The Bulldogs have fallen just short of a classic upset after pushing ladder-leaders Young in a free-scoring 36-24 affair at Alfred Oval.
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The visiting Bulldogs recovered from an 14-point deficit at halftime to sit only six points adrift at 30-24 in the 76th minute, however a Cherrypickers try in the dying seconds ended any prospect of a famous underdog victory.
Rookie centre Lachie Williams scored a first-half hattrick for Young but tries to Matthew Forsyth and Aaron Byrne kept the Bulldogs in within striking distance before another Cherrypickers’ try in the throes of halftime saw the hosts take a decisive 26-12 lead into the sheds.
A 48th minute try to Jack Bush pushed the lead out to 18 but the Bulldogs were far from finished, bagging two tries through Joshua Black and Jason Cronin to sit only four points adrift with four minutes to play.
However, with time almost up, Young forward Will Scott ended Cootamundra’s hopes with a last minute try to blow the scoreline out on what was a hard-fought battle.
Matthew Forsyth was impressive off the tee, kicking four goals and bagging the first try whilst Jason Cronin continues to impress at the top level after a solid performance.
Coach Warren Lloyd said it was a vastly improved second half but early lapses had to be addressed.
“Every week we're competing and today saw us play a very good half of football, but four-minute lapse of concentration cost us three tries,” Lloyd said.
“Really, we could have gone into halftime with the lead and played from in front.”
“We had a great chat at the break and put the focus back on maintaining concentration which saw us right in there towards the end.”
Lloyd credited the boisterous Young side but said the penalty count continued to hurt his team.
“Young were very hard to contain, particularly in the middle, but those 50-50 calls weren’t helping again today.”
“Few different calls and who know’s what might have happened?”
The Bulldogs coach is relishing the prospect of taking down his former side when Kangaroos Wagga make the journey north to Fisher Park next weekend.
“I’m very excited and I’d really like to win this one,” he said.
“It’ll be an interesting game with the Kangaroos starting to find some form so we’ll just keep with them and see what happens on the day.”
