Kurri Kurri's agonising run of close losses continues with a last-minute Cessnock Goannas grabbing victory with a last-minute converted try on Saturday.
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In a see-sawing affair, the Bulldogs led 14-12 at half-time, and were up 18-16 with a minute remaining.
“One tackle and 10 seconds was the difference between winning and losing,” Bulldogs coach Phil Williams said on Sunday.
“It hurts. The players, the fans are all hurting, but we cannot seem to finish off games.
“A game of rugby league goes for 80 minutes not 79 minutes and 50 seconds.”
The win cements the Goannas place in the Newcastle Ruby League top five with eight competition points from their seven games and follows victory against competition leaders Western Suburbs the week before.
Williams said it was disappointing to know the Bulldogs could alos have been in the Newcastle Rugby League top five with a win.
“If we had finished better in the close losses and won we would be well and truly in the top five,” he said.
“There’s a gap now between us and the top five, but we have the opportunity to turn things around and can still make the finals.
“But we can’t muck about anymore, winning every game from now on is crucial if we are going to have a crack at finals.”
Williams said he again couldn’t fault his team’s endeavour and effort but they were losing games they should have won because of an inability to control games at critical moments.
“The end result comes down to that final 10 seconds, but we should not have been in that position,” he said.
“We made costly errors throughout the game and were unable to shut it down when we had the chances.”
The Bulldogs were without key playmaker Ryan Walker, who scored two tries in the Newcastle Rebels 28-6 win against Canberra in the Country Championships at Dubbo's Caltex Park.
Williams said the absence of Walker’s experience should not be used as an excuse.
He said Walker was an important player for the Bulldogs but there was plenty of first grade experience still in the side capable of managing the game at the end.
“We just have to get back on the track and work on those deficiencies and errors which are costing us games,” he said.
Scores
Cessnock Goannas 22 def Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 18
Kurri Kurri Try Scorers - T Dow-Nikau 2, P Dinauvoli, B Wyborn. Goals - K Hardy 1.
Cessnock Try Scorers - S Mercalf, C Orchard, K Barber, U Baker. Goals - B Mendyk 3.
Reserve Grade: Kurri Kurri 22 def Cessnock 16
Open Grade: Kurri Kurri 16 def Cessnock 12
Under 19: Kurri Kurri 18 def Cessnock 16
