DORA Creek Swampies have crashed out of contention for the Newcastle Hunter Rugby League’s A-Grade premiership after suffering a surprise 32-12 loss to Fingal Bay in the preliminary final on Saturday.
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“I think we saved up a season’s worth of errors and made them all on Saturday,” captain-coach Brad Clark said.
The minor premiers dropped the ball from the kick-off and conceded a try within 60 seconds. That set the tone.
“We still had our chances, but just couldn’t capitalise. Then they [Fingal Bay] scored a couple of lucky tries against the run of play. It just wasn’t our day, and the score really didn’t reflect the game.”
Fullback Mitch Kaufmann and prop Beau Jones were Dora Creek’s best, Clark said.
“Mitch was just everywhere,” he said.
Clark said that despite missing a grand final berth, the Swampies had enjoyed a successful turn-around from B-grade strugglers in 2016.
“I think there were a lot of positives for us to reflect on.”
Clark will return to guide the Swampies in season 2018.