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BOTH the Lithgow Bears and Lithgow Giants have been struggling in the New Era Rugby League competition, but as most sporting teams do, they rose to the occasion of the local derby with the two sides playing some attractive and exciting football.
It was a special day for the Bears who was celebrating their Sponsors Day where the club thanks their sponsors and they did so in style taking the match 42-24.
It was good to see a good number of their sponsors on hand to give the Bears’ their support in a shocking day for football with the field slippery and muddy making handling difficult.
The Bears, who have been in the competition for 30 years, had too much experience for the Giants who are in their second year.
There was a lot of good hearted banter on social media on both the Oz League and main game — but this year the bragging rights belonged to the Bears on both occasions.
One of the highlights of the match was the rivalry between Bears’ president Ben Spittles and his younger brother David Phillipson who turned out with the Giants.
The Bears got off to a good start with Mitch Curran crossing for two tries within minutes of each other.
Timmy Hughes added to the score after showing good speed.
The Giants came back strong with a try to Brad Adams and Phillipson.
Just before the break, Hughes took off down the sideline and linked up with winger Jye Naughton and gifted him a try when he gave him the ball over the line.
Bears’ coach Tony Northey was pleased with his side’s first half, but reminded his players the Giants would come back hard in the second half.
Tim Hughes was causing the defence all sorts of problems and scored his second try with Mitch Curran also scoring to make it a hattrick for the speedster and Jacob McAndrew and Dallas Smith also scored.
Corey Morgan put up his hand for a rest but instead the Bears boys thought he wanted the ball and, with ball in hand, pushed his way over the tryline.
Conversions were successfully kicked by Jared Miller (5) who has just came back after a concussion bout a few weeks ago.
For the Giants, Jacob Monaghan and Jarre Ryan also kicked goals.
The referee points went to Bears Tim Hughes (3) and Brenton Dunn (2) and one to the Giants’ Dallas Smith.
The Bears also showed their support and cheered on the Lithgow Junior Storm players who played prior to the League Tag game.
The Lithgow Bears presented the game awards at the Lithgow Workmens Club who are the Bears major sponsor for the 2016 season.
The Lithgow Bears thank the Giants players for the game and all sponsors who have come on board this season and supporters of the Bears.
On Saturday the Lithgow Bears girls travel to Bathurst to take on CSU Blue while the Bears men have the week off with a bye.