The red and greens fell 20-18 to the CSU Mungoes on Saturday in a match that will almost certainly have massive finals implications down the track.

After running into the breeze for the whole first half, the Waratahs dominated field position in the second but weren’t able to capitalise.

Ethan Parsons backed up his round three hat-trick with a pair of tries, making it six in four outings in this year’s Midwest New Era Cup competition.

The young five eighth is growing in confidence and is looking like one of the more dangerous Kandos players in 2018.

This doesn’t come as a shock to Ethan’s dad and club president Craig Parsons who said his son’s always had the potential to be a dominant player.

“He’s just got to back himself when he’s got the ball. When he does that, he’s sometimes unbeatable,” Parsons said.

“His biggest attribute is his blinding speed when he wants to put it on.

“He’s one of the very few people I’ve seen that can step off both feet.”

Kandos’ need for a halfback was evident on the weekend as they lacked organisation when it was needed.

Captain-coach Glen Osgood’s move to the number seven has been admirable but even ‘Juice’ would admit… he isn’t a specialist halfback.

Pre-season halfback Hayden Cini remains on the bench with an ankle injury and even though Ethan Parsons could play halfback, there’s no point weakening one spot to strengthen another.

“Josh Hook signed up to play halfback but has been injured since the pre-season,” Parsons said.

“Ethan could play halfback and there would be no dramas there, but you lose his running ability.”

In the two other New Era Cup matches, Orange Barbarians beat Portland Colts 30-18, while Blackheath smashed Lithgow 60-0.

The Kandos Tiaratahs league tag ladies fell for the first time on Saturday with a 12-6 loss against CSU Yellow but will draw confidence from the match knowing they’re only a try away from arguably the best side in the competition.

Kandos has a week to get its affairs in order before both sides travel to Tony Luchetti Showground on Sunday to take on Lithgow.