Rutherglen outclass Wahgunyah as arch rivals clash on Good Friday

The Cats won all four quarters and built as the game went on to capture a 12.9 (81) to 4.7 (31) victory.

First-year defenders Nick Cofield and Adam Enever were rarely beaten in the contest, while the experience of Josh Quick and Ian Kay off half back was key to Rutherglen's transition from defence.

Cats' coach Steve Owen was pleased with the way his side ground out the win and particularly how it finished each quarter.

"We always knew it was going to be a fight.

I've been told no matter where we sit on the ladder, it's always a real arm wrestle with Wahgunyah," Owen said.

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"It's good to see the hard work they did in the pre-season was rewarded.

"I really put it on them at quarter-time to take a bit more care with their disposal.

"I felt it allowed Wahgunyah to get back in the game and get scoring opportunities purely through our turnovers.

"Especially in the second half, the boys really focused on taking their time with the ball."

Ryan Jones was ruled out of the game at half-time with a lower leg injury, but it made the Cats more unpredictable with a host of rotations through the forward line.

"It's always good to have a lot of options down there rather than relying on the one person," Owen added.

Wahgunyah coach Kodee Lowe didn't make any excuses for the performance.

"I think a bit of work rate and endeavour faded away towards the end," he said.

"I think at the end of the day we weren't quite fit enough.

"I think there was about 10 blokes with cramps, but that was either side, so there was no excuses there.

"Credit to Rutherglen, they ran away with it pretty well.

"We'll regroup, we've got Wodonga Saints next week and we'll come back off the blocks."

Lowe said there was plenty of promise as key forwards Gavin Cathie and Adam Romey showed glimpses of what they're capable of, but he knows there's plenty to improve on.

"Our ball use needs to improve and we kept dropping easy ones," Lowe said.

"A little bit more match practice and they'll be clunking them.

"I'm disappointed, but we can only look up from here."

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