Wests Magpies suffered their second successive loss at home on Saturday following a humiliating 72-point defeat at the hands of the Bankstown City Bulls, the feeder club for the Canterbury Bulldogs NRL club.
With the benefit of a player roster which more resembles a first-grade line-up as opposed to NSW Cup, the Terry Lamb-coached Bulls outfit proved too strong and too imposing for the under-strength Magpies who appeared to be overawed by the presence of so many players in the Bulls team who had played first grade at some time or another recently.
With the loss of players to first grade at Wests Tigers, injury and illness, the Magpies were forced to field a depleted line-up against Bankstown however while the match was always going to prove a significant challenge, no one would have expected such a one-sided score-line which clearly indicated the difference between the two sides on the day.
A 12-try stampede by the Bulls was set up by the Bankstown forward pack that exerted their strength, speed and superiority over the Magpies pack from the opening minutes of the match.
The Magpies' defence in the middle of the ruck was soft and at times almost non-existent as the Bulls' big mobile forwards took every opportunity to take advantage of the inept Magpies defence which was unable to contain the forward momentum of the Bulls towards the try line.
After only 10 minutes of play the Bulls had raced to an 18-point lead over the stage-struck Magpies and it just got worse from that point on for Wests who went to the half-time break trailing 36 points to 6.
The only shining light for the Magpies in the first half was a well-executed backline movement which was finished off in fine style by Wests winger Charlie Herekatukutuku who proved too fast for the Bulls' cover defence as he dived over in the corner.
A fine conversion from the sideline by fullback Shannon Gallant provided the Magpies with their 6 points for the half and for many of the Wests players the half-time siren was a welcomed sound.
The resumption of play saw a more committed Magpies outfit return to the field and despite the Bulls crossing for the opening six-pointer of the second half the Magpies continued to press on in an effort to at least get them back into the contest.
Their efforts were rewarded in the 59th minute of the match when the Magpies were able to put the Bulls' defense under sustained pressure and after some incisive runs from Magpies Nathan Waters and Rocky Trimachi, the ever-present Magpies winger Charlie Herekatukutuku was on hand to finish off the movement by crossing for a well-deserved second try.
While the try was welcomed by the Magpie faithful who were on hand to support the team, it would prove to be insignificant in the final wash-up with the Bulls running out convincing victors to the tune of 72 points to 16 after the Magpies picked up a further consolation six-pointer late in the second half through back-rower Corey Vlaciky which was converted by Shannon Gallant.
Following such a poor performance it would come as no surprise that the players, coaching staff and all associated with the Magpies who were present at the ground to witness the debacle on field were bitterly disappointed, even distraught.
A meeting immediately after the conclusion of the match involving players and coaching staff behind closed doors continued for 20 minutes during which some open and frank discussion took place in an effort to determine what had gone so horribly wrong on the field.
Despite the appalling outcome, all at the club remain confident and positive with everyone determined to identify the problems which have caused the team to lose its early season form which saw the club sit at the top of the NSW Cup Competition ladder for almost the entire first half of the season so the team can regroup and focus on reclaiming that form sooner rather than later.
Following the match the chairman and general manager of the Magpies, Kevin Hammond issued an unequivocal apology on behalf of the players, the coaching staff and the club to its members and die-hard supporters for the team's poor performance.
He said: ``On behalf of the players, coaching staff and the board, I wish to unreservedly apologise to our members and our loyal supporters who turned out today, paying their admission into Campbelltown Stadium to support their team against the Bankstown City Bulls only to witness a most appalling performance which was totally unacceptable by any measure.
``The team is currently experiencing an alarming form slump which everyone at the club is working extremely hard to recover from and I can provide an assurance no stone will be left unturned in an effort to put things right and get our season back on track.
``The important thing is for everyone to keep the faith and remain positive. There's still a long way to go in the season.''
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