Leeton showed their premiership credentials with a 43-17 win over Ag College at Beres Ellwood Oval on Saturday.
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The slick Phantoms back line’s ability to score on the counter attack was on full display and ensured a perfect start to the season.
Winger Joe Ratu scored four tries as the new-look Leeton outfit burnt Ag College on the edges.
While Ag College’s forward matched their bigger rivals, it was out wide the Leeton did all the damage.
Despite dominating on the scoreboard, coach Marika Vunibaka wants his team to show patience in attack.
“We started well but after 20 minutes we were throwing too many 50-50 passes which we should keep and recycle,” Vunibaka said.
“In the second half there was a few too many mistakes which cost us a few penalties and the Ag team went down there and scored a few tries.”
Leeton’s dominance started when Joe Kafoa-Pene eased his way over out wide to open the scoring try.
Ag College hit back through a Hamish Pennington penalty goal before the lock had his second after bursting through a tackle to score from 20 out.
Ratu then found himself in plenty of space following a turnover to score a long range try late in the second half and then gave the Phantoms at 24-3 lead when he scored right on half-time.
Ag College needed to be the first team to score in the second half and were when Mike van Diggelen swooped on a loose pass to score.
However, Leeton responded with another try to Ratu before van Diggelen scored his second from close range after some constant pressure from Aggies.
The flanker’s second try put his team within 14 points, but late tries to Petero Taitusi and Ratu saw the scoreline blow out once more.
Vunibaka is looking be better when the Phantoms take on Waratahs at Conolly Ruby Complex next week and is looking to change their style in the hopes of ending the premier’s unbeaten run.
“It is going to be a big ask to top Waratahs," Vunibaka said. “We need more discipline in the ruck.”
Despite coming off second best, new Ag College coach Will Mitchell could see plenty of positives from the game.
He was particularly pleased with how the forward pack stepped up.
“I thought our forwards dominated theirs but they just link up so well and turnover ball just killed us,” Mitchell said. “Their offloads are really impressive and it was probably the most impressive back line who improvises that I’ve seen in this comp.”