What was expected to be a nightmare start to the Southern District competition for the Albury Wodonga Steamers has proved anything but after Saturday’s 55-7 demolition of CSU in Wagga.

The Blue and Golds led 38-7 at half-time, a second-half downpour making handling even more difficult on an already water-logged Beres Ellwood Oval.

Hard-working flanker Liam Krautz was again among the Steamers’ best, but it was two former Ag College players, Hugh Erwin and off-season pick-up Scott Ison, who rounded out the best three.

Coach Mick Raynes again downplayed the margin, suggesting the opposition was under-strength and rocked by the sudden passing of clubman Michael Campbell-Jones during the week.

“It is almost cut and paste from last week,” he said.

“The Reddies were close to a second-grade squad but you can’t do much more than beat what is in front of you.

“The first 20 minutes was just about perfect wet-weather rugby, solid one-pass phases, but then we started to lose our way, throwing silly passes and generally losing our structure.

“It will again be the focus ahead of a third game against a Wagga club this weekend.”

Raynes didn’t use the wet weather as an excuse.

“They had had plenty of rain but the pitch wasn’t too bad,” he said.

“It really was a day for 10-man rugby and not a day to try to string four or five passes together.”

But Raynes was full of praise for his hard-working forwards, in particular English prop Arran Macdougall.

“They were undermanned in the forwards and we dominated that side of the game,” Raynes said.

“Our forwards worked really well off the ball and Macdougall was outstanding.

“He is fitter and faster this year and was in and under all day.”

Tom Boyle’s groin injury was the only worry from the game, but the Steamers will be without captain Richard Manion and Macdougall for Friday night’s clash with the unbeaten Wagga City.

“It will be a challenge for us playing on a Friday night up there in Wagga and against a team that is building some momentum. Both Manion and Macdougall are unavailable, so that will test our depth,” he said.