For the third game in a row the Dungog Warriors have put their loyal supporters through a nail-biting final 20 minutes before coming up with a 36-34 win over Woodberry at Woodberry on Saturday.
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Leading 28-10 at half-time and up 34-16 with 20 minutes to go the Dungog defence went to sleep allowing Woodberry to run in three converted tries to lock the game up 34 all with 15 to go.
A Phil Badior penalty goal four minutes from full-time was enough to get the Warriors over the line and pick up the 2 points.
Dungog got off to a flyer with four tries and three conversions inside the first 20 minutes.
Three of these were scored by winger Aaron Cottam courtesy of two intercepts and a clever piece of play down the blindside, while the other try was scored by centre Jackson Bell.
Woodberry replied with a try of their own before second rower Cody Warwick extended Dungogs lead to 28-4 when he crossed for a meat pie. Woodberry completed the scoring for the half when they got on the outside of the Dungog defence in a length of the field try on the stroke of halftime.
The second half started with Woodberry crossing for a converted try with their first set of six.
Captain coach Nathan Ward, who was proving more than a handful for the Woodberry defence, put the Warriors out to an 18 point lead when he split the defence to run 30 metres for a converted try at the 50 minute mark.
Dungog appeared to have the game under control but three converted tries to Woodberry in six minutes midway through the half certainly put the cat among the pigeons.
The first was a barge over try from close range and the next two Woodberry once again got on the outside of the Warriors defence to score. Woodberry had a head full of steam but Dungog to its credit awoke from its slumber in time to stave of further damage.
Dungog managed to exert some pressure of its own and this forced a line drop out which inexplicably went out on the full giving Phil Badior a simple penalty goal attempt which he calmly sent sailing between the posts five minutes from full-time.
The Warriors managed to control the final stages and after getting an almighty scare in the second half ran out winners 36-34.
Dungog were easily the better side for 80 per cent of the game but their inability to close out games when leading comfortably nearly came back to bite them on the proverbial last Saturday. I
Inn saying that any win at Woodberry is a good win and with Stroud losing at the weekend Dungog now find themselves in fourth spot on the ladder.
Dungog 36 A Cottam 3, J Bell, N Ward, C Warwick tries. P Badior 6 goals.
Woodberry 34 6 tries , 5 goals
RSL Best Back & Players Player Aaron Cottam ,Best Forward Nathan Ward
This Saturday at Bennett Park at 2.30 Dungog take on Swansea in what should be a cracking game of footy.
With Dungog a point behind Swansea on the ladder a win by the Warriors will catapult them into third place on the ladder so get along to the park and support the Warriors as they look to cement their position in the top five.
