After an almost flawless first half where they ran in seven tries, a few bad habits returned in the second half to slightly take thr gloss off what was a very good win.

With Dungog only a point above the Griffins on the ladder, a win was crucial to both teams it was Dungog who dominated all facets of play in the first half.

Centre James Foot opened the scoring for the Warriors i nside the first two minutes and when Tim Harlow combined with Jake Clifton to send Guy Russell in for a try not long after Dungog had set up an early 10-0 lead.

The Warriors were dominating field position, and when Easts had a player sinbinned midway through the half, the Warriors didn’t take long to take advantage when winger Hamish Evans eluded several defenders to cross under the posts.

Second rowerAsh Evans was next to score and when Nathan Ward combined with Lee Nevin for Nevin to go over and touch down, Dungog were in complete control.

Further tries to front rower Tim Harlow and Guy Russell his second along with five conversions had Dungog heading to the break with an insurmountable 38-0 lead.

As good as the Warriors were in the first half, the second half was the complete opposite.

Ball control has been the one thing that has consistently stopped Dungog from showing its true potential, and instead of going on with the job in the second half, their hands continually let them down.

The Warriors continued to create opportunities but adropped ball or poor pass negated any chance of adding to their tally.

East Maitland took advantage of Dungog’s failure to hang on to the ball by running in two tries and conversions and it took until the final seconds of the game for the Warriors to add to its tally when Luke Rits went over for a converted try and a 44-12 win.

There was certainly a lot to like about Dungogs efforts on the weekend and still plenty of improvement to come and when they finally put it together for the full eighty minutes they will be a match for any side in the competion.

This Saturday sees the much anticipated clash between the high flying Stroud Raiders and the Warriors set down for a 2.30pm kickoff at Stroud.

With Stroud already having a semi final ticket booked, Dungog currently five points behind them on the ladder will need to be at its best if they hope to come away with the two points.  

Stroud have had the wood on Dungog in recent times with Dungog’s charity shield win earlier this year - its only win from the last eight clashes between the two sides.

One thing for sure is it will be a hell of a game and definitely not one to miss.