Running rugby is alive and well after the Dubbo Kangaroos turned on the razzle-dazzle to score 10 tries in their demolition of the Dubbo Rhinos 62-3 and retain the Mark Melville Cup at No.1 Oval on Saturday.

It was the fifth successive time the Roos have won the Mark Melville silverware against their cross-town rivals, but what was more important was the way they did it.

With halves Will Leader and Mark Daley showing the way behind a committed scrum, the ball was given plenty of air, the backs responded and the big crowd loved it.

The focus on switches of attack, support for the ball carrier in numbers and a determination to win paid rich dividends for the defending premiers.

Unfortunately for the Rhinos, their semi-final aspirations are in some state of disarray and the loss means they are now placed equal sixth with 37 points and alongside Forbes.

While the Roos (67 points), Bathurst Bulldogs (60) and Narromine (54) have the top three positions wrapped up, with three home and away matches to be played the dog fight is on for the final two spots in the top five.

CSU Bathurst (39) and Orange Emus (38) are there currently but even Orange City (34) can cause a surprise.

Only time will tell.

At Dubbo on Saturday the sun was shining but not on the Rhinos club, beaten in all four grades. They didn’t score a try in any game and in fact their only points came in first grade from a Matt Nicholson penalty goal.

The Roos got up 34-0 in seconds, 7-0 thirds and 19-0 in Colts.

What is definite for the Roos, they will be the Central West Club Champions for 2008.

The premiership grand finals in all grades are yet to be served up.