The Dungog Warriors are still in the race for a semi-final spot after accounting for fourth placed Lambton 34-18 at Lambton on Saturday.
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It was another great all round team effort from the Warriors following on from last weeks draw against Thornton/Beresfield and shows just what the team is capable of when they get close to its best team on the paddock.
With two rounds to go Dungog sit a point outside the top five and need to win both remaining games to guarentee a spot in the semis.
The Warriors took to the field sporting black armbands and a minutes silence was observed due to the passing away of Dungog life member Rita Bosworth last week.
Rita would certainly have been happy with the Warriors start to the game with two tries in the first 15 minutes shooting Dungog to a 10-0 lead. Firstly Lee Nevin swooped on a loose ball to race 80 metres to score and this was followed by Jake Clifton doing his best Robbie Farah impersonation by kicking ahead from dummy half near the line and winning the race for the ball to score.
Front rowers Matt Cotter and Jack Greentree were leading the way for the Warriors with some powerful running and in the back row Zac Thackeray Luke Rits and Mitch Wratten were heavily involved in both attack and defence.
A injury to centre Jackson Bell forced Thackeray into the centre role but this did nothing to hamper the Warriors. Lambton had a chance to score midway through the half courtesy of an intercept but a superb chase and tackle from Hamish Evans prevented a certain try.
The Kingfishers finally got on the board when a fortuitous bounce from a chip kick had them going over for a converted try.
A few mistakes and a lack of concentration crept into the Warriors game approaching half time and back-to-back penalties gave Lambton good field position and another converted try had them going to the break with a 12-10 lead .
Dungog were the better side for the majority of the half but found themselves behind on the scoreboard but it didn’t take long after the resumption for Dungog to hit back.
A penalty that failed to find touch from the home side saw Lee Nevin regather the ball near halfway, beat the first attempted tackle before running through the middle of the Lambton defence and out pacing the fullback in a great indivual effort to cross for a converted try.
Lambton tried to get back into the game via its big forwards but the Warriors defence was equal to the task but the effort required was certainly draining the Warriors energy but they refused to buckle.
Then came the play of the day midway through the half.
With a few penalties going the Kingfishers way the home side looked certain to score but a jolting front on tackle from hafback Jake Clifton forced the ball loose only for winger Hamish Evans to pick up the ball and outpace the chasers in a 90-metre run to the line.
The successful conversion by Lee Nevin had Dungog up by 10 with 20 to go.
Lambton gave themselves a chance when its halfback crossed for a converted try but it was the Warriors day and they closed the gane out in the last 10 minutes with tries to Luke Mellon who avoids the nudie run with his first four-pointer of the year and Hamish Evans who capped of great game when he crossed for his second try.
Two successful conversions had Dungogs season still alive with a 34-18 victory.
It was a great all-round effort by the Warriors and if they continue it this present form are a big chance of knocking over second-placed Raymond Terrace next game.
Great to see captain coach Wes Nielson play the full 40 minutes of the second half and his precence on the field can never be underestimated .
RSL best back Zac Thackary,RSL best forward Matt Cotter, players’ player Wes Neilson , Ray’s reserve Luke Mellon
The Warriors have next week off before taking on Raymond Terrace in our last home game of the year on Saturday, August 9 at 2.30pm.
The game also doubles as sponsors’ day and this year will also coincide with a reunion of the premiership winning 1994 side coached by Tony Townsend.
So make sure you get along and cheer on the Warriors in its last home game.
Finally the club would like to extend its condolences to the family of life member Rita Bosworth who passed away last week.
Rita, who along with her late husband Fred, was a tireless worker for the club and ran the canteen on behalf of the club for many years and her smiling face was always on show whenever the Warriors played at home.