With five players backing up from representative duties on Saturday, and with coach Nick Skinner unavailable, the Bulls withstood a challenge from Temora to run out 26-18 winners at Harris Park on Sunday.

Already under pressure from a heavy workload, Southcity’s rotations weren’t helped when hooker Pani Manawatu come from the field with a shoulder injury in the first 15 minutes.

Manawatu was on the end of a heavy tackle and he was quickly replaced by Dan Jeffries and didn’t return for the remainder of the game.

Stepping into lead the side, Kyle McCarthy was proud of the way the Bulls forwards responded to challenge laid down by the likes of Palu Tonga, Grant Boyd and Hayden Philp.

“They have a really good pack and really got through us early,” McCarthy said.

“I think we struggled to keep with their momentum early and a few of their errors helped us get on the front foot late in that first half.”

Southcity’s electric backs proved to be the difference.

After being part of Riverina’s Country Championship win, Usaia O’Sullivan scored twice in the win and played a big part in two more tries.

He helped open the scoring after batting down a McCarthy kick before the ball was spread the width of the field for Ethan McGuire to open the scoring after five minutes.

The Dragons hit back when a lovely ball from Jordyn Ballard found Chris Maher. 

Temora was then deep in attack before an obstruction was ruled and the Bulls took advantage of a some good field possession with O’Sullivan providing an offload for fullback Jade Hodge to score.

Despite the setback, the Dragons fired hit the front when Gavin Kite sent Palu Tonga crashing over with eight minutes left in the first half before a Nathan Rose cut-pass put Jack Lyons over and the Bulls back in front right on half-time.

With a 14-12 lead coming into the second stanza, a big break down the left wing from Lyons added to the Bulls’ advantage as he passed back inside for O’Sullivan to collect his first before Rose provided the big centre with his second to seal the win.

Kite scored from dummy half just before the final siren, but it was all too late for the Dragons.

McCarthy thought having O’Sullivan and McGuire on the edges helped his team’s attack flow.

“It is always good to have two big centres you can give early ball to,” he said. 

“They always find half breaks and a bit of spark that gets our middle boys through the game really well.”

After coming out on top of contenders, Southcity has another tough test against Gundagai while Temora hosts Young on Sunday.