In the last home game of the year and in jerseys honouring the 1994 premiership-winning side, the Kurri Alfabs Bulldogs went down to Central 34-6 on Saturday.
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In a typical display for the year, the Bulldogs started badly and Central scored in the third minute of the game.
Then Kurri settled into play and fought back when Mitch Cullen scooped up an attempted intercept from Central and powered through a couple of defenders to score near the posts and make it 6-6.
The game was even until Central scored twice, once in the 34th minute and right on half-time to take an 18-6 lead into the break.
Ten minutes into the second half, Central stretched their lead out to 24-6 and then as the season has went for the Bulldogs, Lachie Shipard suffered a knee injury and was assisted from the field, then Tim Bennett limped off a couple of minutes later with a hip injury.
Both players are in serious doubt for the last round against Souths at Townson Oval this Saturday.
However, where there is gloom there is always light – this gave young Lachlan Macbeth his first grade debut for the season, coming onto to replace Bennett.
Macbeth is the second of last year’s under-18s to make their debut this season with Lachlan Hill debuting against West earlier in the season.
The Bulldogs held tough for more than 25 minutes, holding off several Central raids and going close themselves a number of times, until Central scored twice in the last five minutes, one after the final bell to win 34-6.
Players’ player went to Hayden Jeans and the coach’s award to Simon Craig.
The Teasdale Tyres reserve grade went down 42-28 in a topsy-turvy game.
The Bulldogs started quickly after tries to Matt Pearce, Joe Messenger (in his first game of the year) and Shane Baldwin all scored in the first 15 minutes to lead 18-0.
Then Central had their turn and came back to lead 30-18 into the second half.
Both sides traded tries to final bell. Baldwin scored his second off a good ball from Lachie MacBeth and ran 30 metres to score.
The final try was to Brett Hedges, off a masterful offload from Steve Forrest.
Players’ player and coach’s award went to Shane Baldwin.
The Criterion Hotel under-18’s were disappointing, going down 32-0 to a Central side that also beat them in the first round.
The under-18s have the bye this weekend but have qualified for the semi-finals.
Three Kurri players, past and present were honoured during the week with life membership of the Newcastle Rugby League: Shaun Collingwood (250-plus games), Mick Campton (250-plus games) and Justin Peterkin (250-plus games).
