RUGBY UNION
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BATHURST Bulldogs colts coach Damien Grant was forced to tell some harsh home truths in the dressing sheds at Dubbo’s Victoria Park on Saturday after his men went down 35-9 to Orange City in the major semi-final.
Not only did Bulldogs miss out on a direct path to Central West Rugby Union grand final day, the brand of rugby they produced against City was well below what was required.
“City wanted it and we didn’t and it is as simple as that,” Grant said.
“The team that played last week [and beat Dubbo 21-8] wasn’t the team that turned up this week - I think it was just complacency and poor preparation.
“I had to give them some home truths, which is not a nice thing after a loss, but I certainly believe they have got the ability to do it. But if they are going to do it, they have to play with a lot better attitude.
“We missed a few tackles, our line-out was poor and our set pieces weren’t good - there weren’t a lot of highlights at all.”
Seven days earlier in the major preliminary semi-final, the Bulldogs’ defence had been impressive. Rivals Dubbo Kangaroos only managed to breach the Bathurst line in the final five minutes.
This time around that sort of defensive starch was missing as minor premiers Orange City took an early advantage they never surrendered.
“We let in two really early tries, they were really soft tries and we made a lot of mistakes. When you are down 12-0 in a game like this – you can’t do it, you can’t let yourself get 12-0 down,” Grant said.
A pair of penalty goals from winger Josh Weekes gave the Bulldogs a sniff as they clawed it back to 15-6 by half-time and when the Bathurst kicker raised the flags for another three-pointer after play resumed, Grant was hopeful.
But from being within a converted try of taking the lead, the Bulldogs faltered and City once more took control.
“When we got it back to 15-9 I was confident at that stage, but City worked back down field and kicked a penalty goal to make it 18-9 and not long after that they put a try on us to make it 25-9,” Grant said.
“They just had all the momentum.”
With Grant realising there would be no miracle comeback, he used the chance to give his bench players some game time as the clock ticked down.
The task for the coach will now be to pick his men up and have them focused for this weekend’s preliminary final.
“I think City earned the right to play in the grand final, we didn’t but we have to earn the chance to get to play them again. Like I said, I believe we have the ability to do it,” he said.
ORANGE CITY 35 defeated BATHURST BULLDOGS 9 (Josh Weekes 3 penalty goals)