CSU Mitchell's second grade hopes come to an end against Dubbo Rhinos

The result capped off a disappointing weekend for the CSU club, having lost its first grade major semi-final to Parkes Boars and the previously undefeated women's side losing its major semi-final to Narromine Gorillas.

CSU second grade coach Sam Chamberlain said it was difficult task for the students, who were down on numbers due to the COVID-19 lockdown in the greater Sydney region.

"Dubbo fielded a really good side and they've been one of the most consistent teams of the regular season," he said.

"We only went over to Mudgee with an 18 man squad. We were missing a lot of players because a lot of our players went to Sydney during the uni holidays and they got stuck in the lockdown.

"It's really cost us but there's not much we can do about it.

"The boys played really well. There were just a few unforced errors that probably cost us during important times in the game."

While Chamberlain was disappointed with the loss, he was pleased with the performance from his forward pack, particularly of loose head prop Andrew Dowe, who played his last game for the club ahead of his graduation this year.

"It was probably our forward pack's best performance all year. They dominated the scrum and they got two turnovers from it.

"Andrew Dowe, who was playing his last game, he was voted man of the match for us."

Chamberlain is now hoping to keep a majority of the second grade squad together as it builds towards the 2022 season.