After a couple of indifferent mid-season performances and close scores in Midwest Rugby League's Wallerawang Landscaping Cup, the CSU Mungoes showed their other side in the competition's major semi-final to defeat Cargo 22-12.
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The final score reflected the direction of the game but CSU still had to work hard for their win at the Cargo ground under the astute refereeing of Anthony Pond.
The Heelers took early control, but against the run of play the Mungoes still managed to get first points on the scoreboard after a good try out wide to Lachie Bolton.
Down four-nil, a determined Cargo hit back within five minutes with Jake Powell's converted try.
Then Cargo pulled further ahead after a four-pointer by Lawrence Frogg, again converted, for a 12-4 lead but, eight points behind, the Mungoes were still displaying a confident attitude as their play became more settled.
With CSU's growing confidence and Bolton's second converted try the Mungoes had pulled back to within two points of the home team.
CSU's perceptible self belief was converted into solid teamwork and they pressured Cargo into a period of poor discipline, and with one of the Heelers players sin binned CSU's Callum Flanagaon scored a good individual try close to the posts to give his side a 16-12 lead.
Mungoes consolidated their dominance during the final quarter, their defence shutting down the Heelers' attack, then finished scoring for the day with Blake Schaeffer's converted try and a 10-point win.
Meanwhile, in the local derby at Orange the Warriors overturned last week's result to defeat Barbarians 32-24 in their elimination semi-final.
In leaguetag Cargo had a 50-6 win over CSU, and Oberon defeated Kandos Tiarah-tahs 26-8.
