SOUTHCITY coach Nick Skinner endured mental anguish as the Bulls foiled Kangaroos in a torrid Wagga derby at Equex Centre on Sunday.
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After scoring three tries to one try to lead 18-6 at half-time, Southcity survived a Kangaroos surge before winning 36-26.
At one stage in the second half Roos struck for three tries in nine minutes to cut Southcity’s lead to just 24-22, but the Bulls eventually steamed away again.
In the wash-up, Kangaroos captain-coach Adam Hall described the team’s performance as “30 per cent better” than their victory over Brothers week ago.
Skinner, however, was not as kind to the winners.
“It was good to get the two points, but the second half was just ugly,” Skinner said.
“It’s made my hair fall out more than normal.
“We need to be a lot better.”
Skinner’s remarks were definitely on the money.
The Bulls were sharp and cohesive in a quality first half, but both teams went backwards after halftime.
“We fell to bits in the second half,” Skinner lamented.
“It’s was very scrambling and we have to be much better than that.
“We can be a lot better than that.”
For Southcity, the six tries to five success was sufficient to keep the team unbeaten and on top of the Group Nine table.
With four wins in as many games each, Southcity and Junee are clearly the best performed teams in the premiership.
However, Southcity’s display in the second half on Sunday was a poor advertisement for the Bulls position.
Up 18-6 at halftime, the Bulls snatched a try in the 42nd minute as Kyle McCarthy served up a sweet pass for Cody Hodge to score on the way to a 26-6 advantage.
The flying start was short lived as Roos pounced with successive tries to Hayden Ashcroft (48th minute), Eddie Lagaali (51st) and James Whiteley (57th).
By the time Hall converted Whiteley try, Roos were down only 24-22 and on a roll.
Minutes later Dooley was held up over the try-line, a near miss that ended the revival.
Quick as a flash, Southcity struck twice in three minutes, with Brent Snowden scoring off a freakish ricochet in the 64th minute and Usaia O’Sullivan roaring over three minutes later.
With tempers fraying, O’Sullivan and young gun Troy Barby were sinbinned after a scuffle in the 72nd minute.
Ultimately, Roos kept at it and Dooley grabbed a try barely a minute later, but the result was already set in stone.
Although pleased with the “effort”, Hall was critical again of errors from the team.
Southcity prop Hayden Jeans was a standout, while Cody Hodge produced a blinder while Tim Hurst, McCarthy and Snowden were also excellent.