DORA Creek Swampies were pipped 12-10 by Kotara Bears in their Newcastle Hunter Rugby League A Grade match at Neville Thompson Oval on Saturday.
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There was a healthy crowd on hand for Old Boys and Sponsors Day at Dora Creek, but Kotara didn’t follow the script.
Dora Creek prop Diamond Charlie crashed over from close range to open the scoring, and Blake Dinham’s conversion gave the home team a 6-nil advantage which they maintained until half time.
Kotara twice had try-scoring opportunities called back in the opening stanza, and would have gone to the break feeling unlucky.
But they quickly levelled the scores in the second half.
Dora Creek responded when Blake Moroney drew two defenders and put winger Jake Mitchell over to score in the corner. The kick was not converted.
Kotara again hit back with a try, and their conversion gave them a two-point edge which Dora Creek could not claw back.
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Dora Creek Swampies secretary Josh Lyden said it was a frustrating afternoon for the home team.
“Dora Creek threw everything at Kotara in the the last 10 minutes but were their own worst enemy at times, and Kotara’s defence held strong,” Lyden said.
The Swampies tried hard, but didn’t get the rewards in a stop-start affair.
“Captain and fullback Mitch Kauffman tried to spark something for the team all day, while forwards Brendan Quigg and Diamond Charlie were strong in defence,” Lyden said.
In the Ladies League Tag curtain-raiser, Dora Creek Swampettes defeated Awabakal 18-nil.
“Georgia Bragg and Jaymie-Lee Gilmore both bagged doubles in the convincing win,” Lyden said.
The Swampies will take on second-placed Stockton this Sunday, at Stockton.