The equation in the end was starkly simple, five errors by the Goannas and five tries for the Rosellas.

“It was a pretty tight game, there were some really pleasing aspects, but just too many errors was what cost us in the end,” Goannas coach Steve Kidd said.

“They got a try off our first set. We dropped the ball off a bomb in the second half and they scored and a couple of other times we dropped the ball first tackle and they scored off the next set.

“It was five tries from five errors.

“We competed very well, we done some nice stuff as well. There were plenty of positives but we’ve just got to cut some errors out now.

“Kurt Wardon up front was outstanding, he got the players’ player. Chris Pyne got the coaches award he was really good on the wing, he had plenty of carries. He led from the front with his experience so that was really good.

A”lec Fata was very good, Brendan Hlad first up with no trials was really good off the bench and Sam Apthorpe and Reed Hugo were outstanding as well.

“There were plenty of good performers but we just need to cut out mistakes and I think we’ll win more games than we lose.”

Kidd said the complexion of the game may have changed if Cessnock were not denied a try with the scores at 16-10 with 10 minutes to go.

“We were a bit unlucky they dropped the ball and we got a runaway but they called the ball back and give us a scrum feed. They should have just played advantage but they didn’t, that’s the way it goes.

That probably changed the game, we dropped the ball the next set and then they scored. It went from 16-10 to 20-10 instead of 16-all.

“It was a big swing but that didn’t cost us the game, we needed to defend our errors better than we did.”

Cal Orchard suffered a neck injury and will not play against Souths this week.