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THEY were expected to bow out early, but the Bidgee Hurricanes defied expectations at the West Wyalong Knockout to make it through to the semi-finals.
Up against pre-tournament favourite Orange CYMS on Friday night, the Hurricanes came away with a 12-4 win thanks to tries from Sean Scott and Dan Hyde and two goals to Gary Ingram.
"We did go really well," said coach Chris Bamford. "I'm really happy."
"It was good to knock the favourite off. They made too many mistakes and we jumped on the back of them.
"Our defence was awesome.
"It was really the whole team. I couldn't fault any of the boys."
Needing to back up in the quarter finals on Saturday, the Hurricanes came up against Wagga Brothers, who were still reeling after the unexpected death of a highly regarded clubman on Friday afternoon.
Hyde again scored and so did the evergreen Willy Newton, with Ingram adding one conversion to take the win 10-0.
In the semi-final, the Hurricanes went down 12-4 to eventual tournament winner Southcity Bulls, with Newton again being the tryscorer.
"Willy scored a try in every game he played," Bamford said. "His run off halfback with Sean was great.
"Troy Preston, he went well. Kye Longford was impressive. The new blokes bonded and went well together."
Another new recruit from Leeton, Gregg Staines, also shone for his new club.
"He's only a young bloke," Bamford said. "I said to come over and I would have a look at him. He played at prop and second row, lock, everywhere in the forward pack."
Hosts West Wyalong and fellow Group 20 club Darlington Point-Coleambally were bundled out in the first round. However, Tullibigeal Lakes United also got the semi-final, to be downed 10-0 by Woden Valley.
Next on the schedule is the Paul Kelly Memorial Group 20 pre-season knockout to be hosted by Hay.
"We're looking good for that, so is TLU and Wyalong," Bamford said. "They'll be the heavyweights in the knockout."