They might have been undermanned but the Platypi first grade side held their own against Orange City in Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup contest.

The sun shone on a full day of footy for the club’s family day at the Lake-side ovals, backed up by a walla carnival on Sunday.

But when it came to Saturday’s feature fixture head coach Guy Wilkinson bemoaned “a wretched run of luck” with three key forwards unavailable for the round and a second rower lost to injury in the first minute.

“The courage our guys showed, really it can’t be understated, to be as competitive as they were,” he said.

Young captain Luke McDean was outstanding under tough circumstances, Matt Kennedy in the Number 6 jersey and Josh Higgins in the Number 3 also impressed the coach.

“Higgins … the rep selectors really should be looking at him coz he’s just been outstanding,” Wilkinson said.

The Platypi were within three points, the scoreboard reading 17-20, at one point.

“Orange are a very structured team and once we made a mistake right on their line they just capitalised and scored that late try,” Wilkinson said.

“It was a pretty gutting loss but all credit to (Orange) they took their chances.”

The new head coach has faith in how this young team will shape up as the competition progresses.

“All the boys are working really hard, the commitment to training’s great, the results will come,” he said.

“We’re all pulling in one direction that’s for sure.”

But he will be looking to the side to maintain the pressure they’re capable of applying.

“We’ve been in every game: we certainly haven’t been outdone in any of them,” Wilkinson said. "

“It’d just be good to get in that winner’s circle.”