RUGBY UNION
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THERE was no lack of frustration at Ashwood Park on Saturday as Bathurst played host to Mudgee, but at least Bulldogs co-coach Brian Roberson had a Central West Rugby Union win to celebrate at full-time.
Bulldogs held off a resurgent Mudgee to win a dour contest 23-19 and Roberson knows his men were lucky to earn what was their second win of the season.
The hosts gave away a string of penalties at the breakdown, twice sent a kick-off out on the full and had two players yellow carded - Izaak Breen for a high tackle and Peter Fitzsimmons for a scuffle.
But Mudgee were also far from polished. Dave Smith was yellow carded for the incident involving Fitzsimmons, while Cameron Rosamond was given 10 minutes on the sideline for leading with his knees in a tackle.
Three times in the first half the Wombats failed to find touch from a kick after being awarded a penalty and they too gave away penalties at the breakdown.
"No we didn't make that easy on ourselves, absolutely not, but I was really proud that we stuck it out for the full 80," Roberson said.
"That second half was a dour struggle and I am just happy to get away with a win in the end.
"Definitely they had the momentum, they had things going their way I thought. It was very, very frustrating for our boys at the breakdown where Mudgee were very spoiling.
"That really, really frustrated our guys to no end. We have to get better at clearing out when teams use those spoiling tactics. I am proud at the end that we got away with it, but we certainly have a lot of work to do."
Mudgee coach Neil McDonald felt that a number of calls went against his side in the final 10 minutes after they had worked their way back into the contest.
The Wombats came from 17-0 down to trail 20-19 with 13 minutes left, but that is as close as they got.
A successful Kurt Weekes penalty goal four minutes from time after Mudgee players were ruled to have come in at the side of the ruck ensured the hosts escaped with the win.
"I am accountable for losses, but what about the referees?," McDonald said.
The Bulldogs laid the platform for their win in the first half as they notched up 17 points before Mudgee got on the board.
Josh Lee opened scoring with a nice individual effort. He found space down the left wing, kicked back inside and chased through so when a Mudgee defender fumbled, he was there to dive on the ball.
Flyhalf Sam Roberson scored Bathurst's second 11 out from the break as he shrugged off three would be defenders to cross under the sticks. Weekes converted both then booted a penalty goal to make it 17-0.
Mudgee managed to hit back before the break via fullback Daniel Niumata and he converted his own try to make it 17-7.
After play resumed Weekes extended the Bulldogs' lead to 13 as he kicked another penalty, but Mudgee lifted to keep the contest alive.
Josh Cookson and Adam Rayner scored in the space of five minutes to make it game on before Weekes' third penalty goal of the match sealed a Bulldogs win.
BATHURST BULLDOGS 23 (Josh Lee, Sam Roberson tries; Kurt Weekes 3 penalty goals; Kurt Weekes 2 conversions) defeated MUDGEE WOMBATS 19 (Daniel Niumata, Adam Rayner, Josh Cookson tries; Daniel Niumata 2 conversions)