BROTHERS coach Terry Westblade was reaching for the stars after the Brethren outlasted Temora 22-16 at Equex Centre on Sunday.
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Rebounding from a surprise 24-18 loss to Tumbarumba a week ago, Brothers scored the only three tries of the first half before surviving an unconvincing Temora recovery in the second half.
Up 16-0 at half-time, the Brethren were outscored 16-6 in the second term, but still never looked seriously threatened.
As Temora captain-coach Grant Boyd later searched for solace in a “very disappointing” result, Westblade was taking aim at some of the gun teams in the premiership.
“I’m looking forward to the boys playing the top sides again,” Westblade said.
“I sort of came in on the back of end Southcity and Gundagai, the top notch sides.
“Hopefully we’ve now got enough structure in system to at least compete.
“We’ll see how we go.”
Westblade was appointed following the sacking of Ben Black and was only feeling his way when Brothers were thrashed 42-16 by Southcity and 46-10 by Gundagai in successive games.
For Westblade, Brothers third win in 10 games was a positive pointer to the future.
“We’re a long way from being really good, but there are some really good kids in the team,” he said. “I think that’s what we’re probably striving for is for – those kids to become first graders.
“That’s pleasing.”
Despite playing without possession and field position in the first half, Brothers were able to dominate the first half and set up their victory.
Creative Aaron Wynne was instrumental in the Wagga team surging to a 16-0 advantage.
Wynne laid on the opening two tries for Peter Little and Cade Price with dazzling footwork and strength before floating an immaculate pass for winger Harold Kirby to flash over in the 37th minute.
Brothers flying start was in bitter contrast to Temora, who just frittered chances and looked in disarray.
Amid the chaos,Temora struggled to capitalise on their opportunities in the first half, squandering at least four prime scoring shots.
“We kept blowing them,” Boyd said. “It was one of those days. I’m spewing.
“I just don’t know ... we’re not consistent at all.
“On our day we’re good.”
The Dragons did mount a revival after the break, scoring three tries to Brothers’ one.
They trailed 22-6 midway through the second half and gained some scoreboard traction with tries to Taylor Krause and Aka Matapo.
In the end it was just too little, too late.
Pondering the outcome, Westblade stressed Brothers need to find a player with “vision.”
“‘We’re having a lot of trouble spotting spaces,” he said.
“We don’t have a lot of really good readers of the play who know where to put the football; where it should be.”