There were some nerves for the undefeated Lithgow Workies reserve grade side coming into Sunday's match home game against the Bathurst Panthers.
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Coach Jimmy Reinhardt said a lack lustre performance against cellar-dwellers Blayney last week had everyone a little bit on edge.
"We went in there a little bit complacent and they gave us a bit of a run so we were a bit worried coming into today wondering where the boys' heads were at," he said.
"But we came here and turned it on and showed up and put in an effort, so I'm real happy," he said.
The Lithgow team, playing in front of their home crowd at Tony Luchetti Oval, established an early lead, going into half time with an 18-4 lead.
Ball control was an issue for the Workies early in the second half and Reinhardt said it was something the team was continuously focusing on.
He said discipline, with the ball and without it, was "something we really need to work on".
"But we keep on turning up and being able to back ourselves, after we make a mistake," he said.
The team is set for a strong run home coming into the finals, taking on the Orange Hawks and Mudgee Dragons away. Reinhardt said he looked forward to some very hard games.
"We really need them coming into the finals," he said.
Reinhardt said everyone on the team deserved a pat on the back for their performance against the Panthers on Sunday to run out 32-10 winners.
"At times we all had to dig real deep and put it on and I think everyone did today," he said.
"It was a whole team effort."
LITHGOW MERCURY 32 (Lleyton Lothian, Harley Osland, Nick Bender, Chris Rhodes, Tom Fraser, Pacey Stockton, goals Hayden Cornwell 3, Matt Walsh 1) def BATHURST PANTHERS 10 (John Bird, Andrew Bennett, goals John Bird 1).
Other Workies results
PREMIER LEAGUE: LITHGOW WORKIES 16 (Jack Sullivan, Cody Godden, Greg Alderson, goals Josh Howarth 2) def BATHURST PANTHERS 6 (Jack Siejka, goal Josh Rivett). You can find a full match report here.
LEAGUE TAG: LITHGOW WORKIES 16 (Kirsty Willmott 2, Emma Mcguinness, goals Megan Embleton 2) def BATHURST PANTHERS 4 (Stacey Elvy).
UNDER 18's: BATHURST PANTHERS 38 (Dylan Miles 2, Hayden Taylor, Matthew Ellsmore, Bradley Fearnley, Cody Goodlet, Nicko Divis) def LITHGOW WORKIES 18 (Winston Neville, Pacey Stockton, Tom Fraser, goals Brock Egan 2).
UNDER 18's LEAGUE TAG: LITHGOW WORKIES 4 (Ava Healey) def BATHURST PANTHERS 0.
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