The Mudgee Dragons found the defensive formula that had been missing from their past few matches to win a thrilling Group 10 minor semi-final 24-18 at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Stadium.

The home side came back from an eight-point halftime deficit to end Bathurst Panthers’ incredible winning streak.

Goal-kicking proved to be the major difference as both sides scored four tries – Josh Crowe had a 100 per cent record for Mudgee compared with Blake Lawson’s one conversion.

However, the game was on a knife’s edge in the dying stages as Panthers searched for that elusive fifth try.

They came close several times and it appeared five-eighth Matt Rose had the ball over the line with two minutes to go, but Dragons fullback Nathan Orr somehow stopped him.

It was that type of defence that Mudgee used to win 10 consecutive games earlier in the season.

“We made a habit of defending our line and that is how it all started – just defending our line, and that’s what we did today,” injured Dragons player-coach Jack Afamasaga said.

“We have gone back to defending for your mate and not letting your mate down.”

Both sides’ play was error-riddled and ill-disciplined, but Panthers coach John Fearnley said that was the pressure of semi-final footy.

“It was a pretty tough game – just how semi-finals should be played,” he said.

“Just a couple of times, even towards the end, we were a chance of winning.

“We missed a few opportunities there today, but we are not too far away from beating the top sides.”

The loss ends Panthers’ season and incredible run of fortune, which began with a 34-12 victory over Mudgee in July and took them into the top five.

“Our blokes had a big back-end to the year. It is a really good stepping stone for next year,” Fearnley said. 

“I’m really, really proud of what they’ve done in the last six to seven weeks.” 

It might have been the nerves, but neither team looked like semi-finalists in the opening stages as plenty of ball went to ground.

Mudgee had a chance of posting first points, but Hamish Bryant was penalised for a double movement.

At the other end, Panthers were able to make it count when Lawson scored the first of his three tries in the 14th minute.

Panthers scored two tries in as many minutes to make it 14-6 at half-time, before Mudgee came back.

When Panthers closed the gap to 24-18, after Lawson scored his third from a chip-kick, the game was set for a big finish.

Panthers peppered Mudgee’s line with kicks and strong runs, but the Dragons held them out.

With 20 seconds left, a last-ditch grubber kick by Blake Dean for Lawson was tapped out behind the dead ball line by Tom Lewsley to conclude the game.

Lawson was outstanding for Panthers, as were Blake and Brent Seager, while Jake Betts never backed down.

MUDGEE DRAGONS 24 (Corin Smith 2, Nathan Orr, Jared Robinson tries; Josh Crowe 4 goals) def BATHURST PANTHERS 18 (Blake Lawson 3, Chris Shephard tries; Lawson goal).