KEEP the faith.

That’s the message from Orange Hawks prop Sam Sotogi ahead of tomorrow’s clash with fellow Group 10 premier league cellar dwellers Lithgow Workies at Wade Park.

Both Hawks and Workies sit winless, anchored on the bottom of the 2016 ladder in ninth and eight place respectively, and gun two blues recruit Sotogi says the young Hawks side has banded together this week to help the club score its first top grade win of the season this weekend.

“It hasn’t been a good start to the year with results, but all of the boys are keeping the faith,” Sotogi said.

“We’re looking forward to the game against Lithgow. They’ve been in the same situation as us, but we just worry about ourselves and trying to get that win.”

Sotogi hails from New Zealand, and originally made the trip across the Tasman as a 20-year-old bound for the Gold Coast.

He played three season with Runaway Bay Seagulls in the Gold Coast Tweed A grade rugby league competition before linking with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.

Now 25, Sotogi is the leader of a young Hawks pack.

He’s relishing the challenge of mustering up the two blues go forward each week - a task that will no doubt be made tough tomorrow with the likes of Lithgow behemoths Chris Rhodes and Brenden West patrolling the middle third of the field for the Jono Van Veen-led Workies side.

“I do feel a little bit (of pressure) considering our team is a young one this year,” he said.

“There’s only a few of us senior guys. I don’t mind being in the middle but there is a responsibility to get the team forward. 

“I’ve heard Lithgow is a bit of a big side this year and I haven’t seen them play much this year but I’m up for the challenge and I know all of the other boys are up for the challenge too. 

“We’re looking forward to the weekend.”

A win would be a huge momentum booster for Hawks, a team that has competed with most sides this season before falling away late in contests.

Sotogi added the key to remaining in the fight was simple - complete each set.

“And try to gel together more,” he said.

“Stick together as one and hopefully that’ll allow us to get the win.”

Sunday’s games begin with league tag at 11.30am before the premier league clash between Workies and Hawks kicks off at 12.30pm.

ORANGE HAWKS: 1 Jedd Kennedy, 2 Jordan Baker, 3 Jack Aumuller, 4 Viane Falaniko, 5 Mick Cooper, 6 Kyle Robbins, 7 Brodie Christopherson, 8 Luke Coyte, 9 Liam Brodrick, 10 Sam Sotogi, 11 Max Wolfson, 12 Jack Middleton, 13 Nathan Potts