The Ladies League Tag team suffered their first loss of the season going down 8-4 to Stroud while the All Age bounced back to the winner's stall with a 28-12 victory over Maitland United.

The All Age team travelled to Coronation Oval to take on Maitland United looking for a win to consolidate its position in the top three after two recent losses and got away to a perfect start with Will Rooke racing 50m to score a converted try inside the first five minutes.

The Warriors were dominating the early exchanges and found themselves 10-nil up when Matt Hinton crashed over the line.

United did manage to cross for a converted try on one of the few times they were up Dungog's end of the field, but Luke Rits ensured the Warriors went to the break with a handy 16-6 lead after he went over for a converted try.

The start of the second half last week against Hinton proved Dungog's downfall and the same lack of energy was on display again on Saturday with United going close to scoring a couple of times and it was only last ditch defence that denied them.

Poor ball control was making United's job easier but the Warriors managed to nullify any attacking raids coming their way and slowly regained control of the match.

A penalty goal midway through the half and a try to Lee Nevin not long after extended Dungog's lead to 22-6.

Allthough Maitland managed to get over the line it was the Warriors who had the final say when Aaron Cottom combined with Lee Nevin for Nevin to cross for his second and have Dungog running out winners 28-12.

The win lifts Dungog to second on the ladder.

The LLT team travelled over the hill on Sunday for their top of the table clash against Stroud and got away to a dream start when Emily Marshall capitilised on a Raiders mistake to cross in the corner inside the first minute.

Line breaks were hard to come by, but Lilly Hooke found some space and looked sure to score at the 10 minute mark only to be caught just short of the line.

Stroud were enjoying good field position with Dungog forced to defend their own line as half-time approached but they were up to the task and went to the break with a 4-nil lead.

The Raiders levelled the scores early in the second half when they capitilised on a Dungog error to cross out wide.

Both teams showed why they are the top two sides with a willingness to throw the ball around as well as being sound in defence.

Stroud continued to attack Dungog's line and found themselves in the lead when they crossed in the corner with seven minutes to go.

Dungog tried their hardest to get a try to level the game but the Raiders' defence was making it difficult and full-time saw the Raiders join Dungog on top of the competition ladder after what was a highly entertaining game of LLT.

Although coming off on the wrong side of the scoreboard Dungog should be proud of their effort in a game that could have gone either way

Stroud 8 2 tries

Dungog 4 E Marshall try

The LLT play Windale at Windale on Saturday at 2pm while the All Age are at home to Paterson River on Saturday at 2pm

LADDERS:

Northern Conference: Clarence Town 19, Dungog 13, Hinton 12, Stroud 12, Maitland United 10, Paterson River 4, Tea Gardens 4*, Karuah 2*. Results not available for round 1

LLT C-grade: Stroud 17, Dungog 17, Shortland 14; Maitland United 8, Clarence Town 4, Windale 0.