The Wolves outscored Bathurst St Patricks 24-22 with both sides without two of their best players who were on representative duties with the Western Rams.

Out of the side for the Wolves was Jonathan Van Veen and Alex Bryne while Matt Lawson and were missing from St Patricks.

It was a see sawing match with Wolves jumping to a 12-0 lead, before St Patricks fought back to gain the lead at 16-12.

Lithgow’s hard work over the off season paid off with the Wolves finishing the stronger at two score two later tries to gain an unassailable lead.

Both teams created plenty of chances but finishing proved to be a problem. Half an hour went by before Brendan Van Veen broke through to score the first try for Workies.

Terry Crane converted and the Lithgow side had a six point lead.

With three minutes left before the break, Workies again found themselves attacking the Pat's line and halfback Brett Ranse gave a great pass to Crane to dive over on the right hand side of the field and he again added the extras to give the Wolves a 12-0 half-time lead.

During the halftime break coach Graeme Osborne said: “St Patricks will not lie down and we have to continue doing the little things right.

“Don’t panic and stick to the game plan.”

His words rang true with Pats coming out strongly in the second half and eight minutes into the second half, St Pat's were attacking 10 metres out from the Lithgow line and the ball went to ground but this time it was regathered and sent wide to winger Heath Falkenmire to finally open their account.

Captaining the side for the first time, Tim Holman began to lead by example and in the 62nd minute he sliced through the defence and went on a 30 metre run before passing to Nathan Corliss, who covered the final 10 metres and scored.

When Matt Tilley added another in the 66th minute, St Pat's was in front for the first time 16-12.

However it did not last long with two quick Lithgow tries giving them an eight point lead and even a late try to Mick Armstrong could not help St Pat's turn it around.

Osborne said: “It was a good hit out for our first proper game of the season.

“St Patricks are a very good side and it gave us a chance to see were we are at the start of the season.”

LITHGOW WORKIES 24 (Brendan Van Veen, Terry Crane, Scott Fittler, Aaron Picman tries; Terry Crane 4 goals) defeated St PAT'S 22 (Heath Falkenmire, Nathan Corliss, Matt Tilley, Mick Armstrong tries; James Gilmore 3 goals).