The scoreline may be similar to the 33-0 victory over the Wombats in round one, but the gap between the sides looks to be narrowing. Both teams were missing regular first grade starters, but showed good depth to field quality sides.

The win was set-up by a dominant first half performance from the Gorillas, running in four unanswered tries to race away to a 26-0 half-time lead.

Doug Potter made the move to fullback this week and his meticulous kicking game was helped by a favourably southerly breeze, making big metres and finding the corners with ease. Potter was also picking his moments beautifully to chime into the backline, scoring a first half double with almost identical plays.

The Gorilla Forwards were going to work in tight and making yards through the Mudgee pack, which was creating space out wide for the backs to make the ball sing.

Ever the opportunist, Billy Browning swooped on a loose pass as the Wombats pressed in attack and showed a clean pair of heels to race 50 metres untouched under the posts. Dylan Ryan, playing on the right wing this week, showed great pace to skirt around the defence and score out wide.

Half time did nothing to halt Narromine’s momentum, with the Gorillas best on ground George Hancock scoring within 5 minutes of the kick-off. However, with the wind at their backs, the Wombats did what Wombats do, they dug in, and were rewarded with a try to hard working back-rower Adam Rayner.

Halfback Ryan Pratten was able to cross once more for the Gorillas in his 1st grade comeback game, reminiscent of the “Alfie Langer – State of Origin – Game 3 of 2001” fiasco.

For the Gorillas, the back row of Sam McLeod, Craig Campbell and Bill Rybak worked tirelessly all day, and the front row stood up again against a Mudgee pack who improved throughout the match.

Narromine Gorillas 38: (Doug Potter 2, Billy Browning, Dylan Ryan, George Hancock, Ryan Pratten Tries; Doug Potter 4 convs) def.

Mudgee Wombats 7: (Adam Rayner Try; James Ford Conv)

Second Grade put on a second half blitz, turning a 17-0 halftime lead into a 43-5 victory to also remain undefeated this season. Dwayne Anderson was impressive in his debut for the Gorillas, Liam Gleeson strong all game, Mitch Kerr dominant at Scrum half, and Strath Munro stretched his leads in the points scorer race bagging a personal tally of 18!

Narromine Gorillas 43: (Dwyane Anderson 2, Liam Gleeson, Craig Duff, Strath Munro, Michael Treseder Tries; Munro 5 Conv; Munro 1 Pen) def.

Mudgee Wombats 5: (Tom Fletcher Try)

Earlier, the U/17’s kept their unbeaten start intact, taking down Wellington in a dominant display, I believe the final score read 53-5. The Gorillas travel to Parkes this weekend to take on the second placed Boars in what is shaping up to be their toughest test so far.