was a very different story in the second half. They dominated in the middle, scoring four tries in 15 minutes, as they piled on 22 unanswered points to run away with the win.
"We knew there was enough class in the back line and the back row, but we had to hold the ball," Wood said.
"We got a bit of possession and a few repeat sets, and then we put on a few tries, and if anything, we were unlucky not to score a few more tries late in the game."
Parkes Spaceman Will Wardle was outstanding for Group 11, with the lock named 'Man of the Match' after getting through a mountain of work.
"Will was good... and Jeremy Thurston was awesome. He put in some massive efforts, and I thought he played great," Wood said.
"With a minute to go, Justin Toomey-White ran down a player and saved a try, so it was really a team effort. We had no bad player, and everyone aimed up.
"We all want to represent Group 11, and now that the clubs are playing against each other (in the Peter McDonald Premiership), it's like Group 10 verse Group 11 in those games, and we are always looking at results and wanting to get one over them."
The victory was part of a massive Saturday at Blayney for Group 11, who secured a rare Western Rugby League representative clean sweep.
On top of first-grade putting an end to Group 10's three-game winning run, Group 11 won League-Tag 32-26, and in the Under-18s, Group 11 got up 30-22.
First-Grade: Group 11, 28 (Josh Nixon, Tom Stimpson, Jeremy Thurston, Billy Gilbert, Mac Dutfield tries; Thurston 4 goals) def Group 10, 6 (Riley Dukes try, Josh Rivett goal).
League-Tag: Group 11, 32 def Group 10, 26.
Under 18s: Group 11, 30 def Group 10, 22.
