In his last game at the helm, Bulldogs coach Phil Williams said the Bulldogs can justifiably be proud of their achievement of having four teams in the finals.

The Bulldogs lost 30-10 to reigning premiers Lakes United in first grade and the reserve grade and under-19 teams also bowed out.

However, Kurri’s open grade team has progressed to the major semi-final after holding off a late Lakes United comeback to win 30-28, after leading 20-10 at half-time.

“It was a disappointing result on the day, but I am so proud of this club’s achievements this year,” he said.

“To have all four teams in the finals is a fantastic effort by this club I love so much.

“It’s a great achievement by all the players and everyone involved with the club.”

Williams will be replaced by Bulldogs assistant coach Ron Griffiths with the club announcing the change before the Newcastle Rugby League bye with two rounds remaining in the home and away season.

It followed the same policy in 2013 when Williams was named coach and the Bulldogs under George Ndaira made the grand final after an amazing winning streak just to qualify for the finals.

Williams said it could have been disruptive, but to the credit of the playing group they stuck together and gave him full support for the remainder of the season.

The scores on Saturday were level at 6-all after 25 minutes, but three tries in 15 minutes to Lakes, including a double to prop Chanse Burgess, turned the game.

“We made too many simple errors which gave them too much of the ball,” Williams said.

“Brad Murray’s kicking game was outstanding and they just ground us out of it. That is what defending premiers do.

“I though we were able to control Chris Adams, but Murray had a terrific game.

“We just had no answers to his kicking game, he kept the pressure on us all the time.”

Williams said while the Bulldogs fell down in execution the effort across the whole team could not be faulted.

“Ben Wyborn in his 100^th game just tried his guts out. He does that every week. He’s a football and never gives in,” he said.

“Mick Steele, Brady Hammond and Jayden Young were also very good for us, but you couldn’t fault the effort of every player in the team and across all the grades on Saturday.

“I’m really proud of them all and what we achieved as a club.”

Relieved Lakes United coach Dean Noonan has been waiting for the Seagulls to recapture the form that led them to Newcastle Rugby League premiership last year.

“It’s no secret that we have not been at our best,” Noonan said. “That was a performance we needed to find. It was about our defensive effort. If you can get your defence right, you will be fine.”

Cessnock under 19s and Kurri Kurri’s open grade team are the sole Coalfields teams left in the Newacastle RL finals race.

The young Goannas booked a place in next week’s minor semi-final with a 28-24 win against the Bulldogs.

Kurri’s reserve grade were defeated 26-14 by Macquarie Scorpions.

Maitland Pickers lost 18-8 to Macquarie in the open grade elimination final.