The win allowed Dungog to leapfrog Swansea on the ladder moving them to 19 points behind Carrington on 26, Kotara 22 with Swansea and Stroud both on 18 and Abermain the only other team in finals contention on 14.

Dungog got away to a perfect start with winger Hamish Evans scoring a converted try from the first set of six in the game.

The Warrior continued to gain good field position but the Swansea defence was equal to the task.

Both teams were completing their sets and scoring chances were few and far between although wingers Aaron Cottam and Hamish Evans were looking dangerous when they got the ball.

Forwards Dave Seers and Wes Neilson were getting through a power of work and second rower Luke Rits was certainly proving a handful for the Swansea defence.

Swansea were having trouble cracking the Dungog defensive line but they did manage to cross out wide for a converted try just before half-time.

With plenty at stake both teams threw themselves into the contest in the second half.

Swansea could find no way through the Warriors line but a midfield crossfield kick was a different matter with the Swansea winger regathering before offloading for a converted try to hit the lead 12-6 at the 50 minute mark.

Dungog’s second half performances recently have left a lot to be desired but there was no evidence of this against Swansea.

Dungog simply rolled up their sleeves and got on with the job.

Daniel Bates, who was doing a great job getting the Warriors on the attack from dummy half, brought the scores back level when he went over from close range for a converted try midway through the second half.

Dungog were getting through their sets as good as they have all year which enabled them to exert more pressure on the Swansea defensive line which cracked when Luke Ritz crashed over for a converted try to take the lead 18-12 with 10 minutes to go.

Swansea tried to respond but Dungog iced the game when Will Palermo finished of a clever piece of play involving Daniel Bates and James Foot to cross in the corner. 

Phil Badior, whose goalkicking has been a feature in a lot of the Warriors wins this year, slotted the sideline conversion to bring up a perfect four from four with the boot allowing Dungog to run out winners 24-12 to jump into third spot on the ladder.

It was a great, tough satisfying win from the Warriors, who although are still missing a couple of players are starting to show that they have the side capable of giving the competition a real shake this year if they continue to put in the effort and commitment that was on display against Swansea.

Dave Seers capped of a great game by picking up best forward while Jackson Bell whose defence out wide cut short plenty of Swanseas attacking raids picked up best back and players’ player.

The Warriors next game is against Abermain at Abermain this Saturday at 2pm.

Abermain after picking up a few new players recently have been the form side of the competition over the past month and need to beat Dungog to have any chance of making the semi-finals s so it promises to be a great game of rugby league.

It will certainly be a tough ask for Dungog so hop in the car and head over to Abermain and support the Warriors in their quest for this year’s premiership.

Dungog 24: H Evans, D Bates, L Rits, W Palermo tries. P Badior 4 goals

Swansea 12:  2 tries, 2 goals